Boat Loans Explained: A Guide to Financing a Boat
Since boats tend to be more pricey than cars, the loan amount and duration may need to be adjusted accordingly.
To what extent you have to put down money upfront, how long your loan term is, how good your credit is, and how much interest you pay all affect how much you wind up paying for a boat.
Let’s dive into the specifics of boat loans, including the various kinds available, how to apply, and your financing choices.
What is a Boat Loan?
A boat loan is a particular kind of personal installment loan that may be obtained from financial institutions like credit unions and banks as well as from online lenders.
After getting approved for a boat loan, you would be required to make regular monthly installments until the loan is completely paid off. A set interest rate will be included in the monthly payments, in addition to any fees that the lender may assess.
In most cases, borrowers can choose from a number of different repayment schedules offered by lenders.
Your credit score, the ratio of your debts to your income, the amount of money you make, the size of the loan you want, and whether you want to take out a secured or an unsecured loan all play a role in determining the loan period and the interest rate you are qualified for.
How Do Boat Loans Work?
If you have experience financing a car, you will have no trouble discovering how to finance a boat. A minimum initial payment of ten to twenty percent of the total loan amount is required by some lenders. There are financial institutions that will let you charge extras, such as life jackets and other forms of protective gear, to the loan that you take out.
There are two possible outcomes for the loan: either it will be secured or it will be unsecured; nonetheless, boat loans are typically secured. When you get a loan that’s secured, the boat you use to pay for it works as collateral.
If you default on your payments, the lender has the legal right to take back the item you pledged as collateral and sell it to cover their losses. However, if you take out a loan with collateral, the interest rate will typically be lower. There is also the option of getting an unsecured boat loan, which is something that we will go over a little bit later.
The funding of boats is a serious endeavor. The decision to take out a loan for a boat that has a term of up to twenty years can have far-reaching effects on your financial well-being.
Different Types of Boat Loans
There are several lending programs from which to choose if you wish to buy a boat.
Secured Loans
When applying for a secured loan, you must provide collateral to guarantee the loan. If you take out a loan to purchase a boat, the lender will have the legal right to repossess the vessel in the event that you fail to make loan payments.
Since the lender faces less risk with a secured loan, the borrower benefits from cheaper interest rates and larger loan amounts. But if you can’t keep up with the payments, you might have to say goodbye to your boat.
Unsecured Loans
The absence of a need for collateral in unsecured loans means that borrowers incur no danger of losing any tangible possessions should they default on their loan payments. When you don’t have a stellar credit history, though, the costs of an unsecured loan might really add up. Unsecured loans are highly desirable for customers with decent to exceptional credit.
Who Offers Boat Loans?
There are a variety of loan programs from which to choose if you determine that financing your yacht is the best course of action. Boat loans can be obtained from a number of different sources, including brick-and-mortar banks, credit unions, and even online lenders.
Finding the finest boat loan lender by comparing the market’s leading providers is essential before settling on a single provider.
- Conventional Banks – Loans can be obtained from numerous conventional banks. To finance your boat purchase, it may be wise to apply for a personal loan at a bank you already have an established relationship with.
Having previous experience with a bank might help you be approved for better interest rates, and some institutions even provide loyalty incentives to customers who maintain multiple accounts with them. If you would rather deal with a human being than a computer, a bank might be your best bet.
- Credit Unions – Like banks, credit unions frequently offer special treatment to returning members. In order to use the services offered, you must become a member of the credit union.
The interest rates and membership criteria at credit unions are typically lower than those at banks.
- Internet-based Credit Providers – Borrowers can apply for and get funds from internet lenders without ever having to leave their computers. The approval and funding times for loans from this type of lender are typically far shorter than those from more conventional banks.
It’s possible that finding a lender online will be the ideal option if you want a paperless experience or require access to funds immediately.
What to Consider When Applying for a Boat Loan
There are a number of factors to think about when applying for a loan to purchase a boat. Checking your credit rating is the next step after selecting a boat and calculating the amount of money you will need to borrow.
You can get a better sense of interest rates and loan sums from different lenders based on your credit score. There is no such thing as a 100% guarantee that you will receive the lowest interest rate offered.
Before agreeing to work with a lender, it’s important to have a firm grasp on your expected interest rate, taking into consideration any costs that the lender may impose.
There is a wide range of loan amounts and repayment terms to choose from among lenders. That’s why it’s crucial to calculate how much money you require to borrow before looking into different financial institutions.
To determine how much money you will need to borrow, add the annual cost of boat maintenance and insurance to the purchase price. Larger loans typically have more generous payback periods, though this varies by lender.
Before agreeing to a loan, it is essential to do your homework and read all of the terms and conditions.
How to Apply for a Boat Loan
Here’s what you can do to get a boat loan if you’re convinced that’s what you need.
- Calculate how much money you’ll need to borrow. Maintaining a boat adds up to more than the boat itself costs. When estimating the total cost of boat ownership, you should include in not just the purchase price but also insurance premiums, maintenance fees, and other possible outlays.
- Assess your credit rating. You may find out what kind of loan terms you might expect from different lenders by checking your credit rating and knowing your current financial situation.
- Pick up the kind of loan you want. You can get a secured or unsecured loan for your boat. Collateral is necessary for a secured loan. The yacht itself would serve as collateral in this situation. If you need money but don’t want to risk losing your boat in the process, an unsecured loan could be the way to go.
- Find out as much as you can about the lenders. Multiple financial institutions offer loans to borrowers. Compare each plan’s prices, terms, fees, and extras like automatic payments and round-the-clock support to find the best option for your needs.
- Pick out a potential lender and fill out an application. If you’ve already settled on a specific lender, you can submit an application directly to them via their website.
Many lenders will let you prequalify without affecting your credit score if you’re trying to decide between them and want to examine the specific details. The terms and conditions of your potential loan with that bank will be laid out before your own eyes.
- Get all your paperwork in order. Pay stubs, W-2s, evidence of domicile, a valid driver’s license, and other documentation evidencing your financial condition may be requested during the application process.
Alternatives to Boat Loans
If you don’t want to use a personal loan to purchase a boat, you should look into your alternative options, which are listed here.
- Make payments with cash – Buying a boat with cash can be a good option if you have the necessary savings and are in a position to do so.
When compared to taking out a loan, paying for something out of pocket can help you avoid incurring additional fees and interest charges. It also indicates that the ratio of your total debt to your income and your credit score will not alter as a result of the transaction.
- Charter a boat – Purchasing a boat is a significant financial commitment that requires ongoing upkeep, as well as insurance and other costs.
If you want to get behind the wheel of a boat without making a long-term commitment or shouldering additional financial burdens, you might want to look into renting a boat. You would be able to get experience in this manner without having to make any long-term commitments.
- Marine financing – The option of obtaining financing from the dealership from where you will be purchasing the boat is likely to be the most convenient kind of financing available. If you work with the financing office at the dealership, you can cut down on the amount of time you spend looking for loans.
There are instances when dealerships provide customers with unique benefits such as rebates and manufacturer offers. Financing from a dealership, on the other hand, will cost you more in the long run due to costly interest rates and lengthier repayment terms.
Bottom Line
When considering how to finance the acquisition of a boat, it is important to bear in mind that the available possibilities change depending on the specifics of your own financial situation.
Exactly like with any other type of loan, those who have excellent credit and a respectable amount of extra cash on hand will find boat loan conditions that are more beneficial than people who have less-than-perfect credit and are on a more limited spending plan.
When compared to purchasing a vehicle or a house, the financing of a luxury item such as a boat might be susceptible to stricter underwriting requirements.
Several things should be brought to your attention are the following:
- Even if you are granted approval for a loan and have the funds necessary to make a deposit, this does not guarantee that you would be able to fulfill your financial commitments over the course of the loan’s term. Make sure you check your budget and keep your expectations reasonable.
- When looking for a loan, it is important to evaluate your credit, reduce any other outstanding debt, and be prequalified for the loan so that you will know the precise sum for which you will be authorized.
- Don’t get yourself into situations that are beyond your abilities. It is tempting to purchase a boat, but before giving in to that temptation, it is best to determine whether or not you will be able to afford the monthly payments on the boat.
