"Ever watch Wicked Tuna or see a shrimp boats head offshore. Most of those are single engines. "
Indeed, but those boats have high freeboard/transom, self bailing decks and are designed to take on a significant sea if the engine is disabled. Have I ventured offshore in single engined outboard boats? Yes, I have, but they were hulls designed for the seas I would expect to possibly encounter. Would I venture out 20+ miles in my 24' bayboat? Naw....I'll pass....I'm not that mad at the snapper anymore
. JMO