Having a basic familiarity of how to work the land definitely gives her an advantage, it's true. Not that he expects that most people are unwilling to learn, but if everyone had to learn, then things would likely have been a good deal more awkward than they already are. And there'd have been less of a guarantee that the settlement would have managed to survive quite as well besides. But given that clearly isn't the case, the point is largely moot. Even if it does still help that there's someone around who knows how to make things like this.

(And if the boat that they're currently making helps them find out something more about their current location, so much the better, as far as he's concerned.)

"I believe the sailing ships of yore often tarred any rope that was going to be exposed to the elements over long periods of time. Although that also made it less flexible as well."

And as far as he's aware there aren't exactly any ready sources of tar available besides, in which case it probably is best to use the dried grass rope that Moana already has in mind.