Is an outboard necessary?

[rwoofer]

Well there are an awful lot of boats in the Solent with single engines and no spare from little fishers to nearly every RIB and a lot more besides. Just like me.

Maybe it's because I've been brought up on the water since I was a child and that 40 years experience of mucking about in boats has turned me into a reckless boater? Or maybe it because I have enough experience to make some sensible judgements on risk and make my own decisions which might include not having a liferaft or not generally wearing a lifejacket?

Thank god the sea is still somewhere to get away from the H & S brigade.

 

[Beamishken]

For the op it's maybe not essential but for any distance in the sea then I wouldn't go out without some form of backup
We just motored 100 nm back from north of oban to Largs on one engine after blowing a head gasket we just did the trip in short hops at 6kts over a week so it didn't spoil the holiday totally
Maybe you couldn't do that with an outboard but at least you'll get to safety under your own steam
Can't think of anything worse than having the 'tow of shame' back to a marina
Obviously it depends on your sailing area but personally I'd say out at sea or even a large estuary back up is essential
Breakdowns don't usually happen at convenient times or in good weather