Communication is really important for humans and not just for the safety factor like me in the outback or you on the seas, it's a social thing and can be a welcome interaction as you've said. Remember 2020 and all those people having mental health issues due to isolation (I actually loved that time personally), the communication they had made all the difference.
HF is a really great way to communicate and there's something sort of nice about scratchy, one way comms radio gives I think. I can imagine what those inter-boat comms meant in that respect.
I don't have HF now...but I'm curious about your call sign. It's ok not to divulge it of course, I'll just make it up in my head. ☺️
RE: Copy that, over and out