A couple of my outboards may be in deep sh....................water

I take plenty of backup, and usually not all that far out. Small "trolling" motor that isn't for trolling, usually the electric one, and if all else fails, an actual oar

I may never try try this. A properly tuned and propped outboard in good shape will rev to rated redline, so I'm thinkin one problem is to over prop it "a lot." Just getting props for these old girls is a chore. Most of the older outboards simply had no prop markings, so you don't know what you have. The diameter is restrictive as well, AKA you are not gonna get a 50hp prop on a 40, generally speaking