If you’ve owned a boat for any length of time, you’ve probably heard the name Evinrude mentioned with a mix of nostalgia and confusion. Older boaters remember it as one of the most trusted names in outboard motors, while newer buyers often aren’t sure if the brand even exists anymore.
That confusion is understandable, because the answer isn’t a simple yes or no. This article walks through Evinrude’s history, what actually happened to the company, whether you can still buy one of its motors, and what current owners need to know going forward.
Briefly Introduce Evinrude
Evinrude was founded in 1907 by Ole Evinrude in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, after he built one of the first practical outboard motors. That single invention changed boating forever, giving everyday people an affordable way to power a boat without relying on oars or sails. Over the following decades, Evinrude grew into one of the most recognized names in the marine industry, trusted by fishermen, recreational boaters, and even military users. The brand later introduced its E-TEC engine line in the early 2000s, which was praised for being more fuel-efficient and cleaner-running than older two-stroke designs, and it kept Evinrude competitive well into the 2010s.
Is Evinrude Still in Business?
Here’s the direct answer: Evinrude is no longer manufacturing new outboard motors. In May 2020, its parent company, Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP), announced it was discontinuing the brand’s engine production entirely, ending a run that had lasted well over a century. That said, saying the company is simply “out of business” does not fully explain what actually happened. BRP itself is still very much active, and it continues supporting existing Evinrude engines through parts and service. So while you won’t find a brand-new Evinrude motor rolling off an assembly line today, the brand hasn’t vanished completely from the boating world.
The End of Evinrude’s Production: What Happened?
The shutdown announcement caught a lot of people in the boating industry off guard. More than 350 employees at Evinrude’s production facility in Sturtevant, Wisconsin were affected when BRP made the call to stop manufacturing. BRP framed the decision as part of a broader strategic shift, choosing to put more of its resources behind other product lines like Sea-Doo watercraft and Can-Am vehicles instead of continuing to invest in outboard engine development. The timing, in the middle of 2020, also meant the announcement landed right as the pandemic was already disrupting supply chains and consumer spending across the marine industry.
Reason for Closure
At its core, the closure came down to Evinrude losing ground in a competitive market. Rivals like Mercury Marine and Yamaha offered a much wider range of engine sizes and price points, making it easier for them to serve everyone from casual weekend boaters to serious offshore fishermen. Evinrude’s lineup, while technically impressive, had gaps that made it harder to compete on price and versatility. Many boaters were also shifting toward four-stroke engines, and Evinrude’s continued focus on two-stroke technology, even with the improved E-TEC design, made it a tougher sell to buyers who associated two-strokes with older, less efficient engines.
Can You Still Buy Evinrude Motors?
You can’t buy a brand-new Evinrude motor anymore, since production stopped completely in 2020. However, used and pre-owned Evinrude engines are still widely available through boat dealers, private sellers, and online marketplaces, and many of them have years of reliable use left in them. Replacement parts are also still obtainable, both through BRP’s authorized dealer network and from independent marine parts suppliers who specialize in keeping older outboards running. If you’re considering a used boat with an Evinrude engine, it’s still a reasonably practical option, as long as you confirm a local mechanic or dealer can service it.
What Led to Evinrude’s Exit from the Outboard Motor Industry?
Beyond the competitive pressure, there was a clear business logic behind BRP’s decision. Rather than continuing to fund expensive engine research and development, BRP chose to partner with Mercury Marine to supply engines for its boat brands going forward, letting Mercury handle the engineering side entirely. That move let BRP avoid the ongoing capital costs of developing new outboard technology while still being able to sell complete boats. In other words, BRP wasn’t abandoning the marine industry altogether, it was simply stepping away from being an engine manufacturer itself and leaning on an established partner instead.
What Happens to Evinrude’s Customers and Engines?
For current Evinrude owners, the closure doesn’t mean their motor is suddenly unusable. BRP has continued supporting existing customers through its dealer network, offering parts, servicing, and warranty support for engines that are already in the field. There’s also a strong community element here. Evinrude owners and marine mechanics regularly share maintenance tips and troubleshooting advice online, which has helped keep older engines running well past their expected lifespan. Independent parts suppliers have stepped in too, building supply chains specifically to support engines that no longer have active factory production behind them.
Can Evinrude Make a Comeback?
Whether Evinrude could return to making new engines is genuinely uncertain. There’s no official word from BRP or any other company about reviving the brand, and nothing currently suggests a relaunch is in the works.It’s not impossible that another manufacturer could eventually acquire the Evinrude name and restart production, since brand revivals do happen in other industries. But given BRP’s current focus on Sea-Doo, Can-Am, and its Mercury partnership, a comeback doesn’t look likely anytime soon, even if plenty of loyal boaters would welcome it.
Conclusion
So, is Evinrude still in business? As a manufacturer of new outboard motors, no, production ended in 2020 after more than a century of operation. But the brand’s legacy continues through the huge number of engines still on the water, ongoing parts and service support, and a loyal community of owners who aren’t ready to let the name fade away. If you already own one, or you’re considering a used boat with an Evinrude engine, there’s still a solid support system in place to keep it running for years to come.
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