[Fr. Frank]

For trips within 25 miles of shore, a single engine is a better choice, IMHO, but, if you venture beyond normal VHF ship-to-shore range (24 miles assuming 8' antenna), two engines are better, whether they are paired twins, or main with auxiliary.

If you fish the Middle Grounds 85-105 miles off Florida's west coast, losing your only motor 1/3 of the way back is a major bummer, and a potentialy life-endangering event. Even a 15hp auxiliary on a 25' boat can bring you home from 60 miles out in about 10-12 hours. Much better than paying a commercial towing company $200 or more an hour to bring you back, assuming you're near enough to one of the Petrocom cell phone repeaters to call for help. And they charge up to $20 a minute to patch your call through.

I know TowBoat US will generally NOT come get your boat over 25 miles offshore because of their insurance coverages. SeaTow MAY come get your boat, but will likely invoke salvage fees on your insurance company or bill you for extraordinary costs, (which they may do by contract).

That's why I always have two engines; in my case a main and an auxiliary on both boats that go into the ocean.

• On the 20' Seafari: '06 90hp Optimax main and '84 Wards 15hp kicker.
  On the 17' Proline: '78 90hp I6 Merc main and '84 Suzuki 2hp kicker.

The Seafari runs about 8 mph at 80% throttle with the 15hp kicker, the Proline 5 mph at about 80% throttle with it's 2hp kicker. It's enough to get me home, or keep the bow into the seas in a storm. I also carry enough extra fuel to have a reserve of 45 minutes running time at cruise.

Finally, if you go out of sight of land, 406 EPIRB is a must.