The new outboard saved us again!

Yet another boat dragged anchor into us. That's number five this year. We spotted it before it hit, but it was swinging toward us. I got my ditch kit and hopped in the dinghy. It was about five feet from us when I jammed the little skiff up against its swim ladder and started pushing.

And it worked! The little six-horse Mercury was able to shove the boat--35, maybe 37 feet--well away from us. I pushed it directly away until I felt the anchor dig in again, as far from us as I could get it. Not very far, admittedly, but far enough for safety. For now.

But now we know the dinghy can move our boat if necessary. Since the engine is still not working--the Devil's diesel!--we need that safety margin.