How to read a Johnson or Evinrude model number (1980 on)
The model number on the plate is a string of codes: J for Johnson or E for Evinrude, the horsepower, letters for features and shaft length, then two letters for the model year, and usually one last letter for the model run [1][2]. The year letters spell digits with the word INTRODUCES:
| Letter | I | N | T | R | O | D | U | C | E | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digit | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 |
J 10 E L EN A → Johnson, 10 HP, E = electric start, L = 20″ shaft, EN = 9 2 → 1992, A = model run
Small motors from the 1980s and 90s often have no model-run letter, so the year code is the last two letters:4BRCS is 1980 (CS = 8 0) [1]. When a number could be read either way, the decoder shows both years.
Every year code
| Decade | …0 | …1 | …2 | …3 | …4 | …5 | …6 | …7 | …8 | …9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | CS | CI | CN | CT | CR | CO | CD | CU | CC | CE |
| 1990s | ES | EI | EN | ET | ER | EO | ED | EU | EC | EE |
| 2000s | SS | SI | SN | ST | SR | SO | SD | SU | SC | SE |
| 2010s | IS | II | IN |
BRP’s key is headed “Model Years 2002 and Up” [1], and continuousWave says model-year codes were dropped around 2012 [4]. We found no independent list of the 2007–2012 codes, so those results are labelled “per BRP”.
Johnson 1969–1979: the year is in the digits
From 1969 Johnson put the last two digits of the year after the horsepower and letters: 6R69 is a 1969 6 HP and 115ESL73 a 1973 115 HP [3][1]. All 324 Johnson model numbers of this kind in BRP’s guide follow the rule.
Worked examples
| Serial | Style | How it reads | Made | Example from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
VE70TLEDA | Year code + model-run letter (1980–2006) | ED = year code (1996)BRP’s own worked example (ED = 1996). | 1996 | BRP |
E70PL4EEA | Year code + model-run letter (1980–2006) | EE = year code (1999)BRP’s 1999–2001 example (EE = 1999). | 1999 | BRP |
BE175FCX4SOA | Year code + model-run letter (1980–2006) | SO = year code (2005)BRP’s 2002-and-up example (SO = 2005). | 2005 | BRP |
J8RSSB | Year code + model-run letter (1980–2006) | SS = year code (2000) | 2000 | BRP |
E90DPLSRC | Year code + model-run letter (1980–2006) | SR = year code (2004) | 2004 | BRP |
AJ15ELECF | Year code + model-run letter (1980–2006) | EC = year code (1998) | 1998 | Leeroy’s Ramblings |
J10ELENA | Year code + model-run letter (1980–2006) | EN = year code (1992) | 1992 | Leeroy’s Ramblings |
4BRCS | Year code at the end (small motors, 1980–1999) | CS = year code (1980) | 1980 | BRP |
10ELEN | Year code at the end (small motors, 1980–1999) | EN = year code (1992) | 1992 | BRP |
15ELEC | Year code at the end (small motors, 1980–1999) | EC = year code (1998) | 1998 | BRP |
E115DPXSCA | Year code, 2007–2012 (per BRP’s key) | SC = year code (2008)Constructed to show the rule: SC = 0, 8 = 2008. | 2008 | Constructed to show the rule |
6R69 | Johnson two-digit year (1969–1979) | 69 = year ’69 | 1969 | Leeroy’s Ramblings |
55ESL69 | Johnson two-digit year (1969–1979) | 69 = year ’69 | 1969 | BRP |
6RL71 | Johnson two-digit year (1969–1979) | 71 = year ’71 | 1971 | BRP |
115ESL73 | Johnson two-digit year (1969–1979) | 73 = year ’73 | 1973 | BRP |
Where to find the model number
On the plate on the clamp (transom) bracket. Copy the model line, not the serial number: the serial doesn’t carry the year.
What this page doesn’t decode
- Evinrude model numbers before 1980 (e.g. 6602, 25302): They hold one digit of the year, so the decade is ambiguous; look the model up in BRP’s guide.
- Johnson models before 1969: Model numbers are series codes (e.g. CD-14); BRP’s guide lists them by year.
- 1979 “UE” code: Only one source (Leeroy’s Ramblings) lists it.
- E-TEC models from about 2012 (AA, AB, AF… codes) and G2 models: Those letters are production-run codes, not years (continuousWave).
Common questions
How do I tell the year of my Evinrude?
Find the two year letters in the model number (usually the 2nd and 3rd from the end) and convert them with INTRODUCES: I = 1, N = 2, T = 3, R = 4, O = 5, D = 6, U = 7, C = 8, E = 9, S = 0. For example ED = 96 = 1996.
Does the same code work for Johnson and Evinrude?
Yes. Both were made by OMC and use the same model-number system from 1980 [1].
My Evinrude E-TEC model ends in letters like AA or AB. What year is it?
From about 2012 those letters mark production runs, not years [4], so the model number can’t date it. A dealer can look up the serial.
Not affiliated with BRP, Evinrude or Johnson. The brand names are used only to say which model numbers this decoder reads.
Sources
- BRP (owner of the Evinrude and Johnson outboard brands): Model number designation and model listings, Johnson and Evinrude outboards 1913–2005 (operator’s guide library, document 8323)Used for: Year code + model-run letter (1980–2006); Year code at the end (small motors, 1980–1999); Year code, 2007–2012 (per BRP’s key); Johnson two-digit year (1969–1979).
- Leeroy’s Ramblings: Johnson & Evinrude 1979–2007 outboard motor model code explanation (updated 2021-02-22)Used for: Year code + model-run letter (1980–2006); Year code at the end (small motors, 1980–1999).
- Leeroy’s Ramblings: OMC 6 hp: model numbers by yearUsed for: Year code + model-run letter (1980–2006); Johnson two-digit year (1969–1979).
- continuousWave: Evinrude-Johnson Model Codes (James W. Hebert, 2020)Used for: Year code, 2007–2012 (per BRP’s key).