SDA237 Torqued and Topped Off
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Owner: Sailing Dark Angel

SDA237 Torqued and Topped Off

5

Location: Luperon
Latitude: 19.89000000
Longitude: -70.96000000
Published: 16 May 2026

It is one thing to have a machined cylinder head delivered to the boat, but it is another thing entirely to find the surface contaminated before it even touches the block.

I am prepping the engine block for our newly machined cylinder head while Dave works to clean up the contamination he found upon unwrapping it. He gets the surface ready using a razor blade and nipple remover so we can move forward with the rebuild. We reassemble the top of the engine and torque the head bolts in sequence to the exact Volvo Penta MD2030 specs. After the intensity of the mechanical work, finishing the assembly is the perfect excuse to bake a cake in our countertop oven.

Detailed marine diesel repair featuring a Volvo Penta MD2030 cylinder head reassembly and torque sequence while living aboard a sailboat.

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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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📰 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:
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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


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