When I was picked up, the USCG
boat was operating on only one of the two engines. Their own
engine had died from the clogging use of ethanol gasoline. But the USCG is not allowed to use ethanol free gas, as I am. Now all my small motors including my snowblower run on it.
But even the smallest day excursion can turn into a long outing if
weather conditions change drastically, and if you aren't prepared. Its especially yucky when you are within sight on your binoculars of where you need to be but just can't get there, and a drifting away from the place.
I love holier than thou sailors who don't understand that other sailor's best made plans turn out to be sadly less than they thought it would be---because it never happened to them. If they get out enough, it eventually will happen to them. So many things can happen that you didn't expect when you are out on the
water. And if the
water temperature where you sail is 50 degrees F, falling in is also immediately life threatening.