There were pleanty of women on ships in those days. There were even women pirates! Look up the pirate Calico jack and his two pirate ladies. Ships would often have a few ladies aboard, but they were reserved for the captain and officers. The worst problem a woman on board a ship would cause (no it's not fights) was spreading diseases.
Well, I don't care if it rains or freezes,
Long as I have my plastic Jesus
Riding on the dashboard of my car
Through all trials and tribulations,
We will travel every nation,
With my plastic Jesus I'll go far.