Aafke can see no reason why women shouldn't do the work just as well as men. It's a question of technique. The fact that nowadays around half of all sailing crews are female seems to support her theory. The worst part about the job is the pay. But at least board and lodging is free.
Lodging means that the crew lives on board all year round.
Many sailors and even some skippers do not even have their own house or flat on land. A knot would be fatal while going about. While the ship is under way, the captain's orders have to be followed. Each move has to be precisely carried out. The wind can suddenly change, the mizzen at the stern has to be reefed and then the jib at the bow.