Charter Boat Finance
Finance for charter boats and charter fleet additions - bareboat sailing yachts, skippered motor yachts, RIB charter, and passenger vessels. Specialist marine lenders who understand charter income, MCA coding requirements, and the seasonal nature of charter revenue.
The right structure for every charter boat requirement
Bareboat Charter Yacht Finance
Finance for sailing yachts and catamarans added to a bareboat charter fleet. Bavaria, Beneteau, Jeanneau, Lagoon, and Fountaine Pajot are the dominant charter fleet brands. Specialist lenders who understand charter yield and seasonal income.
Skippered Charter Motor Yacht Finance
Finance for motor yachts used in skippered charter. MCA coding requirements (MCA Cat 2 or 3) must be in place before commercial operation. Finance for the vessel alone or alongside refit costs.
Passenger Vessel & Day Charter Finance
Finance for day charter vessels and passenger excursion boats. MCA passenger vessel coding, insurance, and licencing requirements addressed - specialist lenders who understand day charter income.
RIB & Powerboat Charter Finance
Finance for commercially coded RIBs and powerboats used in watersports instruction, safety cover, and commercial charter operations.
Charter Fleet Addition Finance
Finance for operators adding vessels to an established fleet. Fleet track record and existing charter income demonstrably support new vessel applications. Specialist lenders recognise established charter operators.
Seasonal Income Structuring
Charter income is seasonal - peak summer revenues, low winter income. Specialist marine commercial lenders structure repayment schedules around the charter season rather than demanding equal monthly payments.
How it works
Vessel and charter details
Vessel type, MCA coding status, charter area, bareboat or skippered, existing charter income, and operator track record.
Commercial lender sourcing
Commercial charter vessel lenders from our panel. Charter finance takes slightly longer than leisure - indicative terms within 48-72 hours.
Income assessment
Charter projections or track record reviewed alongside the vessel survey. Specialist lenders assess the charter business viability alongside the asset value.
Completion
Commercial marine finance documentation and security registration.
Ready to discuss Charter Boat Finance?
Call 0204 6211776 or complete our enquiry form. Indicative terms typically within hours.
Business Finance for UK Charter Vessel Operators
Charter vessel operators need commercial business finance - not leisure marine finance. Whether you run a sailing yacht charter fleet out of the Solent, a RIB charter business on the Scottish coast, a fishing charter operation in Cornwall, or a speedboat hire company on the Thames, your vessels are commercial assets that generate business income. Lenders treat them accordingly: underwriting is based on charter revenue, business accounts, forward bookings, and DSCR ratios - not personal income.
Doulton Bridging Finance works with nine specialist lenders with demonstrable appetite for charter vessel business and fleet finance. Our panel covers the full range of charter vessel types, business sizes, and finance structures - from a single RIB purchase for a growing charter business to multi-million pound fleet finance for an established charter company.
Charter Vessel Business Finance - Lender Comparison Table
| Lender | Product | Rate | Amount | Max LTV | Max Term |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Close Brothers Business Finance | HP/Fleet Lease | 7–11% | £50k–£3m | 80% | 10yr |
| Lombard (NatWest Group) | Fleet Finance Lease | 6–10.5% | £500k+ | 80% | 12yr |
| Shawbrook Business Credit | Secured Loan | 7.5–13% | £75k–£1m | 75% | 7yr |
| Nucleus Commercial Finance | Revenue-Based + Asset | 8–15% | £25k–£500k | 70% | 5yr |
| Hampshire Trust Bank | Secured | 7.5–12.5% | £150k–£2m | 80% | 10yr |
| Paragon Bank | Secured Business Loan | 7–12% | £75k–£1.5m | 75% | 8yr |
| Ultimate Finance | HP/Lease | 8–14% | £25k–£500k | 70% | 5yr |
| NatWest Commercial Banking | Commercial Loan | 5.5–9.5% | £500k+ | 80% | 12yr |
| Arkle Finance | HP/Lease | 7–12% | £30k–£750k | 75% | 7yr |
All rates indicative for October 2026. Final rate subject to credit assessment. Contact us for a personalised illustration.
What Types of Charter Vessel Does This Finance Cover?
- Yacht charter fleets - sailing and motor yacht charter, bareboat and skippered operations
- RIB charter businesses - rigid inflatable boat charter, coastal and offshore
- Speedboat and motor launch hire - day boats, river charter, harbour tours
- Fishing charter boats - commercial angling trip vessels, wreck fishing, sea bass charter
- Dive charter vessels - SCUBA diving charter, snorkelling and marine experience
- Sailing charter fleets - keelboat, catamaran, and dinghy fleet operations
Why Charter Operators Need Business Finance
Charter vessels are commercial assets. They carry passengers for reward, generate business income, and are subject to MCA coding requirements, commercial insurance obligations, and business regulatory requirements. Leisure marine finance is designed for private individuals purchasing vessels for personal use - it is underwritten against personal income and typically breaches lender terms if the vessel is used commercially. Charter operators must use business finance.
Business charter finance is underwritten on: charter revenue and P&L accounts; DSCR (Debt Service Coverage Ratio - typically minimum 1.2x required); forward booking evidence; MCA coding certificates; commercial marine insurance; and the business's overall covenant strength and trading history.
Fleet Finance for Multiple Charter Vessels
Charter operators with multiple vessels benefit from fleet finance structures rather than separate individual loans. Portfolio or master facility arrangements allow you to:
- Finance all vessels under a single agreement for simplified administration
- Add new vessels to the facility as the fleet grows
- Remove vessels from security as they are sold or replaced
- Negotiate better overall terms based on aggregate fleet value
Close Brothers, Lombard, Hampshire Trust, and NatWest all offer fleet finance structures. Contact us to discuss the best approach for your fleet size and growth plans.
Charter Vessel Business Finance Guides
Frequently asked questions
Does MCA coding have to be in place before finance?
MCA Commercial Endorsement (Coding) should ideally be in place or the application in progress before finance completes. Lenders want confirmation the vessel can legally operate commercially before drawdown.
Can I use personal income alongside charter income for the application?
Yes - for owner-operator charter businesses, personal income, other business income, and charter projections are all assessed alongside the vessel value.
Is charter finance more expensive than leisure finance?
Commercial charter finance may attract slightly different rates than leisure finance, reflecting the commercial use and the additional lender assessment. The difference varies by lender and application quality.
Can I add a new vessel to my existing charter fleet?
Yes - established charter operators with documented income are among the strongest charter finance applicants. Track record carries significant weight with specialist commercial marine lenders.
Is VAT recoverable on a charter vessel?
VAT on a commercially operated charter vessel may be recoverable if the operator is VAT registered. This is a significant financial consideration - we recommend confirming the VAT position with a tax adviser before completion.
Why do charter operators need business finance rather than leisure marine finance?
Charter vessels are commercial assets generating income. Leisure marine finance is assessed against personal income and would typically breach the lender's terms if the vessel is used commercially. Charter business finance is underwritten on the basis of the charter revenue, DSCR, business accounts, and charter contracts - the appropriate product for any vessel operating commercially.
What MCA coding do charter vessels need for business finance?
The required MCA category depends on operating area. Cat 6 covers sheltered waters, Cat 5 inshore tidal, Cat 4 up to 20 miles from a safe haven, and Cat 2 up to 60 miles offshore. All lenders on our charter panel require appropriate current MCA coding before drawdown.
Can I get fleet finance for multiple charter vessels?
Yes. Close Brothers, Lombard, Hampshire Trust, and NatWest all offer fleet finance structures with capacity for multi-vessel transactions. These operate as portfolio facilities or master HP agreements covering all vessels in the fleet, simplifying administration and often improving overall terms.
What is the cheapest rate available for charter vessel business finance in October 2026?
NatWest offers the lowest entry rate at 5.5% and Lombard at 6%, but both require minimum facilities of £500k. For smaller charter businesses, Close Brothers and Arkle Finance start from 7% with lower minimums of £50k and £30k respectively.
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