Johnson And Evinrude Boat Engines: Similarities And Differences

Johnson and Evinrude are two brands of boat engines that have a shared history. They were formerly owned by the publicly traded Outboard Marine Corporation (OMC) and are currently owned by Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP). While there are some differences between the two brands, there is also a lot of overlap, and it is not uncommon for people to compare them to automotive brands Chevrolet and Buick, which are both owned by General Motors.

Johnson and Evinrude were owned by the same company

Johnson and Evinrude were, at one point, owned by the same company. Evinrude Outboard Motors was founded by Ole Evinrude in 1907 and was acquired by the Outboard Marine Corporation (OMC) in 1935. Johnson, on the other hand, was founded earlier, in 1903, by the Johnson brothers, Harry, Clarence, and Warren Johnson. Johnson merged with Evinrude's company in 1936 to form the Outboard Marine Corporation.

In 2000, OMC filed for bankruptcy and its assets, including the Johnson and Evinrude brands, were acquired by Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP). Under BRP, Johnson and Evinrude became distinct brands with different markets. Evinrude focused on two-stroke engines using E-TEC technology, a high-tech fuel injection system, while Johnson offered smaller carbureted two-strokes and four-stroke engines.

In May 2020, BRP announced the discontinuation of the Evinrude brand and exited the outboard boat motor market. Despite this, BRP continues to support existing Evinrude engine owners and provide service parts and warranties.

Johnson and Evinrude engines are similar in performance

In the 1990s, OMC began to differentiate the two brands by reserving direct injection (DI) motors for Evinrude, while Johnson continued to use carburetors. In 1998, OMC filed for bankruptcy and was acquired by Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP), which continued to market Johnson and Evinrude engines to different markets. Evinrude became known for its two-stroke engines, while Johnson focused on four-stroke engines.

Despite these differences, Johnson and Evinrude engines continued to be similar in performance. Both brands had a reputation for being reliable, although they were also known for being gas guzzlers. In the early 2000s, BRP introduced the E-TEC direct injection technology, which improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions for Evinrude engines. This technology won the US Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Air Excellence Award in 2004.

In summary, while Johnson and Evinrude engines may have had some differences in terms of branding, marketing, and technology, they remained similar in performance throughout their history.

Johnson and Evinrude engines differ in their fuel efficiency

Johnson and Evinrude are brands of boat engines that were initially produced by separate companies but have since been acquired by the same parent company. Johnson and Evinrude engines differ in their fuel efficiency, with Evinrude engines being more fuel-efficient than Johnson engines.

Johnson and Evinrude were two separate companies that produced boat engines. They were both founded in the early 20th century and became competitors in the outboard motor market. In 1936, the two companies merged to form the Outboard Marine Corporation (OMC). Despite the merger, the two companies continued to produce engines under their respective brands. After the merger, Johnson and Evinrude engines became more similar, and by the mid-1950s, the differences between them had almost completely disappeared, with only cosmetic differences distinguishing the two brands.

In 2000, OMC filed for bankruptcy and was acquired by Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP). BRP continued to produce engines under both the Johnson and Evinrude brands but positioned them in different markets. Evinrude became known for its two-stroke engines using E-TEC technology, a high-tech fuel injection system that improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions. On the other hand, Johnson focused on smaller carbureted two-stroke engines, while its larger engines were four-strokes.

The Evinrude E-TEC engine was recognised for its low emission levels, winning the US Environmental Protection Agency's 2004 Clean Air Excellence Award. It was found to have significantly lower carbon monoxide emissions compared to similar four-stroke engines, as well as lower particulate matter and hydrocarbon emissions. The E-TEC engine's fuel efficiency and environmental performance contributed to its success, despite some boaters not fully understanding the technology behind it.

In summary, while Johnson and Evinrude boat engines share a similar history and were produced by the same company for a period, they differ in their fuel efficiency due to their distinct technologies and market positioning. Evinrude's E-TEC engines are known for their improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions, setting them apart from Johnson's two-stroke and four-stroke engines.

Johnson and Evinrude engines have different maintenance needs

Johnson and Evinrude engines have distinct maintenance requirements, owing to differences in their design and technology.

Evinrude engines, for instance, employ a two-stroke direct-injection system, while Johnson engines utilize a four-stroke configuration for their larger engines. This distinction influences the frequency of oil changes and the overall maintenance routine. Evinrude's pinpoint oiling system, a feature absent in comparable four-stroke engines, ensures that oil is applied only to the necessary components, reducing oil consumption and maintenance needs.

The two brands also differ in their fuel injection technology. Evinrude's E-TEC fuel injection system is a high-tech innovation that enhances fuel efficiency, lowers emissions, and reduces noise levels. This technology has earned Evinrude the US Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Air Excellence Award, recognizing its significantly lower carbon monoxide and total particulate matter emissions compared to similar four-stroke engines. Johnson engines, on the other hand, have been observed to be phasing out their four-stroke models in favour of the more popular E-TEC sales.

Additionally, the two brands cater to different markets. Evinrude targets the two-stroke engine market, while Johnson focuses on both smaller carbureted two-stroke and larger four-stroke engines. This market differentiation further underscores the unique maintenance requirements of each brand.

While Johnson and Evinrude engines share similarities in their foundational technology, such as the vertical crankshaft and horizontal flywheels, the distinct advancements and design choices of each brand result in varied maintenance routines and needs.

Johnson and Evinrude engines are available in different horsepower ranges

The horsepower of a Johnson or Evinrude outboard engine can be identified by looking at the model number. The model number is typically found on an identification tag located on the transom mounting bracket of the engine. Following the model variation and style letters, there will be two or three numbers representing the horsepower of the engine.

While Johnson and Evinrude engines may have similar horsepower options, it is important to note that they are marketed towards different consumers. Evinrude is positioned as a premium brand with its two-stroke engines and advanced fuel injection technology, while Johnson targets the masses with a mix of two-stroke and four-stroke engines.

In terms of performance, Evinrude's E-TEC engines offer improved fuel efficiency, reduced emissions, lower maintenance requirements, and quieter operation compared to traditional two-stroke or four-stroke engines. This has been recognized by the US Environmental Protection Agency, which awarded Evinrude the Clean Air Excellence Award for its low emission levels.

Therefore, while Johnson and Evinrude engines may have overlapping horsepower ranges, they cater to different markets and offer distinct features and benefits to boat owners.

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