Category guide
Boat & marine financing
Marine financing is a secured loan for a boat or personal watercraft — arranged through a dealer or marine lender, with the vessel as collateral and terms that scale with the purchase price.
What marine financing covers
Marine financing funds the purchase of a boat, personal watercraft or outboard, secured by the vessel. Terms scale with the price — a small runabout finances like a car, while a larger cruiser can carry a much longer amortization.
Dealer versus marine lender
Boat dealers arrange financing on-site, while marine-specialist lenders and credit unions compete on rate. Larger or older vessels may require a marine survey before a lender will fund them.
How to compare and borrow smart
Compare the APR and total cost across the term, and factor in insurance, mooring and maintenance before you commit. Use the directory to compare marine dealers and lenders near you by rating.