Answer
Aug 23, 2025 - 04:04 PM
If you’re trying to figure out the year of your Johnson or Evinrude 60HP outboard, the best place to start is the model number — not just the serial.
Look around the mounting bracket, usually on the side where it clamps to the boat. There should be a metal plate or sticker that has the model and serial. Now for the model number — Johnson and Evinrude used a code in the last couple letters to tell the year. Like if it ends in CD, you’d use this little trick:
I = 1
N = 2
T = 3
R = 4
O = 5
D = 6
U = 7
C = 8
E = 9
S = 0
So CD = 8 and 6 → means it’s a 1986.
If that tag’s missing or all scratched up, you might be able to find stamped numbers on the engine block somewhere, or even the welch plug. Worst case, you'd have to match parts manually — carbs, ignition stuff, that sorta thing — to narrow it down.
Alternatively, feel free to send us your model number and serial, and we'll be happy to decode it for you, too.
