I always considered "reef-tackle fall" one of those cleverly camouflaged terms for "balls," which Hugill resorted to in order to get Shanties of the Seven Seas published.

Of course, a "reef tackle" is a real nautical term, the "fall" simply being the line that one hauled on. Knowing this would be of marginal use in undressing lovely Sally or her Sailortown sisters.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble