Provided is a system for protecting submerged components of a watercraft from collision with a submerged object or a floor of a body of water. The system includes a depth sensor configured to measure a water depth beneath the watercraft, an actuated mechanism configured to adjust a depth of at least one of the submerged components, and a controller in communication with the depth sensor and the actuated mechanism. The controller is operable to receive the measured water depth and control the actuated mechanism to adjust the depth of the at least one submerged component as a function of the measured water depth to prevent the at least one submerged component from colliding with the submerged object or floor of the body of water.