What is one characteristic of stern drives?

Stern drives, also known as inboard/outboard motors, are unique because they integrate features from both inboard and outboard engines. This design allows the stern drive to be mounted inside the boat, like an inboard engine, while featuring an outdrive that is similar to what you would find on an outboard. This combination offers several advantages, such as improved handling and a higher degree of versatility in different boating conditions.

The other options do not accurately describe stern drives. For instance, being mounted exclusively at the bow is incorrect, as stern drives are specifically designed to be mounted at the stern of the boat. Additionally, stern drives can be either two-stroke or four-stroke engines; thus, stating they are always two-stroke overlooks the variety in engine types. Finally, the notion that they only work with jet boats is misleading since stern drives can be found on a wide range of boats and are not limited to jet-powered types.