Here's another teachable moment, shamusotoole. Don't invent an argument in order to ridicule it. There's more to this than your neat summary. Read /Rediscovering Homer/. Then come back and knock the argument down, if you still want to!
Dr. Dalby:
With all due respect, I believe your hypothesis is not very plausible, although it's possible. My impression is based on Homer's intimate knowledge of Sailing.
I admit I reread both works about 13 yrs. ago and am remembering somewhat fuzzily, but I recollect Homer had some grasp of sailing mechanics. I consider operating and navigating a ship to be the "moon shot" of its time.
Even today with much better and simpler equipment and navigation, from my observation, most sailors are men.
From common sense, or whatever convoluted reasoning passes for it in me, I conclude, without having read your book that I'm quite skeptical of your hypothesis.
I will read 'Rediscovering Homer' and give your reasoning a fair shake. I also apologize for being dismissive. My pedant is showing. Forgive me!
Sincerely,
shamusotool