Brand Comparison
Force vs Johnson 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) | Johnson Outboards | |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1984 (from Chrysler Marine's outboard division) | 1922 |
| Headquarters | Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, USA (via Mercury Marine) | Waukegan, Illinois (former, via OMC) |
| Ownership | Brunswick Corporation → Mercury Marine | BRP Inc. — brand discontinued after 2007 |
| Stock / Ticker | Parent: Brunswick Corp (NYSE: BC) | TSX/Nasdaq: DOO — parent BRP Inc. (Johnson discontinued after 2007) |
| Annual Revenue | Not separately disclosed (brand discontinued 1999) | ≈ $9.0 billion (TTM, BRP Inc. — whole company) |
| Employees | Supported by Mercury Marine | ≈ 17,000 worldwide (BRP Inc., entire company) |
| Manufacturing | Historic: Hartford then Fond du Lac, Wisconsin | Johnson-brand outboard production has ended |
| HP Range | Legacy range (supported by Mercury today) | (historic) portable through high-hp — brand discontinued |
| Fuel / Power | 2-stroke gasoline (legacy) | 2-stroke (historic) and later 4-stroke |
| Product Lines | 1 families | 3 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 one of the two names (with Evinrude) that defined American outboarding for most of the 20th century — lightweight aluminum motors and early racing. Discontinued by BRP after 2007. |
| Best For | Owners and used-motor buyers of legacy Force outboards looking for a simple, low-cost two-stroke. | Owners of existing Johnson motors and buyers researching used outboards and brand history. |
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.
Johnson on the water
Historic / Collector Interest
A founding American outboard brand with strong collector and restoration interest.
Used-Motor Market
A very large installed base keeps Johnson common and serviceable in the used market.
Vintage Racing Heritage
Known for 1920s outboard racing success in its early years.
Which one fits you?
Choose Force if…
- ✓Simple, mechanically straightforward two-strokes
- ✓Later models share some Mercury components
- ✓Affordable used-market motors
Choose Johnson if…
- ✓Founding-era American outboard heritage with 1920s racing wins
- ✓Enormous installed base and parts availability in the used market
- ✓BRP continues parts and warranty support for existing owners
Browse & Official Links
Force Outboards
External links open in a new window.
The Honest Take
Both Force Outboards (US Marine / Brunswick / Mercury) and Johnson Outboards 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 Johnson leans toward owners of existing johnson motors and buyers researching used outboards and brand history. 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 Johnson 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. Johnson is best for owners of existing johnson motors and buyers researching used outboards and brand history. The right choice depends on how you boat and what dealer support is near you.
What is the HP range of Force vs Johnson?
Force Outboards (US Marine / Brunswick / Mercury) offers Legacy range (supported by Mercury today), while Johnson Outboards offers (historic) portable through high-hp — brand discontinued.
Who owns Force and Johnson?
Force Outboards (US Marine / Brunswick / Mercury): Brunswick Corporation → Mercury Marine. Johnson Outboards: BRP Inc. — brand discontinued after 2007.