I seem to recall that my dad at one point (sometime during the Reagan
 administration) had our 125hp V4 Johnson outboard's
points-type distributor and ignition with a magneto of some kind. 
I can't remember why, I think it might have been our outboard
mechanic's theory that the distributor/ignition system was keeping
the battery from charging  properly (again a strong argument for a
valid correlation between theory and fact), but apparently the technology
exists.  I think it may have grown more from the frustration my father
had with replacing boat batteries so frequently and our mechanic's
desire to do a cool hack.  It seemed to fix the problem, much the
same way amputation will cure a sprained ankle.



John Slade wrote:

 If you want true redundancy, you must double up on the systems that have a possibility of killing you engine (and you,no matter how remote) 

 

I like to see some expertise put into adding backup ignition & fuel delivery systems. Could a carburetor with its own fuel feed double as a throttle body, and could a magneto be used to run the ignition?

John