I have, too. I submit that it may be possible that many may not choose to sail into their own slips because of conditions as suggested in earlier post, but that all skippers should be able to sail into an available dock if (when?) something happens to their engine or prop.
I'm not sure it would be any cheaper to own an engine. Think quickly of the cost of the maintenance, and then think of the costs of running. An auxilary engine on a sailboat may not run often, but it does run and there is a consequence of spent fuel and maintenance. Re-powering could set someone back well over 7k. What about the space taken up by the engine? There is so much room for activities there and/or storing infrequently used gear. Paying for a tow once in a while seems that it could be cheaper. However, I agree that the engine keeps a schedule, and this is the most powerful argument for them. With a busy life and strict schedule most sailors would not get out without an engine. When in dire straights, can one safely sail to their desination? I think so with the right amount of skill and patience, and from the responses it appears that most can.
I've read that 26.5 ft and above fit the yachting class of pleasure craft. Personally, I think small boats are up to 23 ft or so.
When in dire staights it may sometimes be more prudent to sail away from the destination and wait for better weather to attempt a passage across a treacherous shoal. Many of the passes here in Southwest Florida are impassable except in the best of conditions. New Pass is currently very treacherous with a newly shipwrecked SV stuck on the shoal. Stump Pass and Big Sarasota Pass require Local Knowledge. Longboat Pass is OK but scary when the wind and seas are up. Venice Pass is navigable in almost any weather conditions but I've seen times when even Venice Pass is too dangerous. Further south is Boca Grande pass with shoals both north and south of the pass and very strong tidal currents.
