Financial Services (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2011		Oct. 02, 2010	Oct. 01, 2011		Oct. 02, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010
Financial Services [Abstract]
Percentage of ownership held by the entity's subsidiary in a joint venture (in hundredths)	49.00%			49.00%
Percentage of ownership held by third party in joint venture (in hundredths)	51.00%			51.00%
Amount of minimum used borrowing capacity under revolving credit facility	$ 37,500,000			$ 37,500,000
Amount of secured borrowing facility funded for joint venture				1,000,000,000
Total investment in joint venture	10,500,000			10,500,000			10,300,000
Amount of recorded income (loss) from joint venture investment	1,100,000		(100,000)	3,100,000		2,000,000
Maximum loss exposure relating to joint venture [Abstract]
Investment	10,500,000			10,500,000			10,300,000
Repurchase and recourse obligations	72,300,000	[1]		72,300,000	[1]		72,300,000	[1]
Liabilities	(1,400,000)	[2]		(1,400,000)	[2]		(1,300,000)	[2]
Total maximum loss exposure	$ 81,400,000			$ 81,400,000			$ 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 7 - 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 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.