<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.8.0.1</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>473</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>630</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>true</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>120</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>4</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0001000 - Document - Document And Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document And Entity Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Operations</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfOperations</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Operations</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1002000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003000 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003501 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1004000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1005000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfShareholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1005001 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfShareholdersEquityParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2101100 - Disclosure - Significant Accounting Policies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/SignificantAccountingPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Significant Accounting Policies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2102100 - Disclosure - Discontinued Operations</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/DiscontinuedOperations</Role>
      <ShortName>Discontinued Operations</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2103100 - Disclosure - Restructuring, Exit, Impairment and Integration Activities</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/RestructuringExitImpairmentAndIntegrationActivities</Role>
      <ShortName>Restructuring, Exit, Impairment and Integration Activities</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2104100 - Disclosure - Acquisitions</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/Acquisitions</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2105100 - Disclosure - Earnings per Common Share</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/EarningsPerCommonShare</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings per Common Share</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2106100 - Disclosure - Segment Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/SegmentInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2107100 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/FairValueMeasurements</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2108100 - Disclosure - Financing Receivables</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/FinancingReceivables</Role>
      <ShortName>Financing Receivables</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2109100 - Disclosure - Investments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/Investments</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2110100 - Disclosure - Financial Services</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/FinancialServices</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Services</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2111100 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangibles</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/GoodwillAndOtherIntangibles</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Other Intangibles</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2112100 - Disclosure - Income Taxes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/IncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2113100 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2114100 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/FinancialInstruments</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Instruments</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2115100 - Disclosure - Accrued Expenses</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/AccruedExpenses</Role>
      <ShortName>Accrued Expenses</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2116100 - Disclosure - Debt</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/Debt</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2117100 - Disclosure - Postretirement Benefits</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/PostretirementBenefits</Role>
      <ShortName>Postretirement Benefits</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2118100 - Disclosure - Stock Plans and Management Compensation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/StockPlansAndManagementCompensation</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock Plans and Management Compensation</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2119100 - Disclosure - Comprehensive Income</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/ComprehensiveIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>Comprehensive Income</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2120100 - Disclosure - Treasury and Preferred Stock</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/TreasuryAndPreferredStock</Role>
      <ShortName>Treasury and Preferred Stock</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2121100 - Disclosure - Leases</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/Leases</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2122100 - Disclosure - Quarterly Data (unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/QuarterlyDataUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>Quarterly Data (unaudited)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2123100 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/SubsequentEvents</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent Events</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2124100 - Schedule - Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/ScheduleIiValuationAndQualifyingAccounts</Role>
      <ShortName>Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2201201 - Disclosure - Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/SignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2301302 - Disclosure - Significant Accounting Policies Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/SignificantAccountingPoliciesSignificantAccountingPoliciesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Significant Accounting Policies Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2302301 - Disclosure - Discontinued Operations (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/DiscontinuedOperationsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Discontinued Operations (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2303301 - Disclosure - Restructuring, Exit, Impairment and Integration Activities (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/RestructuringExitImpairmentAndIntegrationActivitiesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Restructuring, Exit, Impairment and Integration Activities (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2304301 - Disclosure - Acquisitions Schedule of assets acquired, liabilities assumed and cash consideration paid (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/AcquisitionsScheduleOfAssetsAcquiredLiabilitiesAssumedAndCashConsiderationPaidTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions Schedule of assets acquired, liabilities assumed and cash consideration paid (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2305301 - Disclosure - Earnings per Common Share (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/EarningsPerCommonShareTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings per Common Share (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2306301 - Disclosure - Segment Information (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/SegmentInformationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2307301 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2308301 - Disclosure - Financing Receivables (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/FinancingReceivablesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Financing Receivables (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2309301 - Disclosure - Investments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/InvestmentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2310301 - Disclosure - Financial Services (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/FinancialServicesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Services (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>43</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2311301 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangibles (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/GoodwillAndOtherIntangiblesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Other Intangibles (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>44</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2312301 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/IncomeTaxesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>45</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2313301 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>46</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2314301 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Instruments (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>47</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2315301 - Disclosure - Accrued Expenses Accrued Expenses (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/AccruedExpensesAccruedExpensesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Accrued Expenses Accrued Expenses (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>48</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2316301 - Disclosure - Debt (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/DebtTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>49</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2317301 - Disclosure - Postretirement Benefits (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/PostretirementBenefitsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Postretirement Benefits (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>50</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2318301 - Disclosure - Stock Plans and Management Compensation (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/StockPlansAndManagementCompensationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock Plans and Management Compensation (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>51</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2319301 - Disclosure - Comprehensive Income (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/ComprehensiveIncomeTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Comprehensive Income (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>52</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2320301 - Disclosure - Treasury and Preferred Stock (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/TreasuryAndPreferredStockTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Treasury and Preferred Stock (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>53</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2321301 - Disclosure - Leases (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/LeasesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>54</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2322301 - Disclosure - Quarterly Data (unaudited) (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/QuarterlyDataUnauditedTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Quarterly Data (unaudited) (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>55</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401403 - Disclosure - Significant Accounting Policies (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/SignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Significant Accounting Policies (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>56</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402402 - Disclosure - Discontinued Operations (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/DiscontinuedOperationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Discontinued Operations (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>57</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403402 - Disclosure - Restructuring, Exit, Impairment and Integration Activities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/RestructuringExitImpairmentAndIntegrationActivitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Restructuring, Exit, Impairment and Integration Activities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>58</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404402 - Disclosure - Acquisitions (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/AcquisitionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>59</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R60.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405402 - Disclosure - Earnings per Common Share (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/EarningsPerCommonShareDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings per Common Share (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>60</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R61.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406402 - Disclosure - Segment Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/SegmentInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>61</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R62.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407402 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>62</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R63.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408402 - Disclosure - Financing Receivables (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/FinancingReceivablesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Financing Receivables (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>63</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R64.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409402 - Disclosure - Investments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/InvestmentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>64</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R65.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410402 - Disclosure - Financial Services (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/FinancialServicesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Services (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>65</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R66.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2411402 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangibles (Details 1)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/GoodwillAndOtherIntangiblesDetails1</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Other Intangibles (Details 1)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>66</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R67.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2411403 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangibles (Details 2)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/GoodwillAndOtherIntangiblesDetails2</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Other Intangibles (Details 2)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>67</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R68.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412402 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/IncomeTaxesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>68</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R69.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412403 - Disclosure - Income Taxes, Valuation Allowances and NOL Carryforwards (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/IncomeTaxesValuationAllowancesAndNolCarryforwardsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes, Valuation Allowances and NOL Carryforwards (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>69</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R70.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412404 - Disclosure - Income Taxes, Tax Credits and Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/IncomeTaxesTaxCreditsAndUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes, Tax Credits and Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>70</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R71.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412405 - Disclosure - Income Taxes, Income Tax Reconciliation and Allocation of Income Tax Provision (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/IncomeTaxesIncomeTaxReconciliationAndAllocationOfIncomeTaxProvisionDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes, Income Tax Reconciliation and Allocation of Income Tax Provision (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>71</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R72.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413402 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>72</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R73.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414402 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments Financial Instruments, Schedule of Cash Flow Hedges Included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsFinancialInstrumentsScheduleOfCashFlowHedgesIncludedInAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Instruments Financial Instruments, Schedule of Cash Flow Hedges Included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>73</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R74.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414403 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Instruments (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>74</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R75.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414404 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments, Fair Values of Derivative Instruments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsFairValuesOfDerivativeInstrumentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Instruments, Fair Values of Derivative Instruments (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>75</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R76.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414405 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments, Consolidated Statements of Operations, Effect of Derivative Instruments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsConsolidatedStatementsOfOperationsEffectOfDerivativeInstrumentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Instruments, Consolidated Statements of Operations, Effect of Derivative Instruments (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>76</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R77.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414406 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments, Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsFairValueOfOtherFinancialInstrumentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Instruments, Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>77</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R78.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2415402 - Disclosure - Accrued Expenses Accrued Expenses (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/AccruedExpensesAccruedExpensesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Accrued Expenses Accrued Expenses (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>78</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R79.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416402 - Disclosure - Debt (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/DebtDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>79</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R80.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2417402 - Disclosure - Postretirement Benefits (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/PostretirementBenefitsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Postretirement Benefits (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>80</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R81.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2417403 - Disclosure - Postretirement Benefits Schedule of Net Periodic Benefit Costs (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/PostretirementBenefitsScheduleOfNetPeriodicBenefitCostsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Postretirement Benefits Schedule of Net Periodic Benefit Costs (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>81</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R82.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2417404 - Disclosure - Postretirement Benefits Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets and Funded Status (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/PostretirementBenefitsBenefitObligationsPlanAssetsAndFundedStatusDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Postretirement Benefits Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets and Funded Status (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>82</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R83.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2417405 - Disclosure - Postretirement Benefits Pretax Activity in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/PostretirementBenefitsPretaxActivityInAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Postretirement Benefits Pretax Activity in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>83</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R84.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2417406 - Disclosure - Postretirement Benefits Postretirement Benefits - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/PostretirementBenefitsPostretirementBenefitsAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Postretirement Benefits Postretirement Benefits - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>84</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R85.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2417407 - Disclosure - Postretirement Benefits Fair Values of Trust's Pension Assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/PostretirementBenefitsFairValuesOfTrustsPensionAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Postretirement Benefits Fair Values of Trust's Pension Assets (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>85</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R86.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2417408 - Disclosure - Postretirement Benefits Contributions, Benefit Payments and Other (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/PostretirementBenefitsContributionsBenefitPaymentsAndOtherDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Postretirement Benefits Contributions, Benefit Payments and Other (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>86</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R87.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2418402 - Disclosure - Stock Plans and Management Compensation (Details 1)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/StockPlansAndManagementCompensationDetails1</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock Plans and Management Compensation (Details 1)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>87</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R88.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2418403 - Disclosure - Stock Plans and Management Compensation (Details 2)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/StockPlansAndManagementCompensationDetails2</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock Plans and Management Compensation (Details 2)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>88</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R89.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2418404 - Disclosure - Stock Plans and Management Compensation (Details 3)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/StockPlansAndManagementCompensationDetails3</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock Plans and Management Compensation (Details 3)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>89</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R90.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2419402 - Disclosure - Comprehensive Income (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/ComprehensiveIncomeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Comprehensive Income (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>90</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R91.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2420402 - Disclosure - Treasury and Preferred Stock (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/TreasuryAndPreferredStockDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Treasury and Preferred Stock (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>91</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R92.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2421402 - Disclosure - Leases (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/LeasesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>92</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R93.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2422402 - Disclosure - Quarterly Data (unaudited) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/QuarterlyDataUnauditedDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Quarterly Data (unaudited) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>93</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R94.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2423401 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/SubsequentEventsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent Events (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>94</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bc-20171231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R95.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2424401 - Schedule - Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brunswick.com/role/ScheduleIiValuationAndQualifyingAccountsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>95</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>bc-20171231.xml</File>
    <File>bc-20171231.xsd</File>
    <File>bc-20171231_cal.xml</File>
    <File>bc-20171231_def.xml</File>
    <File>bc-20171231_lab.xml</File>
    <File>bc-20171231_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles/>
  <BaseTaxonomies>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/invest/2013-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/country/2017-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://fasb.org/us-gaap/2017-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2014-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
  </BaseTaxonomies>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
