An engine for a marine drive has a combustion chamber. An engine body of the engine defines intake and exhaust ports communicating with the combustion chamber. An air induction system communicates with the combustion chamber through intake ports. An exhaust system communicates with the combustion chamber through the exhaust ports. Intake valves move between an opening position and a closing position of the intake ports. Exhaust valves move between an opening position and a closing position of the exhaust ports. Camshafts actuate the intake and the exhaust valves. A hydraulic VVT mechanism changes an actuating timing of the camshaft at which the camshaft actuates the intake valves or the exhaust valves. An ECU controls the VVT mechanism based upon a control characteristic. A temperature sensor, such as an oil temperature sensor, a water temperature sensor and an engine body temperature sensor, senses a temperature of oil of the VVT or a temperature relating to the temperature of the oil and sends a temperature signal to the ECU. The ECU adjusts the control characteristic when the temperature is lower than a preset temperature.