A power head for an outboard motor includes an improved construction that can includes a compactly arranged tilt relay unit of a hydraulic tilt and trim system. The outboard motor includes a drive unit comprising an internal combustion engine. A bracket assembly is adapted to be mounted on an associated watercraft. The bracket supports the drive unit for pivotal movement about a generally horizontally extending tilt axis. A hydraulic tilt system is arranged to tilt up and down the drive unit. The tilt system includes a hydraulic pump and an electric motor actuating the hydraulic pump. A tilt relay unit supplies electric power to the electric motor based upon a control signal. The relay unit is disposed generally between the engine and the bracket assembly.