What to get for my wife for our week on a boat

[David Hoyt]

An automatic inflating LIFE vest.

[rcolesny]

If it is a "live-aboard" course, definitely at least one night in a up scale hotel. Even a massage.
My die-hard sailing wife ALWAYS appreciated a hot shower or bubble bath during the cruise, or at the end of a delivery.

[CaptainHoop]

Depends on how safe she feels. If skittish, or sailing blue water:
- Water-activated self-inflating PFD vest
- Foul weather jacket (with hood), and potentially bottoms and boots too
- CrewWatcher (personal COB/MOB alarm)
- Water activated strobe

For VI island hopping:

- Powerful flashlight for night dinghy trips
- Good sun hat (her dermatologist will applaud you)
- Massage at on of the nicer resorts

Cruising guide to the VI

SCUBA certification

[tomtriad]

Waterproof case for phone. Closed toe Keen sandals. Rigging knife with fid & shackle key. Snorkling gear including 3mm wetsuit, long or short.These are things my wife has and likes when we cruise.

[rasher]

Don't listen to anybody telling you to invest in automatic PFDs. You'd be wasting $500 or more on your first trip.
ASA 101-104 in the BVIs is simple. You won't be sailing in conditions that require tons of safety gear and your instructor isn't going to put you in those conditions.
I'd advise not spending too much money on anything yet, you're just getting your feet wet.

Here's my list of things you DON'T need this trip:
Sailing Gloves - you won't use them and they're not needed for the conditions you'll be sailing in.
PFDs - The boat will have them onboard
Paddleboard / Kayak - You won't have time to use them
Binoculars - The boat will have them. Wait until you know you're going to be a sailor and then buy good ($1000) ones.
Snorkel Gear - Whoever you're chartering from will have gear for you to borrow, and the amount of time you'll have to actually snorkel - the borrowed gear will be good enough
GPS / VHF / Chartplotters / Hand Bearing Compass - Don't need any of that yet
Fishing Gear - You're not going to fish in the BVIs
Lots of different shoes - Pair of chackos or keens sandals for the boat, maybe a pair of water shoes for the beach and that's it.

Here's what you DO want to bring:
Long and short sleeve quick dry UV protection shirts
Polarized sunglasses
LED Headlamp
A Sharp Kitchen Knife (I've never chartered a boat with knives on board worth a crap)
Lots of cash - Don't forget you need to tip your instructor after the course. IIRC we tipped ours $50 per day per person, but we're generous and our guy was absolutely awesome. You'll also need to pay for your instructor when you guys go out for dinner/drinks on shore.

[NormanMartin]

Here are my two cents after having been a charter captain and sailing instructor in the BVI/Caribbean since 2004:

There are lots of great ideas, hat, sunscreen, UV shirts, , flashlight, etc. Rasher, above, is spot on.

The BVI are beautiful. I suggest you start with a cruising guide and let her design the trip. Second, plan to spend several days/nights in the same place and enjoy it. Too much rushing around is exhausting.

My tips: The Bight at Norman Cay. Worth a couple days. Sail training and then back to the mooring for relaxing before dinner ashore. Snorkel the Indians and Caves etc. They are magic. Skip the Willy T. A day one beat up to North Sound is a good start. North Sound has a week's worth of activity and swimming, walking Prickley Pear.

It all starts with the cruising guide.

In all the years, I have had one wife drop out and check in to a hotel while hubby and I went sailing. She loved it. A few men and women each year say they prefer to stay ashore and just day sail. The vast majority of couples love learning to operate the boat together as a team.

I don't know your instructor but if they are the guys with whom I work, you're going to learn to love sailing, cruising, living aboard.

Have too much fun and write back with a trip report.

Norm

[LargeMarge]

Massage. By a muscular Cherman fellow named Hans.

[NormanMartin]

OK... I spoke with a woman who has been in the charter business forever and she write:

"Well, I’m sure you know what would make your sailor wife happy, but if you wanted to convey my suggestions (I don’t have a cruisers account)-
A handbag, tote, duffle bag- any bag or accessory made from recycled sails from seabags.com
2 day Basic Keelboat course if she is interested in learning the basics of sailing and being a competent crew
E-book for kindle “An Embarrassment of Mangoes”
Personalized Leatherbound journal handmade through Etsy monogrammed or with a customized nautical theme such as a compass and/or saying such as And so the Adventure Begins ..."

Her opening reference is about my wife. Then she follows with advice from a wife...

Thanks

[LargeMarge]

Originally Posted by Dreaming2Sea

...a good insulated water bottle...with a large opening [for] ice...

SECONDED!

About three decades ago, my folks and I were browsing Price Club (prior to the name change to 'Costco').

Mom asked me 'what do you want for your birthday?'.

Without looking, literally without looking, I grabbed the first thing I could reach == a large-mouth insulated liter jug by NISSAN.

The thing is battered and dented and the handle is half-broke, but it's a keeper.

[justthelady]

I note that you are a physician so hope that my suggestion is not daft! Having had two minor facial skin cancer area excised, my tip is a Factor 50 Sun block facial stick. The UK pharmacy Boots own brand £12 has lasted me 5 months sailing in Greece and its great as it can be used just like lipstick. Hope you both have a great time.

[CarlF]

Good looking sun protection is what's important in the BVI on a boat. Most of the stuff offered makes you look like an extra from a 1940's Lawrence of Arabia movie.

FreeFly's bamboo shirts are SPF 50, feel like silk...and look great.

https://freeflyapparel.com/collectio...or=womens-tops

[Gypsyjon]

How about a couple of tiny bikinis??

[enjstj]

I got a new boat for my wife, best trade I ever made.

[fuzzywuzzy]

Every sailor needs a knife, and one with a marlinspike, even small yachties should have one.

[Icarus]

Originally Posted by PortClydeMe

Sorry to chime in. You joined in 2012? Are you from Indiana? Are you a doctor?
Does your wife want to sail?

Sorry for the questions, but I don't quite understand what you mean when you state "to support that".

Without knowing more details, all I can suggest from my experience of knowing how most women think about a life spent bouncing on waves (moderators aside), is that maybe you should offer her a "ticket home" as a present.

Merry Christmas.

Ticket home and pick up a backbacker, they dont need presents.