Guides
Clear, step-by-step guidance on financing, taxes, title, insurance and closing—written by marine specialists.
Featured
Boat Loan Requirements: What Lenders Look For
Credit, DTI, down payment, collateral, and when a co-borrower helps—what actually matters for approval.
How Much Down Payment for a Boat?
Typical 10–20%, how it changes your monthly payment, and tips for using trades or cash to optimize terms.
Private-Party Boat Purchase: Step-by-Step Closing Guide
From payoff letters to title transfer: a clear walkthrough for buying from a private seller with financing.
Funding Checklist for Dealers
Docs your deal needs for fast funding—purchase agreement, MSO/title, insurance, add-on invoices and more.
State Taxes & Registration
Find your state’s rules
Sales/use tax, title & registration requirements—organized by state.
All Guides
13 results
Boat Loan Requirements: What Lenders Look For
Credit, DTI, down payment, collateral, and when a co-borrower helps—what actually matters for approval.
How Much Down Payment for a Boat?
Typical 10–20%, how it changes your monthly payment, and tips for using trades or cash to optimize terms.
Boat Loan Rates Explained (by Type & Term)
Why APRs differ across cabin cruisers, pontoons, sailboats and PWCs—and how term length affects cost.
Private-Party Boat Purchase: Step-by-Step Closing Guide
From payoff letters to title transfer: a clear walkthrough for buying from a private seller with financing.
Dealer Purchase: From Quote to Funding
Purchase agreements, MSO/title handling, add-ons, insurance timing, and coordinating release of funds.
Marine Survey or Inspection: When is it Required?
When lenders request a survey, what’s inspected, typical costs, and how to choose a qualified surveyor.
Insurance for Boat Financing: What You Need
Binder requirements, common coverage limits and deductibles, and when to bind coverage before closing.
Taxes, Title & Registration—Can I Finance Them?
Sales/use tax, doc fees and title/registration: what can be rolled into your loan and when it makes sense.
Used vs New: Financing Differences
APR and term differences, documentation, depreciation factors, and how programs vary by age/condition.
Financing a PWC (Jet Ski): What’s Different?
Shorter terms, higher APR expectations and practical tips to get a strong offer on personal watercraft.
Pontoon Financing: Terms, APRs & Tips
Family-friendly financing: what lenders like, expected ranges, and how to keep payments comfortable.
Funding Checklist for Dealers
Docs your deal needs for fast funding—purchase agreement, MSO/title, insurance, add-on invoices and more.
Submitting Customers the Fast Way (Partner Links & Portal)
Use your personalized pre-qual link, invite flow, and live status updates to shorten deal timelines.
Need help picking the right path? Build your program or start your soft-pull pre-qualification.