A drive unit (1) with a steering motor and a propulsion motor, a first (2) of the two motors having a hollow drive shaft (5) through which a drive shaft (14) of a second motor (10) passes. Winding heads (7) of the first motor are positioned radially inside winding heads (15) of the second motor and overlap with them in axial direction, to save structural space in the axial direction. A stator (11) of the second motor is not solid but hollow with a port or bell shape. A rotor (12) of the second motor is in contact with the associated drive shaft not over its entire axial length, but only at a first end (13) which forms the bottom of the pot. This design forms a hollow space in which elements of the first motor can be accommodated at least partially. Parts of the two electric motors (2, 10) overlap in axial direction, where further axial structural space is advantageously saved.