So I grew up around fishing boats and my father ALWAYS raised the drives to transport his boats. My question is I see quite a few people pulling with the drives down. Is there an advantage to that? Disadvantage? I searched and did not seem to come up with a standard rule of thumb on clearance most would recommend if towing with them down. Towing with a F250 pulling a Formula 357.
Thanks in Advance,
Damien
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Depends on how high the skeg to ground clearance is.

I would say if you have the clearance down would be better on the drives going over bumps having the trim rams in rather than all the way out. Less downward force with them down imo

It is like holding a lets just say 25lb dumb bell at your side and jump up and down then holde it straight out and jump again what way would be harder on your arm. Same thing with your drives.

Big difference in a single vs a twin setup. Singles most likely will need to be raised due to ground clearance (I always used trailering clips to minimize stress). Twins however with the higher x-dimension would be fine for trailering down (and probably be less stress). Just my observation.

With my 272 twin, I have plenty of clearance to leave them down (I usually trim them up to 7 or 8 on the indicator though). Just be careful if you drive from a transition from flat to a steep hill as that is when the skegs would hit if ever.

So I will tow with them down.... What do you all feel is a good (clearance) height to tow with them down? Not trying to loss a skeg going down the road. Thanks for all the input as well.

good clearance is at minimum, higher than the rear cross member on your trailer. From there, depends on any angles that you might BACK over or encounter as a "break over", ie crown or "tent" like construction in the road. I say, back over, because if higher than the rear cross member, cross member should hit first while in forward motion.... You raise a good question, and have me thinking for my own set up.....

If you're worried about the weight of the drive bouncing on the Rams imagine how bad it is trimming up at wot and and 600+hp in choppy water

As long as you have 1/8" you are good.