History of Evinrude Outboard Motors Part 4

Bessie Evinrude never fully got over her ailments. She retired from the business in 1928 and died in 1933 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The following year, 1934, Ole Evinrude died. The couple’s son, Ralph, took over the company, which merged with Johnson Motor Company in 1936. The new merger created the Outboard Marine Corporation.

The company produced marine motors for the military during World War II. Throughout the 1930s and 40s the company produced engines for midgets racers, a type of small but speedy race cars. These engines were typically water-cooled engines that ran on special racing fuel. The name lives on through many outboard motor designs, and also through the Ole Evinrude Award that is given annually at the New York Boat Show. If you’ve been inspired by Ole Evinrude’s story, then make sure to stock up on Yamalube 2W oil to keep your outboard motor running properly.