You have motivated me to track down this series of books.
Yes, Larry Briggs was the real deal.
His boat, Chartwell, is the sister ship to ours - Sea Venture.
At 10,000 hours and 70,000 NM's of travel we are still going strong. Like Chartwell, our Sea Venture has been refit since new to make it more comfortable for ocean travel. Cheoy Lee built these boats (about 12 of this long range model) before it was widely believed you could cross oceans in a power boat this size both safely and comfortably. Of course, Beebe's Voyaging Under Power was out, but it was mostly theory.
Currently up in SE Alaska cruising this winter. Nothing like 30 knots of blowing snow while anchoring - and having a ball! Also, the visibility scuba diving is spectacular here in the winter. When diving is 42 degree water it surprisingly doesn't seem that cold when the air temperature is 35 degrees.
Next summer, Covid permitting, we will run down to the Sea of Cortez for next winter and enjoy some warm water diving.
Jim
M/V Sea Venture
www.youtube/CruisingSeaVenture