National Direct Finance — Boat & Marine Finance

Boat & marine finance.

From a first tinnie to a serious cruiser — boats, outboards, jet skis and trailers. A Melbourne broker comparing a lender panel that includes marine specialists.

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Calculators

Individual - Know your personal lending power

What we finance

Boat, jet ski & marine finance

New or used, dealer or private sale.

Boat & marine finance

Boats, outboards & jet skis, sorted

Marine finance works a little differently to car loans, and not every lender wants to look at boats. Our panel includes lenders who do, so you're not forced into the wrong product.

Get a marine estimate →
  • Boats, outboards, jet skis and trailers
  • New or used vessels
  • Specialist marine lenders on our panel
  • Dealer or private sale

How boat finance works

Most boat loans are secured against the vessel. You borrow the purchase price, repay over an agreed term, and the lender holds security over the boat until the loan is cleared. Terms are often longer than for a car because boats are higher-value assets, and some lenders allow a balloon payment to reduce the regular repayment.

Valuations, surveys and insurance

For higher-value or older vessels, lenders may ask for a valuation or a marine survey before settlement. Secured lenders typically also require the vessel to be comprehensively insured, with the lender's interest noted on the policy. We'll tell you up front what applies to the boat you're looking at, so there are no surprises late in the process.

Buying privately

Many boats change hands privately. As with other assets, the lender will normally run a PPSR (Personal Property Securities Register) check to confirm there's no money owing, and will want to see details such as the hull identification number and registration. Check with us before you commit to a deposit.

What lenders look at

What affects your approval

Your income & expenses

Repayments need to sit comfortably against your living costs and existing commitments.

The vessel

Age, type, value and whether it comes with a trailer all affect which lenders are suitable.

Credit history

Your credit file affects the lenders and rates available — we match you to lenders who fit your profile.

Finance is subject to lender assessment, eligibility criteria and lending limits. This page is general information only and is not financial or tax advice. Based in Hawthorn, Melbourne, we arrange finance for customers across Victoria and Australia-wide.

More finance options
Why National Direct Finance

Our loyalty is to you, not a lender

Unbiased panel

We're not tied to one bank — we compare and negotiate across our full lender panel for your situation.

Real experience

Decades in finance and automotive means we know which lender fits your circumstances, not just the lowest headline rate.

Straight answers

Best rate doesn't always mean best deal. We explain the trade-offs so you're not caught out later.

Reviews

What our customers say

Real reviews from Google — read them all here.

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Our lenders

Access to Australia's leading lenders

Process

How it works

1

Tell us what you need

A quick chat or online form — no obligation, no credit score impact.

2

We compare the panel

We match your situation against lenders best suited to it, not just the biggest name.

3

You apply, we handle it

We guide the application and settlement so there's no guesswork on your end.

4

Ongoing support

We're here for the life of the loan, not just the sale.

Ready to get finance sorted?

Get a no-obligation estimate — takes a couple of minutes online, or call us directly.

FAQ

Common questions

Can I finance a used boat? ⌄

Yes. Many lenders will finance used vessels, although age limits and requirements such as a valuation or survey vary. Tell us the make, model and year and we'll check who can help.

Can I get finance for a jet ski? ⌄

Yes. Jet skis (personal watercraft) can be financed, often together with a trailer. Terms depend on the lender and the age of the craft.

Do I need a deposit for boat finance? ⌄

It depends on the lender, the vessel and your circumstances. A deposit can broaden your options and reduce repayments, and we'll explain what's needed for your case.

Can I finance a boat bought from a private seller? ⌄

Yes, although the lender will usually run a PPSR check and may require extra checks on the vessel before settlement.

Does the boat need to be insured? ⌄

For secured finance, lenders generally require comprehensive insurance for the life of the loan. We'll confirm the specific requirements for your lender.