Monday, January 13th
2025 Boat Loan Reviews
Upstart
- Loans between $1,000 and $50,000 (structured as a personal loan)
- Uses more than your credit score to determine eligibility
- Connects borrowers to more than 100 banks and credit unions
- Most loans funded within 24 hours
- Over 2.7 million customers and $34 billion in originations
- Available in 48 states (excluding Iowa and West Virginia)
- "A+” rated and accredited by the BBB
- Over 40,000 five-star reviews from clients
Financing a boat without straining your finances or solely relying on your credit score is the essence of what Upstart brings to the table. Founded by former Google employees, Upstart takes a distinctive approach by evaluating your college degree, field of study, work history, and credit history years to determine your eligibility for a boat loan.
Millions of customers
This unique approach makes Upstart a positive force in the fintech world, particularly for recent graduates or those still building their credit history. The numbers speak for themselves: over 2.7 million customers have embraced Upstart, resulting in $34 billion in loan originations.
Do you meet the criteria?
To set sail with one of Upstart's boat loans from their network of 100+ banks and credit unions, you'll need to meet certain criteria. Generally, a FICO or Vantage score of at least 580 (or 620, depending on your state) is required, and applications with bankruptcies or delinquent accounts probably will be rejected. Additionally, you must be at least 18, with a minimum annual income of $12,000, a personal US bank account, and either a full-time job, a job offer starting within 6 months, a regular part-time job, or another source of regular income.
Personal loans that can be used for boat purchases
Your loan is structured as a personal loan, so technically you can use it for whatever you like. You can borrow anywhere from $1,000 to $50,000, making Upstart an option for more budget-friendly watercraft (you'll need to look somewhere else if you've got your eye on that custom Feadship superyacht). However, state regulations may influence minimum and maximum loan limits. The loan terms typically span three or five years, and as of our latest evaluation, the APRs were very competitive. One last note: if you live in Iowa or West Virginia, you unfortunately won't qualify to borrow money through Upstart.
Next-day funding is possible
Upstart's application process is efficient, taking you just 5-10 minutes to input basic details like your name, address, income, employment, and educational background. Fortunately, this process won't impact your credit score as Upstart performs a "soft" credit check. Within minutes of applying, you may receive loan offers, and upon accepting the terms, your funds could be in your bank account as soon as the next business day.
You may pay origination fees
When reviewing loan offers, be mindful of origination fees, which can range from 0% to 8%, depending on your state. Also, watch out for any late payment or check-bouncing fees. Fortunately, Upstart welcomes early loan repayments and extra payments.
Solid reputation
Upstart has an outstanding reputation, with an "A+" BBB rating and accreditation, accompanied by minimal complaints. Over 45,000 Trustpilot reviews paint an equally positive picture, with an almost flawless average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars. Many clients return to Upstart for their lending needs, and funds are promptly deposited upon accepting the loan terms - a process that many complete using their smartphones.
A couple of drawbacks
We did notice a couple of drawbacks to using Upstart for boat loans. First off, they're obviously not a marine-focused lending option. That isn't a huge disadvantage necessarily, but it keeps them from offering you anything that might be more specific to boating needs. You also see that reflected in their upper limits for lending amounts; they even come in a little lower than several other non-boating-specific financing options we evaluated (some rivals offer up to $100,000, even though those loans are also structured as a personal loan). And, some competitors even offer no-fee loans.
Better than most
Upstart deserves a high rating among boat loan choices. As long as you're looking at a vessel that's $50,000 or less (or you're making a down payment that means you only need to borrow that much), Upstart's perks earn it consideration for your next marine loan.
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Where Can You Get the Best Boat Loans?
For many, nothing compares to the feel of a boat on the open lake or ocean waters. Boating embodies a deep-seated connection with the elements, a sense of adventure, and a unique lifestyle that captivates people around the world. Boats offer a retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, whether you like to escape to serene waters and relax, or explore hidden coves and coastlines.
To help people achieve owning the boat of their dreams, many companies now offer boat loans through online applications. The surge in popularity of online boat loans is dur to a number of factors. All of these can work together to help you qualify for a boat loan sooner and easier than ever before.
Boat Loan FAQ
Continued from above...
One key driver why online boat loans are so popular is the unparalleled convenience they offer. Today's consumer value efficiency and simplicity in their lives. Online boat loans provide a streamlined application process, allowing borrowers to complete the entire transaction from the comfort of their homes. Gone are the days of cumbersome paperwork and time-consuming visits to brick-and-mortar banks or other lending institutions.
Another thing that sets online boat loans apart is the speed of approval and disbursement of funds. Traditional lending often involved lengthy approval processes, causing delays that could hinder the timely purchase of a boat. Online lenders leverage technology to expedite the approval process, letting you receive a quick decision on your loan - and get quick access to your funds.
Securing a boat loan involves navigating through various financial waters, understanding the intricacies of marine financing, and ensuring a smooth sail towards ownership. Whether you're dreaming of a luxurious yacht or a modest fishing boat, here's what you need to know as you explore the world of boat loans.
Boat loans are specialized loans designed to finance the purchase of a boat. They function similarly to auto loans, with the boat itself often serving as collateral to get you a lower interest rate (a secured boat loan). Lenders assess your credit score, income, debt-to-income ratio, and the type of boat you're purchasing when determining your eligibility. A higher credit score usually results in better loan terms, including lower interest rates.
Lenders offer fixed or variable interest rates, and the loan term can range from a few years to more extended periods. Longer loan terms can result in lower monthly payments but may lead to higher overall interest payments. Shorter terms may mean higher monthly payments but lower overall costs. Also, many lenders may require a down payment, usually ranging from 10% to 20% of the boat's purchase price. A larger down payment can lead to better loan terms and increased chances of loan approval.
Beyond the loan amount, you should consider other costs associated with boat ownership, such as insurance, maintenance, storage, and docking fees. These should be factored into your budget to ensure a realistic financial plan.
The boat loan application process involves submitting personal and financial information, including proof of income and credit history. Be prepared to provide details about the boat you intend to purchase, including its make, model, and purchase price. And, if your boat is in the $200K+ range, you'll likely need a boat inspection called a "marine survey”: similar to the inspection that's required on a home prior to qualifying for a mortgage, your lender will want to know that the vessel is seaworthy before approving the purchase.
The good news is that most of this can be done online. You've got an ocean of opportunities out there as you work to get the seafaring vessel of your dreams, and all it takes is a few clicks to find your financing.
What should you look for as you decide where to apply for a boat loan? Keep these things in mind:
- Loan structure. Is the boat loan set up specifically for boats (which is often more like a traditional auto loan), or is it a personal loan? Personal loans tend to have much higher interest rates. Also, be sure to note whether it's an unstructured (not secured by collateral) or structured (secured by collateral) loan: if you default on your payments, you will lose whatever you used to secure that loan (like the boat itself). Do you need to make a down payment?
- Rates and fees. How much will your monthly payments be? How long is the loan term? What fees are charged beyond interest (like origination fees, processing fees, and so on)?
- Available loan amount. How much does the lender let applicants borrow? Is it enough to cover the full amount for the boat you're hoping to buy? How long will it take to get the funds if you're approved?
- Reputation. What have other boat owners said about the lender? Were there any (unpleasant) surprises at any point of the application process or after the loan was funded? Has the Better Business Bureau given the lender a favorable rating?
Securing a boat loan requires careful consideration of your financial situation, the type of boat you want, and the terms offered by lenders. To help you on your quest, the experts at Top Consumer Reviews have evaluated and ranked some of today's most popular sources of boat loans. By navigating these waters thoughtfully, you can set sail on your maritime adventure with confidence and financial peace of mind.
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