Boat Loans & Marine Finance

Whether you're after your first tinnie, upgrading to a cabin cruiser, or adding a vessel to a commercial operation, the right boat finance makes it possible. Treadgold Finance arranges boat loans for new and used boats, jet skis and boat trailers for clients across the Sunshine Coast and Australia-wide. As an FBAA-accredited broker with access to 40+ lenders, including specialist marine lenders, we compare the market and find the loan that suits your situation.

A boat loan is usually a secured loan, with the vessel itself as the security, which is why lenders can often offer better terms than an unsecured personal loan. You borrow the purchase price (or part of it), repay it in regular instalments over an agreed term, and own the boat outright once it's paid off. For a plain-English walkthrough from application to settlement, see our guide to how boat finance works.

Dealer purchase, boat show or private sale, we can usually arrange finance for all three. Private sales involve a few extra checks, including confirming the seller's title and that no finance is owing on the vessel, and we handle those steps for you. Used and older boats are financed regularly too; lenders assess the age and condition of the vessel, which can affect the term and structure available. Many buyers ask how long you can finance a boat for, and the answer depends on the boat's age, the loan amount, and whether you'd rather lower repayments or pay it off sooner.

Some boat loans can be structured with a balloon payment, a lump sum at the end of the term that reduces your regular repayments. Our explainer on balloon payments sets out how that works and when it makes sense. We also help you factor in the real cost of ownership, mooring, marina fees, insurance and maintenance, so your boat loan stays comfortable long-term. If you already have marine finance in place, we can look at refinancing it to see whether better terms are available.

Boat finance is available to working Australians with an established income, whether full-time, part-time or self-employed, and ABN holders are welcome. Applicants are generally Australian citizens or permanent residents, and loans are available for vessels from around $10,000. If you're weighing up other purchases as well, we can help with caravan loans and equipment finance, and our guide to asset finance explains how this kind of secured lending fits together.

1. Tell us about you and the boat

We start with the boat you're after, whether that's a runabout, cruiser, yacht or jet ski, new or used, dealer or private sale, and how you'll use it. That shapes which lenders are the best fit from the outset.

2. Checking your borrowing position

We look at your income, current commitments and a few personal details to work out how much you can comfortably borrow. For PAYG workers it's straightforward. For self-employed buyers and ABN holders, we can use tax returns or low-doc options. We're upfront about what's realistic before any application goes anywhere.

3. Comparing lenders and options

With your position established, we compare boat finance across our panel of 40+ lenders, weighing the rate against fees, term and each lender's appetite for the type of boat you're buying. You'll get a shortlist with a clear recommendation and the reasoning behind it.

4. Getting pre-approval

Once you've chosen a direction, we submit for pre-approval so you know how much you can spend and can negotiate with confidence, whether at a dealer or a private sale. Pre-approval typically takes 24 to 48 hours for a straightforward application.

5. Submitting the application

Once you've found your boat and signed the contract of sale, we submit the formal application with the invoice, ID and final paperwork, and manage the back-and-forth with the lender and seller.

6. Settlement

On approval, the lender pays the seller directly and you take delivery. We'll walk you through the loan agreement, your first repayment date and any insurance requirements before you sign.

7. After-settlement support

We stay your point of contact for refinancing down the track, financing an upgrade, or your next boat. No starting from scratch.