My now wife, an Irish girl, first stepped aboard my boat in Phuket, Thailand. It was her first time aboard a sailing yacht and spent the next three years sailing home with me. In so many ways she has become a better sailor than me and the only sacrifices I made, if you can call them that, were out-of-pocket expenses like a new head, a better heater, improved electronics, a proper series drogue and other things related to comfort and safety.

When we first started out (in the wrong season) we were hit by some heavy weather, dragged anchors, lost a prop and critical things broke. I thought I would lose her, but she hung in. I made some compromises (such as how far away a tropical storm must be before setting off), reefed earlier to keep off the deck, etc.

Sometimes, after a storm, she talks about how afraid she was, but during the blow she is all business. She has become a brilliant partner.

Take it easy. Everyone's different. Give her time.