Bintang : 115ft Schooner

Bintang Surf Charters. Mentawai | Telos | Banyaks

Bintang is a sturdy-sleek stay sail schooner built by Classic Yachts in Perth in 1988. Bintang is 115 feet overall, with a beam of 28 feet. Under 165 HP of diesel power she cruises at 8 knots powered by an 8LXB Gardner diesel.

Bintang's speed increases to 13 knots when all the sheets are up and tight: Bintang is an ocean going sail boat and when the rough weather comes we start going fast. That's when Bintang takes off up to 13 knots and gives us the ability to get to the different spots quicker. After that speed we start to decrease sail for safety.

Bintang has multiple diesel-powered generators electrifying a full array of the best communication and navigation electronics: SSB and VHF radio, autopilot, radar, GPS echo sounder and position beacon. That quality extends to the comfort and entertainment of guests as Bintang has a 500 square foot salon equipped with state of the art entertainment center with TV, VCR and digital machines for replaying the surfing recorded that day, and a DVD/CD surround sound system for catching up on all the latest movies and music. Should anything go wrong, Bintang has AMSA / USCG fire-fighting equipment, a life raft and life jackets for 18 people, and an EPIRB position beacon so the rescuers will know where you are, even if you don't.

Fully-loaded, Bintang sails with as many as six crew and 12 guests. The crew cabin is in the bow, and there are four guest cabins, each equipped with one double and two single beds. There are three bathrooms. They can accommodate 10 to 14 guests with an exclusive charter, individual bookings will be capped at 10 guests.

Meals are usually taken on deck, which accommodates 14 people comfortably.

Their boat trips cover all of the Mentawais, Telos, and Banyaks, and they do trips at the end of the year up to Thailand which provides a multitide of different waves along the way. They are the sole operators and owner of the charter boat. The knowledge of our skippers is second to none in knowing when to trust the forecast or follow the conditions. There are still many waves you can surf out here alone, heavy waves for chargers, and more friendly spots for the less experienced surfer. The variety of waves are ideal for all types of surfing and they make sure they cover all bases.

 Yacht Bintang Standard Charter Inclusions:

• Bintang Shipboard Accommodation: Cabin #1: 1 forward cabin with 2 single beds + 1 double bed (sleeps 3) & Private ensuite bathroom; Cabin #2: 1 forward cabin with 2 single beds + 1 double bed (Sleeps 3) & Private ensuite bathroom; Cabin #3: 1 Stateroom with 1 king sized bed + 2 single beds (sleeps 3 or 4) & Private ensuite Bathroom; Cabin #4: 1 back cabin w/double bed + 1 single bed.(sleeps 2 or 3) w/Exterior bathroom (not private)
• Transfers to and from Padang Airport.
• You can fly in and out on the same dates of your charter. 
• 3 Awesome meals per day including snacks, desserts etc... 
• 4 Bintangs per day per guest. The guest can buy more Bintangs in Padang when everyone is together. Or buy 1 at a time at $2.50 per can when on the boat. 
• Photos will be taken bring a hard drive to transfer all the shots.    
• Full use of all amenities on board

 Extras:

30 ft speed boat 2/150hp Yamaha: AUD$1,500.00 divided by #passengers for individual trips.
Included on Group Charters.

When to Go:

The Mentawai Islands are one of the most consistent surf destinations on Earth. The ideal time to go is between March through November but even in the "off-season" of December through February there is a wave breaking somewhere every day. We recommend people looking for fun-sized waves and smaller crowds to go early in March or April or later in October and November. For all the chargers out there we suggest a trip May through September.

Bintang Features:

The Deck
Used as a BBQ, dining and general area to relax/hang out in, the Bintang's shaded rear deck hosts most of the boats entertainment. Adjacent to the rear deck and below the captains cabin, we have the air conditioned downstairs lounge. Here, you can kick back, put on some tunes or chill out to a movie. If you would like to catch some rays or just find some of your own space, they have a huge front deck to accommodate.

The Kitchen
Below deck, there is a large 20' x 5' kitchen where you're welcome to cook up the days catch or watch the chefs do their thing. the menu consists of a delicious selection of local and western dishes. There are 5 fridges and 2 deep freezes to keep everything fresh right through out your trip. Any food requirements can be accommodated upon request.

The Cellar
The cellar boasts a 120 bottle wine/spirit cellar to help celebrate after an epic day of surfing. A four pack of Bintang Larger / day / guest is included in the price. Any additional beers are available to cost price. 

The Rooms. En-suite Accommodation. 
Bintang's accommodation comprises of 2 x double cabins (both with additional single beds if needed) and 2 x triple bedrooms. With exception to one, all our rooms come en-suite with air conditioning. They have an additional shared, shower and toilet room on deck and recommend a total of ten in a group. However, the boat can accommodate up to 14 if necessary.

How:

Most of their guests fly into Singapore from their respective departure cities. From there you fly from Singapore to Jakarta, Jakarta to Padang, Sumatra.  It's a long haul but well worth the payoff when you arrive. Singapore Airlines is hands down the best carrier; their prices are affordable, they don't charge for boards, and are known as the best airline in the world.

Essentials:

The best advice when packing for a surf trip is to pack as light as possible. This fundamental rule of travel is especially true on a surf trip through the Mentawai Islands when most of your time is spent in the water. Most people bring 3-4 boards that range from their standard shortboard on up to a small gun; it helps to plan what boards you want to bring according to the swell forecast. Since there are no surf shops nearby please bring extra everything, boardshorts, leashes, fins, wax, sunblock.

Local Climate:

The local climate is considered tropical, hot, and humid with a temperature range between 70 - 90 degrees Fahrenheit or 21 - 32 degrees Celsius. 

THE WATER temperature is always around 80 degrees (27 degrees Celsius) no matter what time of year you visit. 

THE LOCAL LANDSCAPE is dense, tropical forest with four main islands and dozens of auxiliary islands - sprinkled with a few main coastal villages throughout. 

THE DRY SEASON in this area spans from February to September and the wet season typically occurs between October - January. At any time of the year however expect regular rainfall in short intervals - heavy at times. 

LOCAL WINDS surrounding this region are variable throughout most of the year but occasionally go through intermittent periods of storminess, called “Badai’s”. Mentawais lies exactly 1 degree below the Equator and as a result is not influenced by the steady easterly trade winds often associated with the rest of Indonesia - that’s what makes this area so unique!

Mentawai Islands

The Mentawai Islands are arguably the most famous surf destination in the world. Their broad exposure towards the vast, southern Indian Ocean provides these majestic islands with remarkable consistency and quality. There are great waves in this area year-round. However, the most ideal time to surf in the Mentawai’s is during the dry season, late March to early November, the southern hemisphere’s winter, when the Indian Ocean is an ultra-active, groundswell producing machine. During the entire year surf charter boats offer the average surfer the opportunity to score the best waves of their lives in the premiere surf location in the entire world, nothing else comes close... We have compiled a brief glimpse of the well-known surf spots in the Mentawai Islands that our guests will have access to. We have provided descriptions of the most well known spots - the rest you’ll have to find out about on your own!

4 Bobs:

4 Bobs is a short, playful right-hander located directly in front of Kandui Resort. Swells that break here wrap considerably around the south end of the island and break over a relatively shallow reef. If you’re fast you can take off deep and try to float the first section where most people take off; otherwise, it’s strictly a one or two turn wave. Ironically, despite it’s relatively tame appeal, 4 Bobs is a perennial favorite to almost every person who surfs it and is one of the most consistent and fun waves in the Mentawais.

A Frames:

A Frames is one of the most consistent lefts in the Mentawai Islands. Situated in front of an idyllic island it is one of the many good waves found in the Playgrounds region. There are generally two sections to surf, the top and the inside. The peaks at the top can be a bit shifty and require a fair amount of paddling around to find the right area while the inside section is more dependable and offers up a better wall to work with. A frames is easily one of the most popular spots in the Mentawai’s and is sometimes referred to as “John Candies”.

Bankvaults:

Bankvaults is a thick, barreling right punctuated by a shifting line-up. Sets seemingly emerge out of nowhere and can wreak havoc if you’re caught out of position. The ideal size to surf Bankvaults is head-high to a triple overhead, in any swell size, getting caught inside is a certainty. Despite the dangers, snag a clean, open barrel here and you’ll be talking about it for years. If it looks too heavy, Nipussi is a scant three-hundred yards to the east.

Beng Beng:

Beng Beng is an extremely rippable left located a few hundred yards away from E-Bay and Pitstops. It’s probably one of the easiest waves to surf in the Mentawai’s and is fun for surfers of all ability levels. The area surrounding Beng Beng is breathtaking as it sits nestled inside a small bay with literally one of the most scenic views imaginable all around you. The best size to surf Beng Beng is anything over shoulder high - even though it’s relatively short some people like this wave more than other waves that are considered far superior - best of all, it rarely has a boat on it so most sessions are by yourself.

Bintangs

A short and hollow right across the channel from Lance's Left. As the wave approaches the reef, the bottom drops out before barreling towards the channel.

Burgerworld:

Burgerworld is considered a last alternative when everywhere else is flat. Anything bigger than three feet here flattens out into a giant mushball. The one positive aspect about Burgerworld is its consistency; there is always something rideable here.

E-Bay:

E-bay is a fast, barreling left that gets good when it’s head high or bigger. When a pumping west swell is marching through, E-bay does a close impersonation of Padang Padang on Bali without the death cliff looming inside. The overall set-up at E-bay is flawless, stereotypical Indonesian, with beautiful, bluish-green water and tall palm trees everywhere. Besides its aesthetic beauty, double overhead E-bay is a beast and force to be reckon with.

Greenbush:

Greenbush has gained a lot of recognition and prominence in the last few years. It is a very challenging left that breaks deep inside a beautiful bay. But don’t let it’s beauty fool you! Greenbush has a relatively tame drop on the right swell but things quickly turn more perilous as you charge down the line and the reef gets shallower and shallower - eventually it becomes completely dry. If you are not a competent barrel rider or aren’t keen to leave a lot of your skin on that inside section we recommend you leave it alone!

Hideways:

Hideaways is an occasionally heavy left near the Playgrounds region that is frequently visited by Kandui guests. In the last few years it has been one of the “go to” waves because it is a lot more consistent the other world class waves in our area and can handle a lot of the more annoying wind directions like straight souths. Hideaways has the ability to be a sick cavern or offer up a rippable shoulder. You can really only surf it on medium to high tide, at low tide it sticks out of the water and unless you like reef cuts stay away!

Iceland:

Iceland is a sizable left that is known as one of the “big wave” spots in the Mentawais. It has a very large playing field and a few different take-off options including a few rights when it is small - but watch out for the paddle back out! Iceland isn’t known as a barreling wave unless it has some serious size - if big enough it will look more like Hawaii Five-O than most other waves in the Mentawais and when it looks like that Telescopes is a much better option.

Kandui:

Kandui a.k.a Kanduis or Nokandui is one of the fastest, down the line, left-hand barrels in the world. Kandui is an obscenely hollow wave with your only option for survival being tucked inside its enormous, gaping jaws. Unless you’re comfortable pumping inside the barrel the best you can hope for is to find the right line, exert a little extra front foot pressure, and hold on. Most of the waves will simply outrace you; however, the thrill of charging through the longest barrel possible is more than worth the effort. If the conditions are right you’ll take your share of beatings; but, chances are you’ll kick out of the best barrel of your life as well.

Lance's Left:

Lance's Left is one of the most popular destinations in the Mentawai’s for consistency and quality. It is an occasionally grinding left with multiple take-off zones and during the right conditions two distinct barrel sections. Despite its relatively harmless allure Lance’s Left can pack a serious punch, especially if you get caught inside and find yourself parked on the reef. The extreme inside sports a series of lava fingers with deep gaps in between, keep this in mind as before you try to squeeze in that last roundhouse. The place can hold size, up to ten feet, and is often compared to G-Land’s Moneytrees section as steep take-offs throw you down the line with impressive speed and flow. Lance’s Left is always a good call if the winds are right so it’s no surprise that many boat captains and traveling surfers frequent the area.

Lance's Right:

Lance's Right, also commonly referred to as “HT’s”, is a fast, perfect, barreling right-hander. Out of all the breaks in the Mentawai’s “HT’s” best exemplifies the term “swell wrap”. The waves here wrap around the south end of the island and into a guarded bay over one-hundred and eighty degrees before unloading over an unmerciful reef aptly named “The Surgeon’s Table”. It is probably one of the top five most famous waves in the entire world and not without good reason. There are three main take-off zones, but it’s the deepest zone, dubbed “The Office” that serves up the heaviest, scariest, roundest, most mesmerizing barrels in the world.

Macaronis:

Macaronis more commonly referred to as “Macca’s” is one of the best lefts our planet has to offer. It is the premiere destination of every boat charter in the Mentawai’s and more often than not there are a minimum of six boats camped out in front of it. Every magazine and surf video nowadays devotes an obscene amount of coverage to this wave, remarkably, it deserves it. The wave itself barrels graciously on the take-off before walling up into the most high performance oriented waves imaginable. To top it off, the scenery surrounding it is breathtaking as it sits comfortably inside a picturesque cove with emerald green water lapping its shores. The only downside to surfing Macaroni’s is the fact that it’s usually smaller than everywhere else because it faces an awkward direction. Macca’s works best from three to six feet, it is possible to surf here during larger swells but the drops begin to look more like Teahupoo and the consequences become more substantial.

Nipussi:

Nipussi is a high-performance right situated inside a reef-laden cove. Most people line up at the apex of the point and surf a solid wall that hugs the inside, but during a west swell some people prefer to sit wide and wait for the swinger sets which break in the middle of the cove. Nipussi always has waves and is a good alternative when the rest of the islands are flat. It’s known as one of the mellowest waves in the islands but it’s still a powerful wave.

Pitstops:

Pitstops is one of the most high performance waves in the Mentawai Islands. Located a few hundred yards away from E-Bay you can’t really tell if Pitstops is breaking unless you take a close look. The wave itself starts breaking in a compact area over reef, remarkably, if you’re not paying attention, the take-off can be quite challenging. However, once you’re on your feet you’ve got a really fun, semi-backwashy wave to carve, pull in, or boost on. As the wave progresses it starts breaking over a combination of sand and reef until eventually expiring itself on a beautiful tropical beach. One of the most photogenic waves in the world.

Rags Left

A great lefthander that can hold the biggest swells. It is very hollow and can often dish out some of the heaviest hold-downs in the island chain. Usually a bit more water moving around so a larger board can be useful.

Rags Right:

Rag's Right is a formidable opponent to your health, safety, and well being. It is a wide-open right capable of churning out oxygen-sucking dry barrels. Perhaps the most difficult part in the Rag's Right equation is the drop. The wave stands up and explodes over a nearly exposed reef, the faster you are able to get into it, the greater your chance for success. If it's breaking, it's definitely worth a gander as eight to twelve second tubes become standard. If you can swing it, ride a shorter board for increased maneuverability and control deep in the barrel. 

Rifles:

Rifles is one of the longest, most perfect, awe-inspiring waves in the world. When it’s breaking properly with a hint of northwest wind you can expect four to six hundred yard right walls with numerous tube sections. Rifles is a violent barrel from start to finish, sometimes when you think you are coming out another section will throw over, and another, and another. If you do come out and see it lining up, you have to put the pedal to the metal to make it through the next barrel section. Basically, you have to go as fast as you can go almost the whole way through the wave.

Scarecrows:

Scarecrows is Telescopes’ big brother, a little more forceeful, slightly bigger, and in general a little less refined. Nevertheless, it definitely has its good days and because it picks up a lot of swell is a good option when the rest of the chain is small. You’ll probably find the wave to be very moody and inconsistent, some days it does a great impression of Telescopes on the right tide and direction while other days it is a warbled mess of high tide rubbish that is an unmotivating as it gets. You never can be sure until you’re looking at it!

Telescopes:

Every thing you’ve heard about Telescopes is true. It’s a remarkably long left which tempts you to sit deeper and deeper, almost daring you to backdoor an impossible section. With size, the wave breaks for over a half mile outside and descends upon the formal take-off area at mach one. Fortunately, by the time it reaches the pack its slowed down a bit and ready to serve up a wondrous, steep, hollow wall. Telescopes is frequented by many boats based on its premiere quality. However, there always seems to be plenty of waves to go around and when its absolutely firing at six to eight foot many less accomplished surfers watch it from the safe confines of their boats, videocameras in hand.

The Hole

Another very hollow left off a small island in the southern end of the Mentawais. Starts barrelling off the takeoff, but never really stops until a closeout section at the end of the reef. Definitely not a place to strighten out at.

Thunders:

is the largest, most consistent break in the Mentawai’s. Aptly named, Thunders powerful lefts break so hard that it not only makes a booming sound; but it also creates a weird, sea foam that often has trouble clearing out before the next set. The line-up is extremely complicated as waves seem to break everywhere around you; however, on a rising swell a solid, slabby wall offers a serious drop followed by a forceful shoulder. The wave breaks in deeper water than you’d expect so it’s unlikely you will hit the bottom here. The reality of surfing Thunders on a big day, which is often, is you’ll get stuck inside and probably have to make a trip to the shore to make it back out. Grab a big board and charge.

The Telo Islands

The Telos is more of an unknown and some of the glamour waves here have been kept deliberately quiet by those that have visited. But almost everyone returns from a surf trip here with big grins. Telos surf spots are relatively well guarded and many unknown to the greater majority. There are several top- quality breaks to suit to all levels and Bintang surf charters is guaranteed to place you at the best wave on the day. The local game fishing is also virtually untouched. As many years in the region, Bintangs crew still holds a few secrets close to their chest.

The Banyak Islands

The Banyak Islands in North Sumatra are located approximately 60 miles off the northwest coast of Sumatra, There are two main islands in the Banyak Islands: Treasure Island and the Island of the Bay providing incredible breaks perfectly to catch the clean consistent swells of the Indian Ocean. Many of the Banyak Islands surf breaks have remained nameless and there is still more exploring going on. There is a huge range of left and right-hander waves in the Banyak islands . There are waves for every surfing style and ability ranging from long deep barrels, perfect peaks to long cruising walls with plenty of time to rip the faces apart.

Bintang Boat Specs 

Details, Equipment and Specifications.

• Registration: Indonesia
• Owner : Mick O'shea
• Built by Classic Yatchts, Perth Western Australia - 1988.
• Gardiner 8XLB165 BHP 165 hp season, Bintang has a new 8-cylinder engine from 2012, gear box and 2 rebuilt gensets.
• Length: 115ft - 35m overall.
• Deck line 110 ft - 33m.
• Water line 100 ft -30m.
• Beam: 28 feet - 9m.
• Steel hull construction.
• Cruising speed - 8 knots, 13 knots under full sail.
• Diesel cap. 10,000 lt. - Water cap 6,000 lt.
• Generators: 110 -240v Power; 1 Yanmar 3 ph. 20kw, 1 Dunlite 3 ph. 20kw, 1 Dunlite 1 ph. 5kw.

Electronics and Instrumentation.

• SSB Radio: JRC.
• Autopilot: Coursemaster 1000.
• VHF Radio: Uniden.
• Radar: JRC - Range 30 miles.
• Fixed GPS: JRC.
• Echo Sounder: JRC 500 Meter Range.
• Position Beacon: EPIRB.
• Lifejackets for 18 persons.
• Life Raft for 18 persons.
• Fire fighting equipment and extinguishers - procedures compliant with AMSA / USCG Standards.

The Camera Equipment. Never forget those Mentawai waves.

The Bintang carries a Canon 50D and 7D camera with a selection of lenses ranging from 70mm and 400mm available on the boat for your use. Remember to bring a laptop or a portable hard drive to transfer photos and videos at the end of your surf trip.

How to Book:

1.  THERE ARE FOUR WAYS TO MAKE A RESERVATION

A. BOOK ONLINE: Click the "BOOK ONLINE" button on the right side or bottom fo your desired destination/option and follow the instructions to make a deposit using our secure online reservation system.

B. SUBMIT A TRIP INQUIRY: Fill out the "Trip Inquiry" form on the right side of the page or under the "Booking Info" section on the top menu. Wavehunters will get back to you as soon as possible, usually within 24 hours.

C. SEND US AN E-MAIL: Send your questions and trip inquiries to wavehunters@wavehunters.com.

D. GIVE US A CALL: We are located in Carlsbad, California, USA. 1-760-413-1513

2. CONFIRM DATES AND MAKE DEPOSIT: Before you book online please double check that the trip you want and the dates you need match up. If you make a reservation online you will pay the deposit by credit card. We can also process credit cards offline, take checks made out to "Wavehunters Surf Travel", and we accept wire transfers, cashier's checks, money orders, or direct deposits. 

3. SEND US YOUR INFORMATION: During the booking process we strive to make everything as simple and easy as possible. When you're ready to make your reservation please have your passport ready as we will need the number, expiration date, and country of issue. We will also need your flight itinerary (if we do not help set it up) as well as a few destination specific questions. If you are travleing with a group please specify the number of people in your group and their names.

4. MAKE FLIGHT RESERVATIONS (AS NEEDED): Wavehunters is a full service travel agency capable of handling all of our guest’s flight arrangements. Each destination typically requires a specific flight itinerary that needs to be confirmed by Wavehunters prior to departure. If you don’t have the time or inclination to deal with setting up your flight arrangements Wavehunters will be happy to coordinate them for you. 

5. MAKE FINAL PAYMENT: You final payment is due two to four months prior to your trip's departure depending on which trip you are on. Once that's in along with the requested information you're all set to go!

6. SHOW UP: Rule #1 is to remember to not miss your flight and remember to have a passport with at least 6 months left before the expiration date.

7. SURF: Once you're at your destination the only thing you should have to to worry about is what board you should ride and where to surf. Have fun!