Good sea-faring fiction

Just now turned the last page in The Yellow Admiral, by Patrick O'Brian. Number 18 in the epic series, it is another prodigious satisfying read, where we follow the brave, cheerful, resourceful Captain "Lucky Jack" Aubrey and his ship's surgeon, physician, naturalist, spy, and particular friend Steven Maturin. Story-arch setting is early nineteenth century naval warfare between Britain and France, but in the case of this episode, once more a peace threatens to end our hero's career. Yeah war is horrible but if it's the only thing you know how to do, I suppose really you don't want it to end.