LETTERS
Don was commenting on the March 17 'Lectronic Latitude: US Coast Guard Looking for Missing Sailboat, the 55-ft Sloop 'Ishi'. In March, the Coast Guard issued a BOLO for Ishi, and sent us several photos of the sloop departing Hawaii. Based on the photos we published, Ishi appeared to be listing, and several people were quick to call the boat unseaworthy. "That boat is not something I would put up against the Pacific or any other ocean," said one commen"In regards to the listing comments," tor. "Looks like it needed a said Donald Lang, pictured with 'Ishi' bottom job. The whole boat above, "experienced sailors should looks to be in bad shape. I have known by the shape of the sail wouldn't take into the open she was in the middle of a heavy swellGulf of Mexico much less induced roll in light air while leaving the Pacific Ocean. That boat the channel." is ill-prepared." Another commenter wrote: "Look at the barnacles on the hull. Poor maintenance along with the acquired junk on the boat create a safety issue. Sailing among the local islands is about all this boat should be doing. Major ocean crossings will consume that vessel for sure." For sure, Ishi and Lang did just fine. "[I] was trying for a year, but needed repairs after several gales beat me up," Lang wrote on TikTok. "My mind is so calm and clear; out here [is] where I belong. Caught over 300 fish and swung in my hammock under a sunshade. No bills, no bad news, just nature. Slowed the boat to three knots and the schools of fish stay with me for weeks at that speed. "With ports wanting an average of $1,500 each time you pull in, I've been enjoying stretching my cruising dollars at sea. Wanted to visit Midway as I passed, but it was $500 to enter and a whopping $220 a day to moor my boat, so I sailed by. [I'd] like to refit and try nonstop south around the world via the three capes next. Ishi is [an] amazing sea boat. Rock solid and struts through the gales. So much room below the floors to stow canned goods and get the weight down low. "Who's the asshole who reported me missing? Can't an old salt get some peace and quiet?" ⇑⇓ praise for Donald Lang Isn't it funny that for every sailor who is at sea sailing, there are hundreds who know more about what they should Page 16 • Latitude 38 • November, 2023
United states COAST GUARD
⇑⇓ Don Lang returns after nearly a year at sea Thanks, everyone, for the heartfelt concern. I was fine and everyone knew I packed for a year offshore. And they knew not to worry unless a year's gone by. I love it at sea and it's where I like to be. Ishi is a working girl and not a dock queen, so yes, she may not look like a shiny new penny, but she is solid and struts through the gales. She just completed a 348-day, 16,000-mile non-stop voyage, and it was magnificent. Cheers. Don Lang Ishi, 55-ft Sloop Hawaiian Islands