Sailing Dark Angel

05/26/2026

We continue the cleaning and reassembly of our Volvo Penta MD2030 diesel engine while on our mooring in Luperón. To break up the monotony of the technical rebuild, I put on some music to make the routine chores of making up the tight bunk, washing dishes, and sweeping the cockpit a lot more fun.

Come with us to see how we balance the grit with the groove.
https://youtu.be/YqRBzTRKiSY

05/23/2026

Cleaning months of diesel grease off a valve cover is tedious work, but a little rhythm in the galley changes 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, we put on some music to make the routine chores of making the tight bunk bed, washing dishes, and sweeping the cockpit a lot more fun.

Come with us to see how we balance the grit with the groove.
https://youtu.be/YqRBzTRKiSY

05/19/2026

Why do we own a an early 2000s sailing cat with badly worn gelcoat, worn cushions, old engines, etc?
Because we own it. Because we fix it.
We'd love a big condo cat. We can't afford one.
We anchor beside the big cats and the superyachts. We see the same beaches, the same shorelines, the same islands. We dive the same reefs.
If this life is in your sights, you don't need to spend millions, or even hundreds of thousands.
We have a good friend selling a gorgeous Shannon 38 in West Palm Beach and other friends here in the Dominican selling a Prout cat, a similar explorer cat to the one James had in Sailing Zingaro.

Boatbuilders Don’t Want Sailors. They Want Millionaires

05/17/2026

El Furgon Restaurant, Luperon.
It’s a waiting for parts Sunday

05/16/2026

Getting a newly machined cylinder head back to the boat should be a relief, but things took a turn when we unwrapped it and found the surface contaminated.

Dave jumped right in with a razor blade and acetone to save the day before we tackled the critical torque sequence on the Volvo Penta MD2030.

To celebrate surviving the tension of the engine room, we fired up the galley oven for a fresh cake.

Come with us and see how the project came together.
https://youtu.be/uZS4rtBmE28

05/15/2026

This is an experience you absolutely do not want to miss!

05/09/2026

Wandering the rugged trails of Luperón leads to everything from deserted ruins to steep cliffs.
Back on the mooring, finding the source of a cooling issue on the Volvo Penta MD2030 means opening up the starboard engine to see what is really happening inside. Staying organized while parts are scattered across the cabin is the real challenge.

Join us: https://youtu.be/rtZ9X3Jeqxo

05/02/2026

The hike to the shoreline blowholes near Luperón was easily one of the best treks we have taken lately. It is the kind of spot that makes you want to pack a bag and go.
Once we were back on the boat, we knocked out that helm seat install. It makes a world of difference in the cockpit.

Come and see.
https://youtu.be/VDICeNw9tUQ

04/28/2026

We are working through more of the fallout from the lightning strike as we dig into the Isotherm freezer here in Luperón. It is a constant balance between the technical troubleshooting and keeping the boat looking her best, like putting in the elbow grease to restore the cloudy dodger. We managed to find some horsepower on the beach to clear our heads, which was the perfect reset.

Come with us
https://youtu.be/CwB7di2q6kI

04/27/2026

The biggest reason we didn't go back to West Palm Beach, where our friends are, where the facilities are, where we were once welcomed.
How dare we block Stallone's view of the power plant on the other side of the lagoon.
We were fans.
Now we recognize his level of evil and entitlement.

'You’re an Entitled As***le,' Marty Minari Says

04/25/2026

We are tackling the fallout from the lightning strike by digging into the Isotherm freezer. It is a mix of technical troubleshooting and boat aesthetics as I work on restoring the cloudy dodger before Dave installs a new seat cushion on the RIB. We also managed to head out for some horsepower on the beach to clear our heads.

Come see how the projects turned out.
https://youtu.be/CwB7di2q6kI