Finding the boat of your dreams is really the easy part. It is when you go to get that boat loan so you can pay for it that things can start to get sticky. Like when you finance anything, it is important for you to think about where your loan is going to come from and how you are going to go about getting it. Before you even get that far, though, you will want to make sure you are working through The National Marine Bankers Association. It is an organization that supports the boat lending companies. Companies working with the NMBA know about boats and can more effectively finance you.
First, you may think about getting a boat loan from a local bank. Many banks, in fact, are NMBA members. You may want to first check your personal bank to see if they do boat financing. Find out what the rates are like, what sort of loan terms are available, and whether or not they would be willing to finance the specific boat you are considering. Also check boat magazines for bank ads, ones advertising there will be looking for boat loans, so will be happy to assist you.
A credit union is another great place to seek your boat loan. If you are a member of a credit union, contact them to see if they do boat loans. Usually rates for members are very good at credit unions. Check to see if they are a member of NMBA. If they are, you will likely be able to get a really competitive rate on a loan for your boat.
A financial service company will be able to give many lenders great finance programs. Many are members of NMBA and know the boating industry so are great for financing. Many advertise in boating magazines, so check those first as they are aggressively seeking out loans for boats.
You will also want to check out the dealership if you are buying your boat from one. Like car dealerships, they offer loan assistance. Many of the boat dealerships, whether it be new or pre-owned, have a finance manager who can help you with the boat loan process. In fact, the manager may be able to handle the entire loan process for you. Make sure you ask to be sure that the companies the dealership uses are NMBA members.
The boat loan process is not necessarily difficult, but you have to make sure you know what you are doing. Before you get anything going, though, it is definitely important to know who is going to be lending you the money. You want to find someone who knows the boating industry and thus can understand your loan needs completely. By seeking out NMBA members for your loan, you can be assured that you are getting a reputable company that understands the special financing needs of a boat buyer. Beyond that, it is just a matter of tracking down the bank or institution with whom you can get the best rates and are most comfortable dealing with.
Christopher M. Luck has over 15 years experience in dealing with boat loans and is now offering his free professional boat loan advice to the public. If you are at all interested in Christopher's professional loan advice, tips, or secrets, you can visit his secret loan blog