If you own an Evinrude outboard or you’re looking at a used boat with one, you’ve probably heard some version of the news: Evinrude is done. But what does that actually mean? Is the company bankrupt? Can you still get parts? Should you avoid buying a boat with an Evinrude engine?
This article answers all of that directly. No runaround, no filler — just a clear explanation of what happened, why it happened, and what it means for you today.
Evinrude Outboard Motors No Longer Exist — But BRP Does
Here’s the short answer: Evinrude outboard motors are gone. On May 27, 2020, BRP (Bombardier Recreational Products) announced it was immediately stopping all Evinrude outboard motor production and retiring the brand for good.
But this is important — Evinrude was never a standalone company at the end. It was a brand owned by BRP, the Canadian company also behind Sea-Doo, Ski-Doo, and Can-Am. BRP itself is still very much in business. It’s Evinrude as a product line that no longer exists.
This distinction matters if you’re an owner worried about what happens next. A brand being retired is not the same as a company going bankrupt and walking away. BRP made a business decision to stop making outboard motors — it didn’t collapse or disappear overnight.
A Brief History of Evinrude — From 1907 to Its Final Year
Evinrude has a long history. Ole Evinrude founded the company in Milwaukee in 1907, making it one of the oldest outboard motor manufacturers in the world. For most of the 20th century, the brand operated under Outboard Marine Corporation, known as OMC.
When OMC went bankrupt in 2000, BRP stepped in and acquired the Evinrude brand. Under BRP, the company became known for its E-TEC and E-TEC G2 two-stroke direct-injection engines — technology that Evinrude pushed hard as cleaner and more efficient than older two-stroke designs.
By the time it was discontinued, Evinrude had over 110 years of history behind it. Motor Boat & Yachting described it as “the oldest name in the outboard business.” That makes the 2020 shutdown significant — not just for owners, but for the marine industry as a whole.
Why BRP Shut Down Evinrude in 2020
BRP’s official explanation was COVID-19. The pandemic disrupted manufacturing and hurt the market in ways the company said it couldn’t overcome. But if you look at the full picture, COVID-19 was more of a final push than the root cause.
Evinrude’s engines were two-stroke designs at a time when the market had largely moved to four-stroke outboards. Competitors like Yamaha, Mercury, Honda, and Suzuki had been expanding their four-stroke lineups for years. Evinrude’s E-TEC technology was technically impressive, but it was working against a strong industry current.
Market share was shrinking. Justifying continued investment in manufacturing, tooling, and development became harder to defend. According to Soundings Online, BRP acknowledged that COVID-19 was “too much to overcome the builder’s challenges” — note that phrasing. There were already challenges in place before the pandemic hit.
BRP’s decision was ultimately strategic. Rather than keep pouring money into a segment where it was losing ground, the company chose to exit the outboard engine business entirely and redirect its focus elsewhere. It’s the kind of move businesses make when a product line stops making financial sense, regardless of how well-known the brand is.
What Evinrude Owners Can Still Do Today
If you already own an Evinrude engine, you don’t need to panic — but you do need to stay informed. Here’s the practical reality.
Parts and Service Are Still Available
BRP committed to continuing parts supply, service, and warranty support for existing Evinrude engines after the shutdown. The Evinrude dealer network didn’t disappear overnight. Owners can use the dealer locator on Evinrude.com, access the official FAQ page, and contact BRP support directly for help.
Let’s say you own a 2017 Evinrude E-TEC. That engine still runs. You can still get it serviced. Parts are still moving through BRP’s dealer network. Your engine isn’t suddenly worthless or unsupported just because new ones aren’t being built.
Long-Term Parts Availability Is Not Guaranteed Forever
Here’s the honest caveat: BRP has not made a permanent, open-ended promise to supply parts indefinitely. What they’ve committed to is support — but that support is subject to real-world business decisions over time.
As years pass, some parts may become harder to find. This is common with any discontinued engine brand. If you’re planning to keep your Evinrude for another decade, it’s worth stocking up on commonly replaced parts while they’re still easy to source, and finding a dealer or independent mechanic who knows the engine well.
What About Buying a Used Boat with an Evinrude?
This is where people have the most questions. If you’re looking at a used boat powered by an Evinrude E-TEC or G2, there are real pros and cons to consider.
On the positive side: E-TEC engines were well-regarded for their performance and fuel efficiency. Because the brand is discontinued, you may find these boats priced lower than comparable boats with active-brand engines — which could be an opportunity if you go in with your eyes open.
On the cautious side: No new replacement engines will be made. If your engine suffers a catastrophic failure years from now, replacing it with another Evinrude won’t be an option. You’d be looking at a repower with a different brand, which adds cost and complexity.
If you’re buying used, have the engine inspected by a technician familiar with Evinrude motors. Ask about service history, confirm parts are still available for that specific model year, and factor in the repower scenario when negotiating price.
What Happened to BRP’s Marine Business After 2020?
After exiting the outboard engine market, BRP shifted its focus toward recreational boats under brands like Alumacraft and Manitou. But the story didn’t stop there.
In 2024, BRP announced it was initiating a process to sell several of its marine businesses, including Alumacraft, Manitou, and the Australian brand Telwater. Reports indicate Alumacraft was sold to Brighton Marine Group and Telwater to Yamaha Motor Australia. This suggests BRP has been steadily pulling back from marine altogether, not just outboard engines.
For Evinrude owners, this is worth watching. As BRP reduces its direct involvement in marine, the infrastructure supporting Evinrude service and parts could shift. It’s not a reason to panic today, but it’s a reason to stay aware and not assume the current level of support will last forever without change.
Is There Any Chance Evinrude Comes Back?
Honestly? It looks unlikely. No credible source has reported a planned revival of the brand, and BRP’s official stance is that Evinrude is retired. Motor Boat & Yachting noted at the time of the shutdown that the brand’s history “looks set to end here.”
Could another company buy the Evinrude name and do something with it? Theoretically yes — brand names get bought and sold. But as of now, there’s no announcement, no rumor with substance behind it, and no clear business case for someone to revive a two-stroke outboard brand in a market that has moved firmly toward four-stroke and increasingly electric engines.
If you’re holding out hope for a comeback, it’s better to plan as if it won’t happen and be pleasantly surprised if it does.
The Bigger Business Lesson Here
The Evinrude story is a clear example of what happens when a legacy brand falls behind a market shift and then gets hit by an external crisis at the same time. The market moved toward four-stroke engines. Evinrude doubled down on two-stroke technology. COVID-19 then made the cost of staying in the fight too high to justify.
For more coverage of business decisions, brand strategy, and how companies navigate major market changes, Slide Journal covers these topics in a practical, no-fluff format worth bookmarking.
BRP made a calculated exit rather than a desperate one. That’s actually the better outcome for owners — a planned shutdown with committed support is far better than a company collapsing overnight and leaving everyone stranded.
Bottom Line
Evinrude outboard motors are no longer being made. The brand was retired by BRP in May 2020 due to a combination of COVID-19 and deeper competitive pressures in the marine market. BRP itself is still in business — Evinrude as a product line is not.
If you own an Evinrude, your engine still works and support is still available through BRP’s dealer network. Stay in touch with a qualified dealer, be realistic about long-term parts availability, and plan ahead. If you’re buying a used boat with an Evinrude, go in informed — there’s value there, but also real risk that deserves a clear-eyed look before you sign anything.
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