Boat Loan Calculator Amortization Schedule

Boat loan calculator with amortization schedule is used to calculate monthly payment and generates a boat loan amortization schedule. The boat loan calculator has options for trade in, sales tax, extra payments, biweekly and monthly months.

What is a boat loan?

A boat loan is a loan that a borrower gets to finance the purchase of a boat. He receives a lump sum payment from the lender to buy a boat he otherwise may not afford, and pay the lender back in installment which is very similar to an auto loan. Once the borrower is approved for the boat loan, he is required to pay fixed monthly payments until the loan is paid in full. The interest rate is determined by one's credit score, the size of the loan, and the terms. Borrowers with a high credit score will get a lower interest rate. The length of the boat loan can be anywhere from 5 to 20 years. It depends on the lender and the borrower's ability to pay back. Higher loan sizes usually require a longer term, but may also come with higher interest and higher down payment. The typical down payment required by lenders ranges from 10% to 30%. With a longer term, the borrower would pay less each month but would end up paying more in interest, whereas a boat loan with a shorter term means a higher monthly payment but the borrower saves in interest.

How do boat loans work?

A boat loan works just like a car loan except that the terms are usually longer because boats are more expensive than cars. If you have ever financed a car, you know exactly how it works. A boat loan can be fixed interest or variable interest, but most people choose a fixed interest as it is safer and gives the borrowers peace of mind. A fixed interest rate means the borrower pays the same amount each month. With a variable interest, borrowers usually pay a lower introductory interest rate initially, and then the rate fluctuates based on the interest rate index. The variable rate is good only when the interest rate is declining. However, nobody can predict how the interest rate would go in the future, therefore, it is much safer to lock in a fixed rate.

Secured vs. unsecured boat loans

A boat loan can be secured or unsecured. The interest rate is lower for secured boat loans, but collateral is required which would be the boat itself. If the borrower stops making payments, the bank or lender would take the boat. If the borrower doesn't want to lose his boat, he may consider an unsecured boat loan, in which case the lender has no right to take his boat if the borrower defaults. However, to justify the extra risk, lenders charge a higher interest rate for unsecured boat loans. For borrowers with a high credit score, unsecured boat loans might be worth a shot. On other hand, if the borrower is strong financially and knows that he won't be missing any payments, then go for the secured boat loans.

How to apply for a boat loan?

Borrowers can apply for a boat loan with their local bank, credit union, dealership, and online lenders. There are pros and cons of applying for a boat loan with these institutions. Online lenders are the most convenient option, but they may not get all your questions answered. Dealership financing usually charges a higher interest rate so that they can make a profit. The bank might be the best option as they generally offer competitive rates for boat loans. Borrowers should shop around between different lenders and find one with the lowest interest rate and fees. Most lenders require borrowers to submit documents about their employment and income to determine if they qualify. What they want to know is if the borrower is able to pay them back. Lenders check the borrower's credit score to determine what kind of interest rate they will be getting. Borrowers with a low credit score will end up paying thousands more on their loans. Therefore, it is important for us to be responsible with our credit card bills and build a high credit score. A high credit score can save us tens of thousands of dollars if we ever need to apply for other types of loans, such as a home mortgage.

Do boat loans require a down payment?

Most lenders require down payments for boat loans. The typical down payment can be anywhere from 10% to 20%. Borrowers have the option to put down even more if they can afford to reduce their monthly payments, the loan term, or both. Borrowers who want to purchase a boat should save a good portion before applying for a boat loan.

How long can you finance a boat?

You can finance a boat loan for as long as 20 years. However, lenders may charge higher interest for boat loans with very long terms or require a sizable down payment. Borrowers should do some comparisons between lenders and confirm with the lender to see how long they can finance your boat loan and what kind of interest rate they offer.

Are boat loans secured loans?

Boat loans can be both secured and unsecured. In a secured boat loan, the boat will be used as collateral for the loan. If the borrower defaults, the boat will be taken by the lender. For unsecured boat loans, the interest rate would be higher since the lenders are taking more risks.

How to use the boat loan calculator?

Boat Price - the selling price of the boat Down Payment - how much down payment the borrower is putting down Loan Amount - the amount to borrow from the lender Loan Terms - the number of years to repay the loan Interest Rate - the fixed interest rate that the lender charges Payment Frequency - the default payment is monthly. You can choose biweekly if your boat loan is on biweekly. Trade In Value - if the borrower has an old boat to trade in Sales Tax - the sales tax for the boat Other Fees - are there any other fees that the borrower needs to pay, such as application fees and closing fees? Amortization Schedule - option to view the boat amortization schedule monthly or by year. Extra Payments - if the borrower wants to pay off his boat loan faster, he can choose to make extra payments toward the principal. The boat loan calculator has multiple extra payment options that you can calculate, one-time lump sum or recurring extra payments toward principal.