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foucault76 · 21-07-2008, 06:37

Hi everboby.
I'll be in Tahaa (french polynesia) from 10 to 13 October 2008. I'd like to spend 2/3 days in the Lagoon of Tahaa. Has anybody sailed there? I had in mind to bareboat a Tilapia 6.5 m (A la voile en Polynésie - Tilapia), has someone chartered such a boat? Another option is to rent through sunsail a >40', but we're only 2 and I think it's too big.

Thanks for the advice
F

donradcliffe · 23-07-2008, 06:48

We have sailed there on our own boat, but you will enjoy the Tahaa lagoon--much less touristy than Bora Bora. See the sunsail website for conditions and itinerary. Make sure you check out the condition of the Tilapia, as it sounds like a local charter company.

foucault76 · 23-07-2008, 09:16

Ok many thanks for you reply, my main concern was about the safety in sailing with a 6.5m boat in that Lagoon...I will be in honeymoon so I would like to be sure that is a safe lagoon, protected from big waves etc. Is it safe?
Well I can check Tilapia's conditions only when I'll be there, by now the owner (he's got two of them) sent me the checklist and inventary of the boat. I'll go through sunsail website to find about the lagoon.
Thank you so much
F.

donradcliffe · 23-07-2008, 09:34

Its protected from big waves, but the trades can get strong enough to create some chop in areas. More protected and easier than San Francisco Bay. I wouldn't take my new bride on her first sail there, but if she enjoys sailing, you should both have fun.

foucault76 · 23-07-2008, 10:06

Ok that wouldn't be her first sail but she's not that keen in sailing....
Anyway thank, you got the point perfectly.
Maybe it's not a good idea to circumnavigate Tahaa...we'll stay on the land and maybe have a daily sail.

Thank you very much
Filippo

BambooSailor · 23-07-2008, 11:55

There is an excellent anchorage off motu TauTau with fantastic sunsets over Bora Bora. If Raiatea is something you would consider as well, we liked anchorages near motu Irihu (one of a few publicly accessible motus in Societies) and in Faaroa Bay (with dinghy ride on river Aoppomau). See attached pictures for what you'll get (and miss if you do not go). All mentioned anchorages were so quiet while we were there that we thought we were on land (but we were on 43' cat).

foucault76 · 23-07-2008, 12:02

Well Bamboo thank you very much for your reply!
Actually I skippered monohulls up to 50' in mediterranean, in Tahaa I'm going to rent Tilapia (6.5 m - 22') I have no doubts it will be great to anchor for the night (my girlfriend very little sailing experience), but we surely go mooring at the quay (chez Leo and Taravana yacht club)....
I was just wondering if it's safe to round Tahaa with a 22'....
What would you say?

BambooSailor · 23-07-2008, 12:15

Sorry, I thought you wanted to go around in 'cruising mode' :-). Anyway, if trades are strong, you may have a wet ride, but under normal conditions you should not have a problem.

**GordMay** · 23-07-2008, 13:22

Bamboosailor, you're an evil person - posting such photos where a Canadian resident can see them.
Beautiful!!!

BambooSailor · 23-07-2008, 17:19

Thanks Gord, I am glad you like my pictures. And yes, me evil, I posted them to entice Filippo into visiting these beautiful places

.

foucault76 · 24-07-2008, 00:42

Well guys I'll visit those placese anyway

The only point is that I only have 3 nights to stay and my girlfriend has very little sailing experience, so....I'm just wondering what to do!

Thanks
F.