by Wario83
I feel just the opposite of the OP. I find starting player less necessary in 2p than 4p. You only have to wait out one person in heads up play while if youa re last in a 4p game, you can lose out more.Also like others said, don't think of ships as just being able to go first. The shipping is worth some good points and getting that six spot filled and bonus tile obtained counts for something. If you really want to go first, nab and play a boat on the last turn of a phase to go first in the next round.
You need to get out of groupthink with your wife and you'll find that you will be winning more often.