747,
I almost NEVER electric start. The only time that I will ever really use my electric starter is when I am trying to start an engine that is way out of tune, such as a new engine or one that has been disassembled and put back together. IMHO, if you learn to hand start your engines you will have a better understanding of how they are running. I know this may sound a bit corny, but it's almost a Zen type of thing. When you learn to properly hand start your engines you can usually "feel" that something isn't right in them.

Just me 2¢ worth!!

Ken