Brand Comparison
Force vs Honda Outboards
A straight, factual side-by-side — both are excellent builders that simply shine in different places. Here is how they line up and who each one suits.
| Force Outboards (US Marine / Brunswick / Mercury) | Honda Marine | |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1984 (from Chrysler Marine's outboard division) | 1964 |
| Headquarters | Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, USA (via Mercury Marine) | Tokyo, Japan (U.S. marine: Alpharetta, Georgia) |
| Ownership | Brunswick Corporation → Mercury Marine | Honda Motor Co., Ltd. |
| Stock / Ticker | Parent: Brunswick Corp (NYSE: BC) | NYSE: HMC — parent Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (also TYO: 7267) |
| Annual Revenue | Not separately disclosed (brand discontinued 1999) | ≈ $137 billion (FY, Honda Motor Co., Ltd. — whole company) |
| Employees | Supported by Mercury Marine | ≈ 195,000 worldwide (entire Honda Motor Co.), not marine-specific |
| Manufacturing | Historic: Hartford then Fond du Lac, Wisconsin | Global Honda manufacturing footprint |
| HP Range | Legacy range (supported by Mercury today) | 2.3 – 350 hp |
| Fuel / Power | 2-stroke gasoline (legacy) | 4-stroke gasoline only |
| Product Lines | 1 families | 4 families |
| Signature Tech |
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| Famous For | Being the affordable outboard on entry-level package boats. Force is remembered as a divisive budget two-stroke — simple and cheap, later badged “Force by Mercury Marine.” | Being the four-stroke pioneer. Honda never sold a two-stroke outboard, and the brand is known for quiet, clean, dependable engines — plus the headline-grabbing BF350, Honda's first production V8. |
| Best For | Owners and used-motor buyers of legacy Force outboards looking for a simple, low-cost two-stroke. | Buyers who want proven four-stroke reliability, clean running, and fuel economy over top-end speed. |
Revenue and workforce figures are point-in-time snapshots from company filings for the year shown (in several cases the parent company, not just the marine division). Stock price, market value, and ROI change daily — use the ticker for live pricing.
Where Each Brand Dominates
Force on the water
Value & Package Boats
Sold heavily in pre-rigged Bayliner/Maxum/Glastron boat-motor-trailer packages.
Simple Mechanics
Straightforward two-stroke design that home mechanics could service.
Legacy Support
Some parts and service remain available through Mercury.
Honda on the water
Reliability-First Cruising
A default choice for boaters who value long-term dependability and low emissions over top speed.
Fuel-Economy Repowers
Lean Burn Control and four-stroke efficiency make Honda a strong repower option for economy-minded owners.
Pontoon & Family Boats
Quiet, smooth running suits pontoons and family day-boats where refinement matters.
Which one fits you?
Choose Force if…
- ✓Simple, mechanically straightforward two-strokes
- ✓Later models share some Mercury components
- ✓Affordable used-market motors
Choose Honda if…
- ✓Four-stroke expertise dating to 1964 — no two-stroke legacy to carry
- ✓Automotive-derived tech (VTEC, PGM-FI, Lean Burn) for economy and refinement
- ✓Strong reputation for reliability, low emissions, and quiet running
Browse & Official Links
Force Outboards
External links open in a new window.
The Honest Take
Both Force Outboards (US Marine / Brunswick / Mercury) and Honda Marine are top-tier outboard builders — you can buy either with confidence. Force leans toward owners and used-motor buyers of legacy force outboards looking for a simple, low-cost two-stroke, while Honda leans toward buyers who want proven four-stroke reliability, clean running, and fuel economy over top-end speed. For most buyers the deciding factors are which dealer and service network is strongest in your area, and which brand your local mechanics know best. Whichever you choose, you can browse listings for both on OutboardListings.com.
FAQ
Is Force or Honda the better outboard?
Neither is universally "better" — they lead in different areas. Force is best for owners and used-motor buyers of legacy force outboards looking for a simple, low-cost two-stroke. Honda is best for buyers who want proven four-stroke reliability, clean running, and fuel economy over top-end speed. The right choice depends on how you boat and what dealer support is near you.
What is the HP range of Force vs Honda?
Force Outboards (US Marine / Brunswick / Mercury) offers Legacy range (supported by Mercury today), while Honda Marine offers 2.3 – 350 hp.
Who owns Force and Honda?
Force Outboards (US Marine / Brunswick / Mercury): Brunswick Corporation → Mercury Marine. Honda Marine: Honda Motor Co., Ltd..