SDA238 Spicing up the Dirty Work

Sat, 23 May 2026 17:00:23 +0000

Cleaning months of diesel grease off a valve cover is tedious work, but it turns out a little rhythm in the galley can change the whole mood of a heavy maintenance project.

We are on our mooring in Luperón to tackle the thorough cleaning and reassembly of the Volvo Penta MD2030 valve cover, coolant pump, and heat exchanger. To break up the monotony of the technical rebuild, I spice up the routine boat chores with some music. A good playlist makes it much more fun to navigate the tight spaces while making the bed in a tiny bunk area, washing dishes in the galley, and sweeping down the cockpit.

Marine diesel engine maintenance featuring a Volvo Penta MD2030 heat exchanger reassembly and valve cover cleaning 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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We take our Ugowear waterproof bags EVERYWHERE.

Amazing company, amazing gear.

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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