"Tom R." wrote in message
...
The water would come over the transom and the
engine would start to sputter. "Putt, putt, putt, varoom." The look from
the
children and spouse would be answered by, "Don't worry, it is just gasping
for air." My look of confidence was not shared by my brain which was
thinking "this is stupid, get an inboard."

I admire your tenacity during a somewhat difficult situation. You have a
skill shared by few. Your children will never forgot your look of
confidence and will have a grand time sailing.