Why Are Boat Loans So Long

Income Is A Factor When Applying For A Personal Loan

Income matters when it comes to personal loans since theyre generally unsecured. This means theres no collateral that can be used if you dont pay your loan back. Your lender wont be able to seize your house, boat or car to make up their losses, for instance.

Because of this, financial institutions lean heavily on your income level when deciding whether to lend to you.

Its a solid rule of thumb that the more you earn, the more youll be able to borrow. That probably doesnt surprise you much.

Some lenders also have a cut-off when it comes to lending based on income figures. They wont lend to you if your income is under a certain amount.

Determine Your Down Payment

Your first step is to determine how much you can afford to put down on your boat upfront. The more you can put down, the less financing you will need. Lenders tend to ask for a down payment between 10 and 15% of the total boat loan amount. How much you will need to put down depends on the type of loan you obtain and the lender.

Before you provide your down payment, ensure you understand the terms, such as whether your down payment is refundable if you cannot secure a boat loan or you change your mind about making the purchase. Make sure you get a receipt for your down payment and an outline of the terms. At My Financing USA, we also offer 100% financing on a case-by-case basis.

What Can You Do On A Boat After Retirement

Your imagination is the only limit to what you can do on a boat after you retire. You can visit different lakes, go fishing, help with humanitarian missions or host your grandchildren on a cruise. When you buy a boat, you can find many new hobbies, too, such as watching the stars on the water at night or going birdwatching. You may also enjoy learning to fix the boat or making improvements to the outside.

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Best For Bad Credit: Southeast Financial

Southeast Financial

Why We Chose It: Southeast Financial is our top choice for boat loans for borrowers with bad credit because it has a low minimum FICO score requirement of 550, free credit consultation, and will even lend to borrowers who have filed for bankruptcy in the past if they are discharged.

• No live-aboard vessel loans

• Fees arent published

• Doesnt usually finance charter boats

Southeast Financial has been financing boats since the early 2000s, offers loans in all states, and focuses on providing the best rates and terms for all of its customers. It specializes in funding subprime borrowers loans. In addition to boat loans, it offers RV loans, boat warranties, horse trailer loans, and motorcycle loans. Customers appreciate the responsive customer service teams, marine industry knowledge, and variety of loans.

Rates typically start at 3.74% and terms go up to 15 years. Loan applications are processed within 24 hours and funding generally takes three to five business days. The company doesnt require a minimum boat loan amount and typically will finance boats up to $4 million. It offers loans for new and used boats for recreational purposes only it does not offer live-aboard boat loans.

Financing fees vary depending on the type of loan, type of vessel, and borrower qualifications.

Who Should Get A Boat Loan

You should get a boat loan if:

• You want to purchase your first boat but dont have the cash.
• You want to upgrade and buy a new boat.
• You want to buy a used boat.
• You want to refinance your current boat.
• You want to purchase a yacht and use it for charters.

A boat loan is usually not a good idea if youre living paycheck to paycheck and arent sure if you will be able to make the payments on time. Its also not a good idea if youre not going to use your boat very much, you may be too busy, or live somewhere with a short boating season.

You want to make sure that the high associated costs of owning a boat and financing it are worth it before deciding to get a boat loan.

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How Long To Finance A Bass Boat

If you intend to use your boat for fishing, a bass boat may be a great option. These vessels feature a flat deck, a powerful outboard engine and aerated livewells to provide the best fishing experience possible. When fishing on a bass boat, you have more control of your boat in shallow water and during periods of high wind.

As with other types of boats, financing for a bass boat will differ based on the vessel’s age, location, condition and make and model. For a bass boat, a lender may base the loan terms on the total amount you borrow rather than on the boat’s current value. Some factors that impact your interest rate for a bass boat include:

• Your down payment
• Your creditworthiness

Navy Federal Credit Union

Navy Federal Credit Union offers loans for new and used boats and personal watercraft, with terms of up to 180 months. Military members with direct deposit may qualify for a rate discount. Service members in all branches of the armed forces, along with their families and household members, are eligible for credit union membership.

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Ways To Finance A Houseboat

Theres no one way to get a houseboat, noted David Raney, senior vice president of residential lending at Seattle-based Sound Community Bank. If a consumer doesnt mind mixing and matching liabilities, there are going to be more affordable ways to do it, he said, mentioning that if you have trouble finding a specific houseboat loan, there are alternatives:

Banks, credit unions and online lenders: A bank or credit union where you already have an account may offer boat loans. Ask if a lender is willing to take on this type of boat at the amount and terms youll need. You can also check with online lenders. You could fill out a single online form at LendingTree and receive several boat loan offers from lenders, based on your creditworthiness.

A broker will help you with the buying process, and theyll be able to use their connections to help you arrange financing. Typically, deals are made between two brokers: your buyers broker and a sellers broker. They act similarly to a real estate agent, helping you negotiate with a sellers broker. But thats not to say that it doesnt come with a markup on the sellers end it generally costs a seller 10% more to use a broker, so expect to pay for the expertise somehow.

How Many Years Do Lenders Finance Boats For

Note that loan terms vary from lender to lender and by loan type. A personal loan, also known as an unsecured loan, often comes with shorter loan terms, while lenders who specialize in boat loans may offer longer loan terms. There are two main avenues you can pursue for financing your boat:

• Many borrowers go directly to lenders like credit unions and banks to get financing for a boat. These financial institutions tend to offer some of the best interest rates on the market. If you’re a bank or credit union member, you may even qualify for discounts when you finance your boat with them.My Financing USA works with banks and credit unions across the nation to find the best boat loan for you.
• Dealer financing:The majority of financing for new boats happens through dealerships. These businesses draw in customers, as they’re the ones with a wide selection of boats to sell and have relationships with financial institutions that can offer customers boat loans. When a customer expresses interest in a boat at a dealership, they may pursue financing through the dealership or be referred to a bank.

At My Financing USA, you can finance a boat loan for many years anywhere from 60 months to 240 months. This flexibility means you can pay off your boat as quickly as five years or take up to 20 years to repay your loan. How long you can finance your boat with My Financing USA depends on your loan size:

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Purchase Your Dream Boat Now

Are you dreaming of that perfect moment when you can walk down to the waterfront and captain your very own vessel? Well, stop dreaming and start planning with MoneyMes online boat loans up to $50,000. We are an online money lender in Australia offering individuals fast access to unsecured personal loans, like our boat loans and car loans with no fuss and no hassle.

Compare And Save On Your Boat Loan

Savvy is one of Australias most trusted boat loan and marine finance specialists. Our financial professionals trawl through over 25 of the nations best boat and marine financiers and banks to make sure our customers get the best deal. Each of our customers is guaranteed the Savvy silver service from signing up all the way to the end of the loan. How can you compare and save with Savvy? Click here!

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Is It Easy Or Hard To Get Financed For A Boat With Good Credit

When you have good credit, boat financing can be easy to find. Good credit tells lenders that you are a responsible candidate for a loan. It indicates you will pay on your loan regularly until it is paid off. When a lender sees a steady repayment history on credit cards, utility bills and mortgages paid on time, you become a reasonable risk.

How quickly your loan process is depends on who you work with. My Financing USA offers fast turnarounds, connecting you to lenders in just a few days. You could have the money to buy your boat quickly. While the loan process may be easier when you have good credit, you can still finance a new or used boat when you have a low credit score. Working with My Financing USA will make the process quicker.

Whats Considered A Good Credit Score For A Boat Loan

As noted, there are many different types of boat loans and different types of lenders that offer them. As a general rule of thumb, the higher your credit score, the lower your interest rate. This means that you will end up paying less over the term of the loan than someone with a lower credit score.

Typically, 700 is considered a good credit score for a boat loan. However, some lenders dont require a minimum credit score or will consider your debt to income ratio, work history, and the cost of the boat alongside your credit score.

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Apply For A Boat Loan

At My Financing USA, we offer financing for boat purchases. Our application process is 100% online and follows the simple steps outlined below.

The best way to finance a boat purchase or a used boat is by applying for a boat loan from My Financing USA today.

If your current loan isn’t working for you, you can refinance a boat loan to get terms that are a better fit for your current financial situation. Learn more about how a new or used boat refinance works and the numerous benefits of doing it.

What Do You Need To Qualify For A Boat Loan

You will need to show the lender your financial ability to pay back a boat loan. Banks will look at your credit rating, so its important for you to look at it first. Three major bureaus provide this kind of information to lending institutions: Experian, Equifax and Trans Union. Start there.

Its important for you to check your credit rating before the bank looks into it. Heres why: If you find a problem or some inaccuracies, its much easier for you to get those straightened out before you apply for a loan.

Be sure there are no closed accounts that are being reported as open, and close any open accounts you dont use anymore. By accessing your credit report first, you can stop problems before they start. There are lenders out there who will do subprime financing, which provides options for people with lower credit scores, but the national lenders will likely require credit scores to be 680 or higher. So, tidy things up before you begin.

Banks also look at your debt-to-income ratio, which is determined by dividing your monthly debt payments by your monthly income. Many lenders prefer a debt-to-income ratio of around 40 or 45 percent, including payment on the boat loan for which you are applying.

Lenders also will look at your net worth and liquidity. Your net worth is defined as assets minus liabilities usually properties owned less any debt you have. A liquid asset is anything that can be turned into cash within 30 days or less.

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Freestyle For Everyday Purchases

Alternatively, a line of credit option like our Freestyle Virtual Credit Account offers you flexible credit for balances between $1,000 and $10,000. It works like your conventional line of credit and a virtual credit card, but a lot better: Use Freestyle to shop in-store or online at any stores that accept Mastercard. Use it to split bills when going out for dinner with friends or when you simply want to have ready-to-use cash for everyday transactions. Plus, it lets you transfer funds straight to your bank account or to anyone, too!

Once you have repaid any credit you have used, that credit becomes available for you to withdraw again. Customers get access to 55 days interest-free on all purchases made using our online . Freestyle is your all-in-one virtual card that lets you spend now, pay later and more.

Other options from MoneyMe include renovation loans designed to help you get started on home improvements sooner rather than later, and travel loans for people who enjoy getting their booking done early and taking advantage of early-bird specials on things like flights, tours and accommodation.

Know How Much You Can Afford To Pay Back

Just because you can get a loan out doesnt necessarily mean that you should. The rules used by lenders to determine your loan amount are an imperfect although necessary tool.

You know better than anyone else what you can afford and what you cant. Its important to weigh the short-term rewards of your loan with the long-term impact your decision will have on your finances. Again, if youre unsure about what you can handle, do some calculations first.

Ultimately, youll have to ask, Will my personal loan become more of a problem than the initial problem I wanted to solve? If you borrow more than you can handle, your personal loan wont be worth it. Knowing whether you can afford to borrow is one of the most crucial things to know before getting a personal loan.

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Best Commercial Loan: Coastal Financial

Coastal Financial

Why We Chose It: Coastal Financial is our top choice for the best commercial boat loan because the company specializes in charter boat financing and will also take care of setting up charter management and boat insurance for you.

• Offers boat insurance and charter management

• No upfront rates

• No published loan fees

• You have to contact the company for borrower requirements

Coastal Financial offers a quick application process and fast funding. It finances new and used boats, charter boats, refinances, and RV purchases. It offers boat loans from $5,000 $5 million and approvals take less than 24 hours. You can apply online or over the phone.

In addition to boat loans, Coastal Financial also offers U.S. Coast Guard documentation, boat insurance, and a boat charter management program. Coastal Financial offers commercial loans for yachts, fishing boats, catamarans, and sailboats. Youll need to contact the company for loan fees and specific loan requirements and terms as they are not available on the website.

Once the borrower and vessel are approved for a charter loan, you put the boat in your companys LLC and you can enter it into a charter program. You can choose how often you want the boat chartered, and when you want to use it, and the company will handle the rest.

Coastal Financial has mostly positive customer reviews with customers appreciating the marine industry knowledge, easy application process, and fast funding times.

How Many Years Can I Finance A Used Boat

Like a new boat, you can finance a used boat for as long as 20 years. The financing options for used boats may differ from options for new boats. If a model is old, a lender may not be willing to offer financing whatsoever, as a lender typically needs collateral for a secure loan. While you may see a boat that’s cost-effective and ready for a makeover, your lender could see an unreliable asset.

Fortunately, if you find a used boat that suits your needs and preferences, My Financing USA can help you find the financing option that’s right for you.

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