The crew of Tahina met racing J/24 sailboats in 2004, and have sailed and cruised together ever since, eventually marrying in 2014. Having sailed their current yacht, Tahina, from Panama to New Zealand as crew for her original owners, Captain Jason and Mate/Chef Lara purchased her in 2018 and have fully refit her to the latest standards for use as a platform to share their passions for sailing, water sports and island life with guests. Captain Jason holds an RYA Yachtmaster Ocean qualification, earned after years of competing at the highest levels of the J/24 one-design sailing class and in numerous other one-design and handicap-rated sailing events around the world, from Europe to the Americas and New Zealand, coupled with a half-circumnavigation. Jason is a qualified PADI divemaster, avid kiteboarder and sailor, and enjoys a morning paddle board or surfing expedition anytime he can squeeze it in. He is also a master of creating delicious breakfasts at sea. Having been raised in South Florida by an avid fisherman and all around salty-living fanatic, Lara has been snorkeling, boating and paddling as long as she can remember. She has sailed well over 15,000 nautical miles of her own over the years, and in addition to being the lead culinary artist on board, her focus these days is on the business of helping people plan and experience vacations of a lifetime. She is an expert at whipping up delicious treats to suit our guests’ cravings, loves getting to know all the nooks and crannies of the places we travel, and is an expert at matching our guests’ interests with the perfect itinerary for their trip.