THEME:   vertical phrases containing the letter run EDIT   
GOOD ONES:     Boat lifters {& theme}   RISING TIDES [reading up, the word TIDE rises; and I thought 
mechanical lifters found in boat yards]   
Shakes, as a tail   LOSES [as in tec fiction]   
One-time connection   AT A [not that the connection was one time only or long ago]   
Source of addl. evening light  DST [I thought electricity, etc.]      
BTW:   "Advise" for MENTOR and AWE for "Leave dumstruck" are verbs here, not nouns as they usually are.            
RATING:    
 
 
Three grins = Loved it; Two grins = Enjoyed it; One grin = A bit bland for my taste; One teardrop = Not much fun