Thanks people, great thread. I could read on for ages and hope many more might feel inclined to add a few more pages of advice and experiences.
After an absence of 12 years from boat ownership and 14 years since last had the boat in Fiji, I have succumb to the calling and purchased a beautiful wee kauri Salthouse 36. All going to plan, 2014 will see the new boat and me spending a few months in Tonga.