Newb - Starting in Tonga !

[GeorgeH]

Hello to all. I am a total newbee, but I am jumping in feet first. My girlfriend and I are buying a J33 and moving onto it in the South Pacific at the start of the year. We have much to learn, and couldn't be more excited! I hope to learn as much as possible from all of you. It looks like a great forum with lots of members, which means lots of resources. See you out there!
George

[Cheechako]

Hi, is it an ex charter boat in Tonga or.....? I chartered in Tonga years ago..... great place with a multitude of anchorages in Vavau. Be sure to spend a bunch of time there and learn anchoring techiques, reefing and your boat etc.. first!

[GeorgeH]

Thanks, Cheechako. No, it is not an ex charter boat. Just a boat that was for sail from a private party that was using it as their weekend boat. Yes, I will be in Vavau, and yes, I plan on spending a ton of time getting to know that boat. I have already made a few connections out there, so I am hoping I will have a little help along the way. It seems like most of the cruising/live aboard crowd doesn't mind looking out for and helping each other. I am very excited.

[Cheechako]

Yea, Vavau is wonderful, not sure where you go from Tonga though... The trip to New Zealand is reportedly not for newbies....

[GeorgeH]

yes, it is a long ways off from a lot of things. i am setting up shop there for a while.

[NoTies]

Easy, after Tonga you come to Fiji and say Hi. Plenty good places and people to spend the cyclone season. Last year we had a 4 day kite run all the way from Neiafu to Vuda. That's what cruising is all about.

[GeorgeH]

Thanks, NoTies! See you out there one day.

How you like it out there?

[NoTies]

It's great. Tonga was also fantastic,we spent 4 months there last year. The place to get work done on the boat in the SP is Fiji if you don't want to make the passage to & from NZ.

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha Tongabound,
Congratulations on the new boat and welcome aboard!
Kind regards,
JohnL