Chilly, windy, sunny. Still hanging at Oak Harbor Marina, buying stuff, trying to get things done.

Started the outboard for the first time, idled for 10minutes, 1st step in the break-in process.

1 of my biggest concerns is battery power to start the engine. If that's all it did, that wouldnt be so bad, but in the engine-off hours, i have electronic devices to charge (computer, celfon, SpotX communicator), and lights (cabin light occasionally, and "anchor light" which is a white light atop the cabin to ward off collisions when anchored. (You'd think boats running around at nite would have headlights, but that's not generally the way it's done.) I have 2 marine 12-volt batteries for the engines and the electric power. Also, even the outboard has an alternator capable of charging the batts. Still worried, today i bought a cute little 12v lawnmower battery, only ~$22 at WalMart [honest i never shop at WalMart], it'll charge during the day when the engine's running, then run my devices and the anchor lite at nite, no drain on the main batts.

O and i bot a roll of that super-sealer tape on TV where the guy saws his boat in half and tapes it back together. For when i hit a log or rocks.

We've worked it out among my supporting people here: Hanna will pickup my pickup friday, then i'll boat to Bellingham, where i'll spend a few days, rendezvous with wonderful Mitch/Anita, and pickup stuff i had shipped there: raft, anchor, chain, fancy PFD, etc. Hopefully get the Canadian charts i need too.

Today talked to several inspirational folks. They say i'll have a great time.