What year is this motor

Hey Jan,
The model number/serial number should be on plate attached to the engine mount...You need the model number to determine year.
Outboard Motors Boat Parts Marine Engines Inboard Boat Motor

try reading this on ehow http://www.ehow.com/facts_7292301_evinrude-year-identification.html

1978 It is in the model on an Evinrude. 6804.... 6 HP.....1978

Here are a few resources: http://www.themanualstore.com/Evinrude-Johnson-Outboard-Motor-Model-Year-Lookup-Guide-s/232.htm

and the manual too:
http://www.themanualstore.com/Evinrude-Manual-Outboard-Motor-Service-and-Repair-Manuals-s/190.htm

The Manual Store also has some useful boat motor model year lookup data:
Boat Motor Model Year Lookup Guide

some of the core and block parts on the motor will have some form of serial number on them to distinguish models and years of the cars they were made for any form of serial identification can help determine your year.

According to: http://www.northlandmarine.com/MinnKotaMotorControlBoardAssm.htm

*Note: Newer model trolling motors have serial numbers beginning with the two-letter prefix MK (Minn Kota), followed by a two-letter year code. MKAB .......... 2001
MKAC .......... 2002
MKAD .......... 2003
MKAE .......... 2004
MKAF .......... 2005 MKAG .......... 2006
MKAH .......... 2007
MKAI ............ 2008
MKAJ ........... 2009
MKBA .......... 2010 A serial number with the designation MKAB denotes a
2001-motor and MKBA would be a 2010-year model