...now this should be interesting. Would love to see what others chime in on this topic Brian. My minor opinion. In my experience, women that are nervous and even phobic about a heeled over (ballasted) sailboat rarely convert. If it needs to be windy (I can't possibly be bored!)....but the correct amount of wind...makes the odds even less for a successful conversion. The one positive factor in your favor is that she is willing to go to the BVI and have a go. I have a couple of friends (couples) where their wives fall into this category. In one case, she will sail....but mainly to grace the deck of his MacGregor Classic as a sun tan platform. Sailing over 5-6 degrees will generate yelling and eventually bodily harm. This couple is fairly new together but have been trying to get together with the sailing side of the relationship for about 5 years. He is a life time experienced sailor. The other buddies wife will go but once a year and sail only well off the wind, but prefers motoring and anchoring..... and tends to spend all her time below. (Olsen 25) This is an older couple (60-ish) and have had a sailboat in the family from the beginning. I have also seen other situations where the female wants very much to be part of and share the guys lifestyle that they eventually become genuine in their interest in spending time sailing and one the water. I am one of the lucky ones in that my wife is a major goer. She can't live enough life, is always trying to do as much as she can and push hard all the time. She is still pissed at me for selling the last m/c. This time of year she is all over me to get the mods, repairs and maintenance done so she can get OUT THERE. Me.....I like sailing much better when the temps are a little higher thanks. If I gotta wear mittens I am staying home. My advice if you guys do the bvi thing......let her do only what she wants to do. Don't ask for her help...expect and plan to handle the boat totally solo. Including dock work, anchoring and sailing. Don't try and teach her all the names of crazy boat stuff. Don't get excited or stressed or even mutter nasty names at yourself. Handle the whole deal as if you are there as her manservant. Her job is tanning, reading, eating, drinking, swimming, clubbing or whatever she needs to do to enjoy the time on the boat. If all goes well, she will almost certainly want to be part of a similar program in home waters. Over time she will become the ultimate First Mate with Benefits. Best of luck with your program. I will send positive vibes your way. Please let us know how it all goes. I sit in extreme envy of a bareboat BVI excursion. My ultimate vacation......vacation, hell.... I want to do the BVI permanently. Canadian winters suck worse every year.....whatever happened to that global warming thing? Tim M17 #369 'Puff' Kelowna BC Canada..........................the real nice part of Canada.....~:0) =======================================================================