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Best boat loans of September 2024

Updated Sep 16, 2024

What to know first: A boat loan is a type of financing — typically a personal loan — used to fund the purchase of a boat or related expenses. Similar to auto loans, they generally come with fixed monthly payments and fixed interest rates. The approval process is mostly dependent on credit, with the lowest rates going to those with the best credit profiles.

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PERSONAL LOANS

LightStream: Best overall boat loan

4.7

Est. APR
6.99- 15.89%
Loan term
2-12 yrs*
Loan amount
$5k- $100K
Min credit score
695
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PERSONAL LOANS

UPGRADE: BEST FOR BUYING BOAT ACCESSORIES

4.7

Est. APR
9.99- 35.99%
with AutoPay
Loan term
2-7 yrs
Loan amount
$1k- $50K
Min credit score
600
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PERSONAL LOANS

Best for bad, low or no credit boat loans

4.8

Est. APR
7.80- 35.99%
Loan term
3-5 yrs
Loan amount
$1k- $50K
Min credit score
300
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PERSONAL LOANS

Best for consolidating debt for future boat financing

4.7

Est. APR
8.99- 35.99%
Loan term
2-5 yrs
Loan amount
$5k- $50K
Min credit score
620
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PERSONAL LOANS

PROSPER: BEST FOR FAIR CREDIT BOAT LOANS

4.6

Est. APR
8.99- 35.99%
Loan term
2-5 yrs
Loan amount
$2k- $50K
Min credit score
640

PERSONAL LOANS

SOFI: BEST FOR LOWER CREDIT LUXURY BOAT LOANS

4.7

Est. APR
8.99- 29.49%
with all discounts
Loan term
2-7 yrs
Loan amount
$5k- $100K
Min credit score
300

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Compare boat loan rates from Bankrate’s top picks

Taking the time to get acquainted with all of the best boat loan lender’s terms is a great way to start your boat loan shopping. You may cross some off the list right away because you don’t qualify based on your credit score, or you need a higher loan amount or longer term than some of the lenders offer. 

LENDER BEST FOR EST. APR LOAN AMOUNT LOAN TERM MIN CREDIT SCORE
LightStream Overall 7.49%-25.49% * with AutoPay $5,000-$100,000 2 - 7 years 695
Upstart Low or no credit 7.80%-35.99% $1,000-$50,000 3 - 5 years No requirement
Achieve Consolidating debt for future boat financing 8.99%-35.99% $5,000-$50,000 2 - 5 years 620
Upgrade Buying a sailboat 9.99%-35.99% $1,000-$50,000 2 - 7 years 600
Prosper Fair credit boat loans 8.99%-35.99% $2,000-$50,000 2 - 5 years 640
SoFi Buying a luxury boat 8.99%-29.49% $5,000-$100,000 2 - 7 years No requirement

A closer look at our top boat loan lenders

Taking an even deeper dive into our top boat loan lenders, we focus on how each lender differs from one another and why they stand out. We also include data when available on how Bankrate users use their loans. This can give you an idea as to your possible lending relationship with each lender.  

LightStream: Best overall boat loan

 

LightStream
Rating: 4.7 stars out of 5
4.7

Overview: Owned by Truist Bank, LightStream has been an online loan marketplace since 2012. It provides loans up to $100,000, which is more than what most of our best personal loan lenders offer.

Est. APR
6.99%–15.89%
Loan amount
$5k– $100k
Min credit score
695

Upstart: Best for low or no credit 

Upstart
Rating: 4.8 stars out of 5
4.8

Overview: Upstart is an online lending marketplace that connects applicants to over 100 banks, lenders and credit unions. It claims its flexible lending model allows it to offer significantly lower rates than a traditional lending model would. 

Est. APR
7.80%–35.99%
Loan amount
$1k– $50k
Min credit score
300

Achieve: Best for consolidating debt for future boat financing

Achieve
Rating: 4.7 stars out of 5
4.7

Overview: While many lenders offer consolidation loans, not many offer a discount just for taking out the loan. Individuals who use at least 85 percent of their Achieve funds to consolidate debt are eligible for a rate discount. 

Est. APR
8.99%–35.99%
Loan amount
$5k– $50k
Min credit score
620

Upgrade: Best for buying boat accessories

Upgrade
Rating: 4.7 stars out of 5
4.7

Overview: Over the last five years, Upgrade made over $24 million in credit available to its customers. The online consumer lending platform is headquartered in San Francisco and opened its doors in 2016. Unlike many of our best online lenders it has multiple offices across America.

Est. APR
9.99%–35.99%
Loan amount
$1k– $50k
Min credit score
600

Prosper: Best for fair credit boat loans

Prosper
Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
4.6

Overview: Prosper started in 2005 as an online peer-to-peer lender. It specializes in low-interest loans and is the only peer-to-peer lender in our fleet of best boat loans. In almost 20 years, the company has connected customers with $27 billion in loans. 

Est. APR
8.99%–35.99%
Loan amount
$2k– $50k
Min credit score
640

SoFi: Best for buying a luxury boat

SoFi
Rating: 4.7 stars out of 5
4.7

Overview: SoFi is an online lender offering a suite of member benefits and competitive loan products. It's one of our newer boat loan lenders and was founded in 2011 by Stanford graduates. Since then, it's become one of the most popular companies in the personal loan marketplace with over 7.5 million members. 

Est. APR
8.99%–29.49%
Loan amount
$5k– $100k
Min credit score
300

What is a boat loan?

A boat loan is financing you take out to buy a new or used watercraft. The loan may be used for just the boat itself, or you can finance all the bells and whistles you need for fishing, water skiing or entertaining. You can take out an unsecured personal loan to buy your boat, or secure a loan on your boat through a dealership or bank.

Types of boat loans

A secured loan is backed by collateral — property, a vehicle or a valuable item that's used to recoup the loan value if the loan payments aren't made. In the case of a secured boat loan, the boat is collateral. 

Most boat dealerships, credit unions and banks offer secured boat loans. Rates are often more competitive since the lender can repossess your boat if you default. You may also be able to borrow more money, qualify with lower credit scores and spread the payments over a longer period than most unsecured boat loans allow. 

You may need to make a down payment on a secured boat loan. The lender may set restrictions on the type, age and usage of a boat they’re willing to finance.

Pros and cons of getting a boat loan

Green circle with a checkmark inside

Pros

  • Depending on the financial institution and your credit score, you may be able to purchase a boat without making a down payment.
  • Terms of up to 20 years may be available if you get a secured loan through a marine finance company.
  • Opting for an unsecured loan means you own the boat outright.
  • An unsecured personal loan gives you funds quickly if you’re competing to buy a used boat with a private owner.
Red circle with an X inside

Cons

  • Origination and administrative fees may be in the double digits for unsecured boat loans.
  • Taking out a larger loan could boost your debt-to-income ratio significantly, which makes it harder to get approved for other forms of financing, such as a home mortgage.
  • You’ll have more limitations on loan amount and terms with unsecured boat loan lenders.
  • Secured boat loan lenders may not approve your boat if it’s an older used model.

Is a boat loan a good idea?


Nationally recognized student financial aid expert

If a boat is a luxury, as opposed to a necessity, buying a boat with a boat loan may not be a good idea. You may have trouble making the loan payments. The value of the boat will depreciate over time. There will also be ongoing costs involved in keeping the boat even if you don’t use it, such as insurance, maintenance and storage. You may be better off renting a boat if you don’t use the boat very frequently.

Senior Loans Writer

Committing to a boat loan makes sense if you’re more than just a once or twice-a-year weekend water warrior, and don’t have the cash to buy one outright. Like any recreational purchase, make sure you budget for the initial and ongoing costs. You’ll need some way to get the boat to the water, a place to store it and will spend money to maintain it before, during and after your local boating season. Pick the shortest term you can afford so you can enjoy payment-free boat ownership sooner rather than later. If you have a tough time finding a secured loan for an older used boat, an unsecured personal loan may be a good alternative.

How to compare boat loans

What makes a lender "best" for a boat loan depends on your plans for boat ownership. Look at these factors when choosing the best boat loan lender.

  • Used boat restrictions: An older pre-owned boat may be viewed as a risk by a lender. If you're financing an older boat, don't be surprised if your lender requires a full inspection of the vessel to ensure it's in good condition before approving the loan. The loan-to-value (LTV) ratio will determine how much a lender is willing to finance.
  • Member benefits: Banks, lenders and credit unions may offer benefits to existing members that marine-specific lenders lack. Some potential perks include interest rate discounts, extended grace periods or payment relief options. Plus, the application process will likely be streamlined with a financial institution that already has your information.  
  • Rates and terms: Your credit profile largely determines the annual percentage rate (APR) you'll be offered. An excellent credit score paired with a large down payment may give you leverage to negotiate. Prequalify with at least three lenders to get an idea of what a competitive low interest rate could look like for you. If you need a low payment, make sure you shop around for lenders that offer terms as long as seven years or longer.
  • Fees: Carefully read the terms and conditions to see what fees each lender you're considering charges. Some waive every fee while others charge administration, prepayment and origination fees, to name a few. Unsecured personal loan fees can be more than 10 percent so make sure you borrow enough to pay them and cover the cost of your boat.

How to get a boat loan

Getting a boat loan can be a quick and relatively painless process if you know what to expect. Before starting your search, have a clear idea of exactly how much you need to borrow, what you need from the loan and the rate you can afford. 

  1. Create a budget: Calculate how much boat you can afford before you start the process. Besides the monthly payment, consider how much cash you’ll need for a down payment if you plan to buy new from a dealership. If you can’t afford to own and maintain a boat or only want to use it once or twice a year for a few days, consider renting a boat instead.
  2. Check your credit score and employment stability: Like any loan, the best credit scores will get you the lowest rates, largest loan amounts and longer terms. You’ll also need to document a steady income to qualify.
  3. Decide on the type of boat you want: A new boat will typically come with a high price tag, a down payment requirement and a secured loan. If you’re buying used, it may be easier to budget for an unsecured loan since the loan isn’t based on the boat’s features. 
  4. Shop around: Look at multiple lenders before completing full applications. Make sure you meet the basic credit score requirements and that the lender offers a loan for the amount you need. From there, create a list of the top three to four lenders. 
  5. Prequalify: Find lenders that allow you to prequalify first. Prequalification is a process that allows you to check your predicted interest rates and approval odds without any negative impact on your credit score.
  6. Compare offers and apply: Banks, credit unions and marine dealer finance companies usually require that you be present for certain portions of the process. After applying, most lenders let you know within minutes if you’re prequalified. Funding timelines will vary by lender and loan security.
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Alternatives to boat loans 

There are other ways to finance a boat or cover additional costs like repairs. Keep in mind that these options could put you at risk of losing your home, since they are both secured by your home. 

  • Home equity loans can also be used to finance a boating-related purchase by securing a loan against your house. Home equity loan rates are usually fixed with terms that can be spread out for 30 years. One major drawback with this choice is by tying your home’s equity for the boat purchase, you risk losing your home, or netting a much smaller profit if you have to sell the home.
  • Home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) are like credit cards secured by your home, and may be a good option if you have several boat-related costs to cover over time. You can use, pay off and reuse the line of credit as often as you wish during the draw period. The payment is only based on the amount you’ve used. 

Frequently asked questions about boat loans

How we made our picks for best boat loans

Bankrate's trusted personal loans industry expertise

48

years in business

30

lenders reviewed

20

loan features weighed

665

data points collected

To select the best boat loans, Bankrate’s team of experts evaluated over 30 lenders. Each lender was ranked using a meticulous 20-point system, focusing on four main categories: