Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Financial Services (Details)

v2.4.0.6
Financial Services (Details) (USD $)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
Dec. 31, 2009
Financial Services [Abstract]      
Percentage of ownership held by the entity's subsidiary in a joint venture (in hundredths) 49.00%    
Percentage of ownership held by third party in joint venture (in hundredths) 51.00%    
Amount of minimum used borrowing capacity under revolving credit facility debt $ 37,500,000    
Amount of secured borrowing facility funded for joint venture 1,000,000,000    
Total investment of subsidiary in joint venture 10,600,000 10,300,000  
Amount of recorded income (loss) from joint venture investment 4,600,000 2,700,000 3,100,000
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]      
Repurchase of accounts receivable from joint venture 0 0 84,200,000
Accounts receivable sold to joint venture     186,400,000
Discounts     1,300,000
Reimbursement to asset-based lending facility for related credit, collection and administrative costs incurred in connection with servicing of receivables     1,100,000
Brunswick Acceptance Company LLC [Member]
      
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]      
Investment 10,600,000 10,300,000  
Repurchase and recourse obligations 72,300,000 [1] 72,300,000 [1]  
Liabilities (1,300,000) [2] (1,300,000) [2]  
Total maximum loss exposure $ 81,600,000 $ 81,300,000  
[1] Repurchase and recourse obligations are off-balance sheet obligations provided by the Company for the Boat and Marine Engine segments, respectively, and are included within the Maximum Potential Obligations disclosed in Note 11 - Commitments and Contingencies. Repurchase and recourse obligations are mainly related to a global repurchase agreement with GECDF and could be reduced by repurchase activity occurring under other similar agreements with GECDF and affiliates. The Company's risk under these repurchase arrangements is partially mitigated by the value of the products repurchased as part of the transaction. Amounts above exclude any potential recoveries from the resale value of the repurchased product.
[2] Represents accrued amounts for potential losses related to recourse exposure and the Company's expected losses on obligations to repurchase products, after giving effect to proceeds anticipated to be received from the resale of these products to alternative dealers.