Agree with A/C... You don't have to use it but likely will like it. And if you hope to come back with current wife, you want A/C (and therefore generator). Water maker is not absolute but this year, more concern about water availability and also lessens captain's anxiety of inexperienced cruisers not being as thrifty on water usage.

Also with crew described, I would stick with catamarans as more space for your crew and easier for inexperienced to move around underway. While I may love 1 rail in water, most of my family do not.

I expect well planned, family will be asking "When can we come back?" even before they depart Tortola.