In regards to the anon about sexism in the tall ship community, I was a tall ship sailor for two years and sailed out of San Francisco and the Delaware Bay. I found overall the community was respectful, although it was about 75% male. The captain on my first ship was definitely sexist, though, but more in subtle ways, like calling the women deckhands by their last names while the men got their first names used. And he commented on women passengers’ bodies to “bond” with the crew.
Also for anon asking about being a ship’s cook: I sailed on marine education schooners, and sometimes those have ship’s cooks who only cook for the crew and for summer camp kids. (Sometimes the crew just take turns cooking.) That might be an easier barrier to entry, since the food doesn’t have to be as fancy. The ship’s cook on my second schooner had started her career on yachts, but she said those generally wanted you to “look pretty” as well as cook good food and she didn’t like the culture.
