Doofus finally croaks

He crossed the Atlantic because it was there, and the Pacific because it was also there. 

He made both crossings in a rowboat because it, too, was there, and because the lure of sea, spray and sinew, and the history-making chance to traverse two oceans without steam or sail, proved irresistible.

Uh, sinew?

In 1969, after six months alone on the Atlantic battling storms, sharks and encroaching madness, John Fairfax, who died this month at 74, became the first lone oarsman in recorded history to traverse any ocean.

In 1972, he and his girlfriend, Sylvia Cook, sharing a boat, became the first people to row across the Pacific, a yearlong ordeal during which their craft was thought lost. (The couple survived the voyage, and so, for quite some time, did their romance.) More (much, MUCH more) here:

A yearlong ordeal, huh.  Yes, well I have some questions and comments.

Who paid his bills in the meantime?  And who paid for the "rowboat?"  Yes, a 22' rowboat.  And were there any "safety boats" tagging along?

Looks like no expense was spared on the decorations.

Now, why would you really do this?  Bored?  You think you're bored NOW, jump in that boat and commence with the rowing.  The scenery?  Mmmmm, I McDoubt it.  Do you have an irresistible hunger for fame?  I think we're getting closer.