from large ships to small boats (the Liberdade, 35 feet, I think) (not just the alarm clock story from "Sailing Alone Around the World").

Impressive array of experience...Victor Slocum's bio of his dad is worth reading. It's amazing what J. Slocum's wife put up with, in terms of living on ships and small boats with him, while raising two kids, I think...and that was back in the 19th century, when roughing it was for real...well, I guess on land or at sea, it was roughing it