ChuckDavis666

My wife and I are planning a bucket list trip to Raiatea and Bora Bora, chartering first and then hanging out in a hut. We would appreciate any information that folks can provide.

I have 50+ years experience on monohulls up to 46 ft., but have never driven a cat. My wife has around 10 years experience as mate, and is good on the helm. We have done multiple charters in the BVI and USVI with just the two of us on monohulls up to 42 ft. We are 72 and 70 years old.

Catamaran or monohull? How much sailing ground would we lose with the extra draft of a monohull? How much more difficult would navigation in the lagoons be with a monohull? How easy will it be for this old dog to learn the tricks of a cat? (I would start with a checksail with a skipper from the base.)

Bareboat? Bareboat + Skipper? Bareboat + Skipper + Chef? This is a bucket list trip, but we do like our privacy onboard. We are not quite as spry as we were on our last charter a few years ago.

Provisioning plan or self-provision?

How many full days/nights on the water? (Excluding departure and return days.) We like a relaxed pace, sometimes just hanging on the hook for two nights and vegging out.

We usually charter with Sunsail, but I'm leaning towards Moorings for this trip. I'd appreciate any thoughts or recommendations.

Any other information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!