Oh, and let's not forget Paul Bettany's excellent portrayal as Stephen Maturin. I'll confess that I personally identify more with Maturin than I do with Aubrey.
I think all of us who have never sailed a tall ship identify with Maturin on some level. O'Brian really puts him to good use; he's the window through which we come to understand the Royal Navy and sail-driven men-o'-war.