An outboard motor configured for attachment to and use with a marine vessel, the outboard motor comprising: an internal combustion engine that provides rotational power output via a crankshaft that extends horizontally or substantially horizontally when the outboard motor is in a standard operational position; wherein the internal combustion engine has a front surface and an aft surface, wherein the front surface faces a marine vessel when in use in the standard operational position, and the aft surface faces away from a marine vessel when in use in the standard operational position, wherein either the internal combustion engine is entirely or substantially above a trimming axis of the outboard motor, or the crankshaft is above the trimming axis of the outboard motor; a propeller rotatable about a propeller axis and positioned vertically below the internal combustion engine when the outboard motor is in a standard operational position; and a transmission means comprising at least a first transmission device and a second transmission device that allows for transmission of at least some of the rotational power output to the propeller, characterised in that the aft surface of the internal combustion engine is connected to a surface or a portion of the first transmission device , wherein a surface or a portion of the first transmission device is further connected to a surface or a portion of the second transmission device , wherein the second transmission device is positioned substantially below the internal combustion engine , between the internal combustion engine and the propeller axis; and wherein a surface or a portion of the second transmission device is further connected at least indirectly by a vertically oriented structure , to a surface or a portion of the internal combustion engine , whereby in combination the internal combustion engine , the first and second transmission devices, and the vertically oriented structure form a rigid combination structure that is substantially rectangular in shape. an internal combustion engine that provides rotational power output via a crankshaft that extends horizontally or substantially horizontally when the outboard motor is in a standard operational position; wherein the internal combustion engine has a front surface and an aft surface, wherein the front surface faces a marine vessel when in use in the standard operational position, and the aft surface faces away from a marine vessel when in use in the standard operational position, wherein either the internal combustion engine is entirely or substantially above a trimming axis of the outboard motor, or the crankshaft is above the trimming axis of the outboard motor; a propeller rotatable about a propeller axis and positioned vertically below the internal combustion engine when the outboard motor is in a standard operational position; and a transmission means comprising at least a first transmission device and a second transmission device that allows for transmission of at least some of the rotational power output to the propeller, characterised in that the aft surface of the internal combustion engine is connected to a surface or a portion of the first transmission device , wherein a surface or a portion of the first transmission device is further connected to a surface or a portion of the second transmission device , wherein the second transmission device is positioned substantially below the internal combustion engine , between the internal combustion engine and the propeller axis; and wherein a surface or a portion of the second transmission device is further connected at least indirectly by a vertically oriented structure , to a surface or a portion of the internal combustion engine , whereby in combination the internal combustion engine , the first and second transmission devices, and the vertically oriented structure form a rigid combination structure that is substantially rectangular in shape. <EOS>