See full version: Who Makes Force Outboards
Force Outboard was the unwanted stepchild of the outboard industry. Originally made by Chrysler, it was sold and resold until it finally disappeared. In the meantime, market pressure from outboard makers such as Yamaha and OMC -- maker of Johnson and Evinrude outboards -- cut into Force Outboard's market share. When environmental issues concerning cleaner outboard engines arose, Force Outboard was withdrawn from the market by its last owner, Mercury Marine. more
Chrysler sold the engine to be known as Force as a Chrysler-branded outboard. The Force name appeared when U.S. Marine, makers of Bayliner boats, purchased the Chrysler outboard plant in 1984. Chrysler continued to make engines under the Chrysler marque, however. U.S. Marine owned the Force brand until 1988, when Mercury Marine acquired it. Mercury Marine dropped Force Outboard in 1996.
Will Charpentier is a writer who specializes in boating and maritime subjects. A retired ship captain, Charpentier holds a doctorate in applied ocean science and engineering. He is also a certified marine technician and the author of a popular text on writing local history. [links]
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Sorry<br />I just thought someone might know here.<br /><br />M [links]
I believe they started showing up with the Mercury styled serial numbers in 1990.<br /><br />Improvements and changes were fazed in over the next 5 years.
Re: What yr did Mercury buy Force?
Re: What yr did Mercury buy Force?
I believe Bayliner bought Chrysler in '84 and called them "Force". Brunswick bought Bayliner in '88 and got Force and the jet pump. The Force engines got "Mercurytized" each year until they were all Merc, called Mercury.<br />Backfire more
Re: What yr did Mercury buy Force? more
The new Mercury engine brand was named “Mariner” to invoke a reliable, durable outboard that would appeal to a different customer than the fast, high-performance image of the Mercury brand.
A new design and liquid-cooled engine for 1976 powered Sno-Twister drivers to wins in every stock, junior and women’s class, and all but one Mod Stock class, while Stan Hayes qualified for the World Championship final. But it wasn’t enough. [links]
Rival engine builder Outboard Marine Corporation (OMC) sold two outboard brands, Johnson and Evinrude. While Mercury enjoyed equal market share in the category, it was thought that a second outboard line could boost Mercury Marine’s distribution, both in the U.S. and internationally.
Force Outboard was the unwanted stepchild of the outboard industry. Originally made by Chrysler, it was sold and resold until it finally disappeared. In the meantime, market pressure from outboard makers such as Yamaha and OMC -- maker of Johnson and Evinrude outboards -- cut into Force Outboard's market share. When environmental issues concerning cleaner outboard engines arose, Force Outboard was withdrawn from the market by its last owner, Mercury Marine.
Chrysler sold the engine to be known as Force as a Chrysler-branded outboard. The Force name appeared when U.S. Marine, makers of Bayliner boats, purchased the Chrysler outboard plant in 1984. Chrysler continued to make engines under the Chrysler marque, however. U.S. Marine owned the Force brand until 1988, when Mercury Marine acquired it. Mercury Marine dropped Force Outboard in 1996. [links]
Will Charpentier is a writer who specializes in boating and maritime subjects. A retired ship captain, Charpentier holds a doctorate in applied ocean science and engineering. He is also a certified marine technician and the author of a popular text on writing local history.