OK, I admit I am unable to teach someone. Sometimes you explain it
several times and they dont get it. What do you do? Years ago, I
taught College Physics and my students seemed to think I was good but
SNIP
Tacking in the channel was like that. How do I tell her "Steer up when
you feel power coming on from the wind and then down a little when it
goes away". "When you tack, you gotta feel when the wind begins to
catch the jib to help push the bow around in a tight tacking situation"
There is a lotta "feel" that goes into this that I cannot explain.

I understand completely - I worked as a sailing instructor for 2 years
at a well-known sailing school here in the UK and am now able to offer
the following sage advice:

1 - Don't. Pay someone else to teach them, if they show an interest.
The formality of the relationship between pupil and instructor is
ruined if a relationship is there.
2 - Once they show interest, keep them sailing on undemanding days,
then keep them going on more demanding days with praise & recognition.
3 - Don't grab the helm and take over if it goes wrong - offer some
advice if needed and let them deal with it. Once they have dealt with
the situation, gently tell them what happened, why and what they did to
fix the situation.
4 - Remember, they must be interested - I've successfully taught a good
number of people to sail, and sail well. My 3 kids aren't interested
at all. They no longer sail with me. (Yippee!)

Artie