In this area they are red boats....
I think the allergies are outpaced by people foolish enough to forego
with towing insurance..
That being said, the Channel Islands are a popular destination for
"coastal cruisers" and there can be a 5 or 6 hour response time for
towing depending on conditions, etc. I would be much more comfortable
with some type of backup propulsion as opposed to waiting for
assistance to arrive... My "coastal cruising" sailboat has a 40 hp.
Isuzu diesel auxillary(yes, overkill,factory diesel was 12 hp one
lunger,but it came with the boat) but I still have installed a
swingdown bracket for the outboard from my dighy, there's a lot to be
said for maneuverability in less than desireable situations. Poor
maintanence does not preclude you from hitting a submerged object and
losing your screw, or any of many other maladies that can
occur....having a plan "B" is ALWAYS better than having no backup...And
in addressing coastal cruising, many harbor entrances themselves are
sometimes challenging to transit... mine takes you less than 100 yards
off the beach, and often within yards of the rollers.
A person can easily drown in the surf zone, even with their PFD
on...I've seen it.. would it not be better to have been able to power
out of that situation instead of having the attitude that "I don't need
it, I'm well maintained and I like yellow boats"? Did you happen to
see what happened to the Irving Johnson 30 yards from my harbor's
entrance (it was nationally televised) That was a highly maintained
heavy full keeled vessel, but alas, it was powerless after losing the
main..
Nothing like an accident waiting to happen....