Marine & Boat Finance · Asset Finance
Runabout to yacht, financed around the boat and how you’ll use it.
We arrange finance for boats and jet skis, for personal or business use, with lenders whose policy suits the vessel. Tell us what you’re buying and get a straight answer before you commit.
$1.5b in settled lending
MPA Top Commercial Brokers
5.0 Google rating
Phone answered 24 hours
What happens next
Why commercial through Evolve
Commercial is where we do our best work
Lenders who fund boats
Not every lender finances boats, and each sets its own age and type rules. Deep relationships with 15 to 20 lenders tell us who fits.
Private sales, checked
We search the national register for finance owing on the hull and the trailer, check the seller’s papers and flag any survey needed.
Your income, read properly
Self-employed with fresh or deduction-heavy financials? Some lenders offer low doc boat loans, with lighter paperwork. We know which ones, and what they need.
Structured for the use
A weekend boat and a boat that earns income are financed differently. We match the loan to how it is used, working with your accountant.
“Les and Mark were wonderful throughout the entire process, providing expert advice to secure the exact deal I needed for my financial goals. Communication was excellent, and they kept me informed every step of the way.”
Jeff, Google review
“Les is so polite and made us feel like we could ask anything knowing he would guide us in the right direction. I would recommend Les to anybody looking for a mortgage broker, he was amazing.”
Samuel, Google review
In plain terms
Boat finance, explained before you buy
Boat finance works like a car loan in most respects, with one difference that catches people out: the boat matters as much as the borrower. Lenders look at your income and credit history, then at the vessel’s type, age, price and use, and each draws those lines differently. A jet ski, a trailer boat and a yacht can end up with three different lenders.
Some lenders cap the boat’s age at the end of the loan, some want a survey on older or larger hulls, and private sales need extra checks. We match the boat to a lender whose policy fits, or say so when broker-arranged personal loans or using your equity would suit you better. We have financed luxury yachts, aircraft and horse treadmills, so an unusual boat will not faze us.
Tell us what you are buying and how you will use it. The answer will be straight: possible now, possible with changes, or not yet.
How it works
From first call to settlement
- Step
The recommendation
A 15 to 30 minute call about the boat, then lender, term, any balloon (a final lump sum) and total cost in writing.
- Step
Loan application
Once you agree, one application to the lender that fits: ID, income evidence and the boat’s hull, engine and trailer numbers when known.
- Step
Lender approval
The lender assesses you and the boat, or issues a conditional pre-approval while you shop. Where the lender needs a survey, approval follows the report.
- Step
Approval to settlement
We handle the loan documents, the lender’s settlement conditions and payment to the dealer or seller. Handover then depends on the seller, not the finance.
Understanding boat loans
How boat lending actually works
How does a boat loan work?
A boat loan is usually secured against the vessel, with the lender registering its interest on the Personal Property Securities Register until the loan is repaid. You own and use the boat from day one, and repayments are normally fixed over a term of one to seven years.
The boat, motor and trailer are generally financed as one package, and jet skis are financed the same way, often over shorter terms.
Boat loan or home equity: which makes sense?
Borrowing against your home usually carries a lower rate, but it stretches a boat over the life of the mortgage unless you pay it down faster. A boat loan costs more each year yet is cleared within a few years, keeping the home loan for the home.
The honest comparison is total cost over the years you will own the boat, fees included, and what a bigger mortgage does to your next move. We run both before recommending either.
Can you finance an older or privately sold boat?
Usually, yes, though the lender list narrows as the boat gets older. Many secured lenders cap the boat’s age at the end of the loan, so an older hull may suit a shorter term or an unsecured personal loan instead.
Private sales add checks before settlement, including a search for finance still owing on the boat. We tell you what applies before you pay a deposit.
Can you buy a boat through your business?
Yes, where the boat is genuinely used in the business, such as charter, tourism or commercial fishing. It is usually financed with a chattel mortgage, a business loan secured against the boat, which the business owns from day one.
Tax needs care. Deductions for a boat not used mainly for hire, paid transport or other essential business work can be limited to what the boat earns, so settle the structure with your accountant before you buy.
Keep exploring
Vans and campers, financed the same careful way.
A boat, box or car trailer, bought on its own.
The tow vehicle, if the boat needs one.
Guide · Ownership, GST and balloons on a business asset loan
Talk to us before you pay a deposit
Call 1300 112 355
Questions boat buyers actually ask
What types of boats can be financed?
Finance may be available for a wide range of vessels, including powerboats, sailboats, yachts, jet skis, and other recreational or commercial marine craft depending on the lender and scenario.
Can I get finance for a used boat or a private sale purchase?
Yes, in many cases finance may be available for both used vessels and private sale purchases. The available options will depend on the asset itself and the lender’s policy.
What documents are usually needed for marine finance?
Requirements vary by lender and scenario, but common documents may include identification, proof of income, liability information, and details of the vessel being purchased, including invoice or sale information where available.
Can I get pre-approval for marine finance?
In some cases, yes. Pre-approval can help you understand your likely position before committing to a specific vessel, although the final structure will still depend on the asset and lender requirements.
What affects the interest rate for boat finance?
Pricing can vary depending on the type and age of the vessel, whether it is new or used, whether the loan is secured or unsecured, the purchase method, your financial position, and the lender’s policy.
Can I finance a boat trailer as well?
In some cases, yes. Smaller watercraft purchases may also allow finance for the associated trailer depending on the lender and how the deal is structured.
Is marine finance available for personal and business use?
Yes. Depending on the vessel and the purpose, finance may be available for both personal boating and business or commercial marine use.