What Year is My Johnson or Evinrude Outboard?

While Ole Evinrude was the pioneer in developing and manufacturing the first commercially successful outboard motor in the early 1900s, it was Outboard Marine Corporation (OMC), formed in 1929 by a merger of Evinrude's companies and others, that developed the model number coding system for Evinrude and Johnson outboard motors.

OMC implemented a standardized system to better categorize and identify the various models across their brands, including Evinrude and Johnson. The OMC model number system is a coded system designed to provide information about the motor's brand, shaft length, horsepower, features, and model year.

The model number on your outboard motor is more than just a sequence of letters and numbers; it's a detailed code that provides valuable information about your motor's brand, shaft length, horsepower, and any special features.

Depending on the year range your motor falls into, you may also find your engine model year information in the model number.

Where can I find the model number on an OMC outboard?

Ok, hopefully you have tracked down your model number, now what?

Deciphering the model number of your Evinrude or Johnson outboard motor can reveal a great deal about its specifications and capabilities. The model number includes information about the engine's length, horsepower, and special features.

For instance, the prefix 'J' stands for Johnson, and 'E' for Evinrude, followed by letters denoting the shaft length ('L' for 20” long) and numbers indicating the horsepower. The suffix might include letters signifying features, such as 'AP' for Advanced Propulsion or 'D' for Evinrude E-TEC technology.

The method for determining the year of the engine from the model number has changed several times over the years. There are three distinct epochs in model designators: prior to 2003, the introduction of the E-TEC engine; after 2012, when model year designation was eliminated; and after 2014, following the introduction of the E-TEC G2 engines.

CLICK HERE for the comprehensive guide to OMC Johnson & Evinrude engines 1913-2005

CLICK HERE for the comprehensive guide to BRP Johnson & Evinrude engines 2005-Present

1969-1979

The year of manufacture is indicated in the model number.

For example, 150TXL78 is a 150hp engine from 1978, or model number 65ESLR72 would be from 1972. It's usually the last two digits in the model number.

1980-2010

Beginning in 1980, OMC switched to a model complex code system. They chose the word "INTRODUCES" and assigned numbers from 0 to 9 to determine the engine year and its features. The model year typically consists of the two letters preceding the last letter, which is a model year suffix.

I	N	T	R	O	D	U	C	E	S
1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0

EXAMPLE - A "ET" model would be a 1993. Between 1999 and 2001, OMC introduced a 4-stroke engine. The model number code had to be updated to include 4-stroke engines, but the INTRODUCES code still functions the same way.

2011-2018

With the introduction of the E-TEC engine, Evinrude added a code "D" to the design feature field. In 2010, when E-TEC engines were available with ICON Electronic Shift and Throttle (EST) controls, a "D" prefix was added. The letter "D" now had three possible meanings, depending on its position in the code. The prefix "B" indicated a special engine version that meets emission restrictions on certain Swiss Lakes.

In approximately 2012, Evinrude discontinued using a model year designator and began to specify the engine production epoch with a three-letter code. (See below for explanation) In 2014, Evinrude introduced its second-generation E-TEC engine, the E-TEC G2 models. A new system of model prefixes was added, called ENGINE FAMILY IDENTIFICATION.

As shown above, the model code C150PLHABA decodes as follows:

C means a 66° V-block G2 engine
150 means 150-HP
P means steered by an external actuator
L means 20-inch shaft length
H means rated for high output
AB means the second major variant in this series
A means first revision of this variant; usually indicative of production epoch.

To avoid confusion, because Evinrude had previously used the letters C, D, E, I, N, O, R, S, T, and U to encode model years, they avoid using those letters to encode their new Model Identification field. This results in the sequence of model versions being AA, AB, AF, AG, AH, and so on.

2018-2020

Around 2018, Evinrude added additional elements to the model code, as shown in the chart below:

Note the inclusion of an "H" prefix (FAMILY IDENTIFICATION) for certain G2 models with production code suffix AGH or newer, as specified in the note for the triple asterisk at the chart bottom.

2020

In c.2020, Evinrude updated the model codes further, to include the in-line three-cylinder G2 E-TEC models, and published this G2-ONLY chart:

Still having trouble determining the year your engine was manufactured? Please send an email to customerservice@marinepartswarehouse.com, and we will be happy to assist you.

Posted by Blanche Devereaux

Brian Whiteside

Brian Whiteside is the driving force behind Marine Parts Warehouse, a trusted name in used outboard and sterndrive parts for over 50 years. As part of a family-operated business, Brian is committed to ensuring customer satisfaction by providing high-quality parts and exceptional service. Based in Scottsville, Kentucky, Brian works tirelessly to ensure every customer finds exactly what they need — a powerhead, gearcase, or hard-to-find component.
When he is not managing the company’s 28,000-square-foot facility stocked with thousands of parts and motors, Brian enjoys connecting with customers to share tips, advice, and a genuine love for all things marine.