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-rebui... 🍹 Rum tasting article in Latitudes and Attitudes magazine – it’s delicious! https://digitalmagazine.latsatts.com/... 🌊 Our Bahamas snorkeling article (also in Lats & Atts) https://summer2023.latsatts.com/there... 🍹 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! ⚓ 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/sa... 🎒 We take our Ugowear waterproof bags EVERYWHERE! Amazing company, amazing gear. Affiliate link: https://ugowear.com?aff=34 ⛵ Join the journey https://sailingdarkangel.com Lisa's personal blog is being added now. Like what you see? You can even buy us a beer 🍻 🛠️ Help us keep sailing Amazon wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls... 🎥 Become part of the Crew on Patreon Without a Crew, a Ship Has No Direction.   / sailingdarkangel   📰 Our first article in Pussfoot Magazine! https://www.pussfoot.com/blogs/water/... 👕 Dark Angel & Be Nauti Swag https://spoiledbratdesigns.com/produc... Want something custom? Email: [email protected] 📱 Join us on social Facebook:   / sailingdarkangel   X / Twitter: https://x.com/SailinDarkAngel TikTok:   / sailing_darkangel   Instagram:   / sailingdarkangel   🎶 Opening and closing song: “Who We Are” by Miah Check out his band NINETEEN EIGHTY SEVEN https://nineteeneightyseven.com https://open.spotify.com/artist/6WaNV... Lisa & Dave Sailing Dark Angel #boatlife #catamaran #islandspirit #sailing #cruisinglife #sailboats © Sailing Dark Angel 2026