Segment Data (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Oct. 01, 2011	Oct. 02, 2010	Oct. 01, 2011	Oct. 02, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010
Segment Data [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments	4		4
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales	$ 876.7	$ 815.4	$ 2,958.9	$ 2,674.5
Operating Earnings (Loss)	35.6	25.2	210.5	91.0
Total Assets	2,577.8	2,731.7	2,577.8	2,731.7	2,678.0
Marine Engine [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales	467.2	429.2	1,606.2	1,454.1
Operating Earnings (Loss)	44.5	49.0	191.6	164.7
Total Assets	721.9		721.9		675.3
Boat [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales	209.2	209.2	819.5	749.4
Operating Earnings (Loss)	(17.9)	(26.3)	(12.3)	(76.6)
Total Assets	356.7		356.7		394.6
Marine eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales	(36.4)	(35.3)	(166.3)	(152.7)
Operating Earnings (Loss)	0	0	0	0
Total Marine [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales	640.0	603.1	2,259.4	2,050.8
Operating Earnings (Loss)	26.6	22.7	179.3	88.1
Total Assets	1,078.6		1,078.6		1,069.9
Fitness [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales	157.2	137.7	455.2	379.9
Operating Earnings (Loss)	22.6	17.0	65.1	35.2
Total Assets	543.5		543.5		559.4
Bowling & Billiards [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales	79.5	74.6	244.3	243.8
Operating Earnings (Loss)	1.8	0	16.5	12.3
Total Assets	266.1		266.1		260.4
Corporate/Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales	0	0	0	0
Operating Earnings (Loss)	(15.4)	(14.5)	(50.4)	(44.6)
Total Assets	$ 689.6		$ 689.6		$ 788.3

Number of reportable segments.

Name:	bc_NumberOfSegments
Namespace Prefix:	bc
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are recognized. Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Article 7

-Section 03

-Paragraph 12

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

-Section S99

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Publisher FASB

-Paragraph 1

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Concepts (CON)

-Number 6

-Paragraph 25

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 18

-Article 5

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.18)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_Assets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The net result for the period of deducting operating expenses from operating revenues.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Total revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Article 5

-Section 03

-Paragraph 1

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_SegmentReportingAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration