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As a future R even owner, I’m a bit concerned about how close the props are to the lowered swim step. What can current owners say about this? It appears you cannot raise the outdrive much at all without hitting the swim step, and then the prop is right there too. Are the props out of the way when the unit is all the way down? Is it better to turn the unit all the way to one side? I always worry about someone getting serious gash from outdrive and props when playing around the swim platform. Some sandbars are shallow enough where you to need to raise the outdrive some time keep the skeg off the bottom when the boats rocking and bouncing around. Thanks

On our R5 the swim step will contact the outer prop when the drive is trimmed all the way up if the drive is slightly down it won’t contact the step. When all the way down it isn’t even close to he step. We typically anchor in deep water with the drive down so it isn’t an issue. We don’t typically beach in shallow water but I don’t really worry about the step contacting the drive because it has to be all the way up.

I just add the swim platform as part of the checklist before putting into gear or starting. Blower, people location, lines out of the water, swim platform up?? Much like flying a plane…. I agree it’s kind of silly they can touch when the lower unit is raised.

Yes the swim step can contact props. We check the swimstep position 3 times before we start the engine.

With the step down I dont think there is a way for a person to be ae to touch the props unless they swim under the platform. I dont even bother turning the outdrive to the side any more like we did on our older boats

On my R7 the prop does not come close to the swim platform when fully trimmed up. Guess it depends on which R you have.

Also mine won't start if it's trimmed all the way up.

My 2021 R5 Swim step will not contact the VP outdrive unless you step on it and the drive is all the way up.

I've never even looked at it.