Jak Mang

First off…Who are you? Where are you from? What would you consider your Home Port and sailing locale?

My name is Jak Mang.  I grew up in Orange County and started sailing on lakes and Newport Harbor. I have always lived in California, but have just moved to Port Townsend.  I’ll be sailing more on the Sound now.

Please describe your sailboat. What type of boat is it? Year? Make? Model? How long have you had it? Any major modifications made to your boat for solo sailing or offshore sailing?

The boat is a 1976 Atkin Ingrid that is very closely related to Norwegian lifeboats designed by      Colin Archer.  Maitreya has a cutter rig designed by Bill Crealock.  She has a ferro-cement hull and wooden deck and house.  She is 38 feet on deck, 47 feet overall and 32 feet at the water.  She weighs 15 tons.  The boat has circumnavigated the Pacific and overwintered in Alaska.

How long have you been sailing? When did you decide that the solo experience was for you?

I have been sailing on and off for 40 years; but mostly off. I read about Dove, Slocum and Childers in college and wanted to give single handing a try. I have sailed a lot of watches alone, am definitely a novice singlehanded sailor.

A piece or pieces of gear you would not do without? Self-Tailing winches? AIS? Egg Timer? Gimbaled cup holder? What do you value and consider vital for safe, comfortable Singlehanded Sailing?

The most importing things are a good dodger and self steering.  I need a GPS, I don’t know celestial. Most other things are optional.  I do consider AIS one of the most important things to happen to sailing since GPS.

Most memorable trip/passage/ adventure you have had so far sailing solo?

I always love night sailing with no moon and the peace of being alone.

Worries and or concerns when you are out solo? Pirates? Tankers? Whales? Flying fish? What is on your mind?

On this trip it may be other racers in silent boats on the rumbline, with no AIS and napping at the same time.

What is your favorite thing or things about being out in the middle of the ocean by yourself?

The night sailing and the endless parade of deep blue waves.

Solo sailors who have inspired you to do what you do?

Webb Chiles, Robin Lee Graham of the Dove, Bernard Moitessier, Vito Dumas….

Future sailing plans or aspirations?

We still want to cruise Alaska, the Caribbean, the Med and all the places in between.

Why do you think people are drawn to solo sailing?

Self reliance, individualism, peace, adventure.

And now for the rapid fire, stream of consciousness, quick response section of the questionnaire…

Hank on or Roller Furling? Both. 
Wheel or Tiller? Tiller.
Fin or Full keel? Either, or… Full though I wish I could turn better and go to weather faster.
Dacron or Kevlar? Dacron
LED Tricolor or Deck mounted Kerosene Running Lights? LED
Mast Steps or Ratlines? Steps
Depth sounder or lead line? Sounder
Bucket or a well plumbed head? Bucket 
Water or Whiskey? Single Malt
Whiskey or Rum? Whose buying?
Rum or Kool Aid? I drank the “Kool-Aid” way too many times
SSB or Sat Phone? SSB but I hate all those wires.
Large meals or Steady Snacking? Yes
Coffee or Tea? Coffee
Dodger or No Dodger? Not Giants
Autopilot or Windvane? Both 
Traditional Boom Vang or Rigid BoomVang? Preventer & Cunningham
Fresh water or saltwater showers? Salt water bucket
Solar Panels or Wind generators? Solar Panels
Three Strand or Spectra? Both