Boat Financing 101

Why should you be thinking about boating during the dead of winter? There are a lot of reasons, beyond just brightening those cold days with daydreams of warm, sunny days on the water. One is that boat show season is coming soon, and with it the opportunity to take advantage of the best deals of the year. Shows are perfectly timed to get buyers into their dream boat just in time for the coming boating season. You can even take advantage of perks and incentives that makes buying early worthwhile.

If you are contemplating the purchase of a new boat, there is one final step in the process that is easily overlooked. This can happen when you go to the back office and enter the door marked “Finance.” It can be downright intimidating when the finance manager comes into the picture with a calculator and stack of loan paperwork.

Avoid sensory overload on the boat show floor or in the finance office by planning ahead. Our website has helpful information you can use to make confident buying decisions. Check out our 5 Boat Buying Tips section at the conclusion of these tips for more resources.

Financing 101
If you will apply for financing consider these steps.

• Check your free credit score with the three national bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion). Your credit score can make a difference in financing options. Also know that when a lender checks your credit score it can drop a few points.
• Calculate the down payment amount you can afford. Most lenders will ask for at least 10% of the loan amount.
• Determine the amount you can allocate for monthly payments from your budget.
• Compare loan offers. Just to get this part out of the way, you might be tempted to give in to what is offered by the dealership. Check your options from other financial lending institutions.
• Get pre-approval. If you use an outside lender, a pre-approval letter gives you—and the dealership—the confidence and commitment that you are a serious buyer.
• Know the payoff terms. Typically, lenders will reserve the longer terms of 180 or 240 months for boat loans of $25,000 or more. Longer terms mean lower monthly payments for any given purchase price. Something to keep in mind, though, is that the longer the term of the loan, the longer it will take for you to gain equity in your purchase. Over the long term you might pay more for interest than the boat.
• What else can I finance? If using a lender specializing in boat loans, you will have the opportunity to consider the inclusion of optional products or services. Those can include accessories, extended service and payment protection plans. The benefit of such plans extends for several years, so it might make sense to include them in the loan for a very small increase in the monthly payment.

Don’t forget about insurance
Oh yeah, that. In your monthly budget, you should factor in the insurance premium for your boat. Your existing auto policy might cover a grace period that allows you a day or two to switch your policy to the new ride after leaving the dealer. Not so with boats. You should have boat insurance before you leave the dealership. Proof of boating insurance is mandatory in many states, and it might be required by the lender. Some marinas even require proof of a policy for rental slips, and for you tournament anglers out there, many tournaments require coverage. There are two main options for insurance policies—a new policy, independent from any other insurance policy you have, or an umbrella policy, which is bundled with your homeowner’s insurance. There are minimum required coverage areas, including liability to others, medical payments, damages, wreck removal and medical expenses for towed water-skiers. Remember, you want to be sure the cost of your boat is covered, as well as any injuries to you or other boaters and any personal items you have on the boat, e.g., watersports or fishing equipment.

Choose financing wisely
You have many options for financing. Your bank is only one of them. Another alternative is a credible lender specializing in boat loans. Benefits include purchasing factory-backed extended service plans and other loan protection products not offered by banks. When you do business at a Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s Boating Center you can finance your boat through White River Financial Services, a market leader for boat loans. In operation since 1984, White River Financial Services loan processors have provided financial services specially designed for the marine and outdoor industries. With access to the best national and regional lenders across the country, loan processors are dedicated to helping you obtain the right loan quickly and easily.  

5 Boat Buying Tips
Here you will find expert advice from us on how to begin your boat buying experience, just like you would experience a day at the lake, i.e., in a fun, stress free environment and most of all, with a smile on your face as you take the keys to your dream boat. 

Smart Buy In Boating
Avoid being overwhelmed by working with a dealership where financing is part of a no-stress buying experience. You can do that at Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s Boating Centers, where you will be introduced to the NO HAGGLE NO HASSLE art of boat buying. Our in-house financial services team continues the good vibes of owning a boat from us.

Answers From A Sales Consultant
Meet Danyeal O’Brien, a Certified Sales Consultant at the Bass Pro Shops Boating Center in Springfield, MO. Her inside insight can help guide you along before you even visit the showroom for the first time.

First Time Boat Buyers Questions
If you are considering buying your first boat, you may be looking for ideas to help you get the most from your time on the water. Here are five frequently asked questions on the subject from first-time boat buyers and helpful answers!

Boat Show 101
Avoid sensory overload when you are walking the boat show floor with these tips on how to make the most of your experience. 

New vs Used Boats
Buy new or used? Both are worth considering when boat shopping—especially for first-time buyers. Of course, everyone wants a new boat. Even if your budget favors new, though, there are good reasons to consider pre-owned. Is new for you? Or is pre-owned more your style? Let this article help guide you toward the right decision. 

Do you find yourself daydreaming about boating in the dead of winter? If you’re suffering from cabin fever, a cure awaits you at a boat show. The best news? There’s likely a show coming to a city near you in the coming months.

Life is good. You have just decided to buy a new TAHOE sport boat. There it sits in the showroom, ready to be all yours. You envision warm, sunny days on the water with the family in the boat of your dreams. There is nothing left to do but give the nod to the sales consultant and close the deal, right?