MARINE DRIVES

A stern drive (12) is for propelling a marine vessel in a body of water. The stern drive (12) comprises a mounting assembly (16) for coupling the stern drive (12) to a transom (18) of the marine vessel. The stern drive (12) further comprises a powerhead (14) configured to operate a propulsor (30) to generate a thrust force in the body of water. The drive assembly (20) is trimmable up and down relative to the mounting assembly (16) and comprises a driveshaft (24) which is operably coupled to the powerhead (14) and the propulsor (30). The stern drive (12) further comprises a universal joint (50) which couples the powerhead (14) to the driveshaft (24) so that operation of the powerhead (14) causes rotation of the driveshaft (24), which in turn operates the propulsor (30). The universal joint (50) is configured to facilitate trimming of the drive assembly (20) an amount sufficient to raise at least a majority of the drive assembly (20) out of the body of water.