Many Willard 40s were produced with an auxiliary 3-phase electric motor as backup. Either belt or chain drive to main shaft that could be engaged in a pinch. I've been moderator of the Willard owners group for 20+ years and I know of no get-home scenarios. In fact, I know of a few owners who removed the behemoth motor as it required a 3-phase generator.
While I understand Jim Leishmans point about wing with separate shaft and prop, there is a significant tradeoff in maintenance and complexity. A hydraulic on-shaft system driven from a pump off a generator can sit fallow for years and be reliably pressed into service.
The above said, if I were doing some serious offshore passagemaking or circumnavigation, I would opt for a wing engine. But I'd also opt for a non-common rail main engine.
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Cruising our 1970 Willard 36 trawler from California to Florida
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