Brand Comparison
Johnson vs Mariner 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.
| Johnson Outboards | Mariner Outboards (Brunswick / Mercury Marine) | |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1922 | 1970s (Australia early 1970s; U.S. 1976) |
| Headquarters | Waukegan, Illinois (former, via OMC) | Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, USA (via Mercury Marine) |
| Ownership | BRP Inc. — brand discontinued after 2007 | Brunswick Corporation → Mercury Marine |
| Stock / Ticker | TSX/Nasdaq: DOO — parent BRP Inc. (Johnson discontinued after 2007) | Parent: Brunswick Corp (NYSE: BC) |
| Annual Revenue | ≈ $9.0 billion (TTM, BRP Inc. — whole company) | Not separately disclosed (brand folded into Mercury Marine) |
| Employees | ≈ 17,000 worldwide (BRP Inc., entire company) | Supported by Mercury Marine |
| Manufacturing | Johnson-brand outboard production has ended | Serviced via Mercury Marine |
| HP Range | (historic) portable through high-hp — brand discontinued | Legacy range (supported by Mercury today) |
| Fuel / Power | 2-stroke (historic) and later 4-stroke | 2-stroke & 4-stroke gasoline (legacy) |
| Product Lines | 3 families | 1 families |
| Signature Tech |
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| Famous For | 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. | Being “badge-engineered Mercury.” Mariner is best known as Brunswick's companion brand — Mercury reliability under a different name, still serviceable at Mercury dealers. |
| Best For | Owners of existing Johnson motors and buyers researching used outboards and brand history. | Owners and used-motor buyers of legacy Mariner outboards who want Mercury-network parts and service. |
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
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.
Mariner on the water
Legacy Support
Mercury Marine still supplies parts and service for many Mariner motors.
Value & Used Market
A budget-friendly used option sharing Mercury components.
Small & Rental Boats
Originally aimed at recreational, rental-fleet and smaller-boat owners.
Which one fits you?
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
Choose Mariner if…
- ✓Mercury parts and service compatibility for legacy motors
- ✓Simple, proven designs shared with Mercury
- ✓Strong used-market availability
Browse & Official Links
External links open in a new window.
The Honest Take
Both Johnson Outboards and Mariner Outboards (Brunswick / Mercury Marine) are top-tier outboard builders — you can buy either with confidence. Johnson leans toward owners of existing johnson motors and buyers researching used outboards and brand history, while Mariner leans toward owners and used-motor buyers of legacy mariner outboards who want mercury-network parts and service. 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 Johnson or Mariner the better outboard?
Neither is universally "better" — they lead in different areas. Johnson is best for owners of existing johnson motors and buyers researching used outboards and brand history. Mariner is best for owners and used-motor buyers of legacy mariner outboards who want mercury-network parts and service. The right choice depends on how you boat and what dealer support is near you.
What is the HP range of Johnson vs Mariner?
Johnson Outboards offers (historic) portable through high-hp — brand discontinued, while Mariner Outboards (Brunswick / Mercury Marine) offers Legacy range (supported by Mercury today).
Who owns Johnson and Mariner?
Johnson Outboards: BRP Inc. — brand discontinued after 2007. Mariner Outboards (Brunswick / Mercury Marine): Brunswick Corporation → Mercury Marine.