Sean, you could always hire an instructional skipper for the first day or two to help both of you learn to work together to do things yourselves.

By having an instructor with you, it will take the stress out of the situation and give your wife much more confidence in herself.

Teaching somebody close to you (anything) is almost never a good idea. The wrong look at the wrong time or the wrong tone in your voice can create more stress.

Having an expert third party present will take the burden of teaching off you. You may even learn a thing or two yourself. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />

An instructor is usually $200.00 per day plus meals. Cheap at twice the price if the goal is to have fun and save your marriage from undue stress.

Since this is your first time sailing with just the two of you, you may want to consider hiring an instructor for the whole time. By the end of a week, you will both be old pros.