SDA250 Power Struggles

When the inverter says the batteries are critically low and the battery BMS says they're fine, somebody is sending mixed signals.

We duck out of Jamaica Bay with squalls rolling in and a broken saildrive shifter cable adding to the excitement as we beat into wind, rain and waves toward Long Island.

With the anchor dropped and checked in the crystal clear water of Gordon's Bay, yet another barracuda keeps an eye on Lisa. We borrow a friend's truck and search Long Island for 15W40 oil for our weeping engine.

A power failure sends Captain Dave into repair mode when the inverter reports critically low batteries while the battery BMS insists they're fine.

Sailing from Crooked Acklins to Long Island in the Bahamas, with rough-weather cruising, saildrive repairs, engine maintenance and troubleshooting a lithium battery power system aboard our cruising catamaran.
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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