Yea, ok, maybe its not as bad as a single, like The Greaser points out having two engines will give a lower rate of descent, and if an engine fails enroute, maybe you can save the aircraft. Trouble is engine failure will invariably happen at a crucial moment in flight (just as the gear goes up!) and if not handled correctly will put you in a world of !!!!!. Same with all multi's of course though at least if the A/C can climb on one engine, all be it slowly, it is less likely the pilot will end up trying to gain altitude (stretching the glide) when it is clearly impossible, and then you start getting into the messy world of Vmc at low altitude with the only way to stay in control is pitch down / reduce power....might as well be in a single, its lighter and will stop quicker on the ground...this is just my view...
I wouldn't be too happy about flying a S1 in the Cable / Bracket area of California, there's a lot of high mountains to get over if you want to go anywhere......
Oh yea, and didn't the Stabilator used to fall off !
Cheers
EA