SDA225 Exhausted Low on Fuel and Still Two Miles Out
After twenty-seven exhausting hours at sea, Great Inagua was finally within reach. But about two miles from shore, wind, waves, and current stopped us cold. With a struggling engine and diesel reserves lower than we liked, we spent four more hours working for every inch, still offshore.
In this episode of Sailing Dark Angel, we weigh anchor at Jamaica Bay and beat into wind and waves toward Great Inagua. By morning we’re still driving into eighteen knots on the nose. Held offshore for hours and burning more diesel than planned, we arrive exhausted. I didn’t want to dive the anchor… but I had to. And just when I thought I was spent, a shoal of squid showed up to keep an eye on me.
This eastbound Bahamas passage to Great Inagua tested our diesel planning, weather window strategy, and endurance at sea.
⚠️ The lightning strike changed everything on Dark Angel, and we’re still rebuilding piece by piece. If you’d like to support the recovery, our GoFundMe is here:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-rebuild-after-lightning-struck-their-boat
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🌊 Sailing Dark Angel follows our real-life journey sailing the Caribbean aboard our Island Spirit catamaran, sharing the challenges, adventures, and everyday moments of liveaboard sailing life.
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🎥 Become part of the Crew on Patreon
Without a Crew, a Ship Has No Direction.
Join the crew on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/sailingdarkangel
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⛵ Follow the journey beyond YouTube
https://sailingdarkangel.com
Lisa's personal blog is being added now.
🍻 Like what you see? You can even buy us a beer.
Business inquiries:
partners@sailingdarkangel.com
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📰 Featured in sailing media
Latitudes & Attitudes Magazine
🍹 Rum tasting article
https://digitalmagazine.latsatts.com/sailingdarkangel-5456
🌊 Bahamas snorkeling article
https://summer2023.latsatts.com/theresthisplace#a_aid=640782a615fd9&a_bid=0e47bed1
Pussfoot Magazine
https://www.pussfoot.com/blogs/water/sailing-dark-angel-sailing-and-slow-cooked-ribs
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🍹 The Dark Angel Cocktail
We created our own signature drink, the “Dark Angel,” which placed 3rd in a Latitudes & Attitudes Magazine contest.
If you’d like to try one yourself or order one at your favorite watering hole, here’s the recipe:
Kraken Spiced Rum
Ginger Beer
Muddled Mint
Slice of Lime
If you try it, let us know what you think!
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⚓ Marine Electronics Support
We trust Sea-Tech Systems for expert marine electronics advice and support aboard Dark Angel.
If you're planning upgrades or troubleshooting onboard systems, these are the guys we rely on.
https://seatech.systems/
See how they helped us:
https://seatech.systems/2022/02/16/sailing-dark-angel-tests-sea-techs-marine-electronics-advisor-service/
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🎒 Gear we trust
We take our Ugowear waterproof bags EVERYWHERE.
Amazing company, amazing gear.
Affiliate link:
https://ugowear.com?aff=34
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🛠 Help keep Dark Angel sailing
Amazon Wishlist
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/KYJVC8ZWGHY2
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👕 Dark Angel & Be Nauti Swag
https://spoiledbratdesigns.com/product-category/sailing-dark-angel-clothing-and-accessories/
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📱 Follow the journey
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/sailingdarkangel
X
https://x.com/SailinDarkAngel
TikTok
https://tiktok.com/@sailing_darkangel
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/sailingdarkangel
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🎶 Opening and closing song
“Who We Are” by Miah
From the band NINETEEN EIGHTY SEVEN
Miah generously allowed us to use this song on the channel from the very beginning, and we've loved it ever since.
Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/artist/6WaNVPlzMwFn7WCVT3gVcJ
https://nineteeneightyseven.com
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Lisa & Dave
Sailing Dark Angel
© Sailing Dark Angel 2026