How to Identify an Old Evinrude 65 HP Outboard

The Evinrude company, founded by Ole Evinrude, built its first boat motor in 1909. Currently owned by Bombardier, the company is still producing boat engines today. Evinrude assigns model and serial numbers to all of its engines and has done so since day one. These are affixed to the engine housing by means of a metallic label (tag). Locating this tag will enable you to determine if the motor is an Evinrude or not.

• 1

  Look at the outside of the clamp bracket (which mounts the motor to the boat) for a metallic label with numbers, letters and the name "Evinrude" stamped on it. This nameplate tag identifies the genuineness of an Evinrude and provides the model and serial number of the motor. If the tag is not there, it might be somewhere else on the motor.

• 2

  Look for the tag at the swivel bracket housing on either side if it was not on the clamp bracket. If the nameplate is not there, it has probably worn off.

• 3

  Look at the top of the power head of the engine (if the tag is still not found), for a small silver plug with numbers engraved on it. This is the serial number of the engine. Write down the number and call an Evinrude dealer to verify that this is a valid serial for an Evinrude engine. From that, the dealer can determine how old the engine is.

• 4

  Look at the tag, if you found one. If the serial number contains a letter, than the engine was manufactured before 1979. The second and third letters from the end of the serial number are coded to reveal the year as follows: "I"=1, "N"=2, "T"=3, "R"=4, "O"=5, "D"=6, "U"=7, "C"=8, "E"=9 and "S"=0. For example, CO translates to 1985.

  Evinrude made 65HP motors only in the years 1968, 1972 and 1973. If the motor is a 65HP Evinrude, the model number will be one of the following: 65832, 65833, 65852 or 65853 for the year 1968. In 1972 the model numbers were 65272 and 65273. In 1973, they were 65372 and 65373.