When Rod first sang the song, Jan Christensen, Rick Nestler and I had a chat with him one evening. Our main point was that masts don't get turned about on vessels large enough to have a crew. None of us was able to suggest a good replacement line so it stood as written.
In the same conversation he mentioned that he had been invited to spend a week aboard Mystic Whaler as resident performer and asked whether he should. We all encouraged him to take the gig. Ah, a good captain, private cabins, heat, showers, good company and good food afloat. Who could ask for more?