An "out of boat experience" for our engine

Today our engine had an "out of boat experience."  With the assistance of Mike from L&M Marine, we test ran the engine out side of the boat.

This required using our five gallon fuel jug as a fuel tank; pulling the starter battery out of the boat; running a hose into a 5 gallon bucket for the cooling water, and feeding the exhaust into the gravel drive.  Although a bit reluctant at first, after a nearly five month nap, the engine did run well.

Hopefully tomorrow, one month to the day that we hauled the engine, it will be back in the boat.  I'll let you know how it goes....