IT'S ALIVE!!! (the boat rises from the slab and goes sailing)

Courage, I've heard, is not the lack of fear, but acting despite fear. If true, today I displayed courage. After ten months pouring time, money, and heart into the boat, today  (with my neighbor Paul) I took it out for a sail.

So, what did I fear?
1) Hitting other boats in the narrow marina: this boat does NOT turn easily. This is good in the open, bad in tight spaces.

2) running aground (this place is SO shallow that I can not get out most of the time... I think. This really scares me.)
3) problems with the boat... sails, masts, booms, etc, Etc, ETC! Nothing showed up this time.
4) unexpected issues. Two turned up: the steering locks in an unexpected way (so I was stuck heading toward a shoal, but figured it out in time) and the modifications done by prior owners cause the main sheet to ALWAYS wrap (tangle) on the winch. Both are easily solvable... I think.

So, my neighbor, Paul, volunteered to help out and we had a great shakedown sail in rather heavy wind (30 mph plus gusts)!

I'm satisfied and elated and exhausted.... and looking forward to sailing south with Cynthia in a few days or so.