I introduced my non-sailor wife to BVI chartering with the two of us on a 32' monohull in 1991. Over the years we chartered 36', 37', 39', 40' and 47' monohulls together, and then graduated to cats when we started bringing friends along. She still gets nervous, and worries about how they will get the boat home is something happens to me.
I found a 36'-39' monohull is ideal for 2 persons. Reef early so you don't get into an uncomfortable situation - in-mast roller furler really helps since you're effectively shorthanded. With just the 2 of us, I also made a point of staying moored or docked on days when the winds were really blowing to reduce her stress level.
