Charter Boat Finance

Best Charter Vessel Business Finance Rates UK October 2026

Nine specialist lenders compared for yacht charter, RIB charter, fishing charter, and sailing fleet finance.

Rates updated October 2026

All Charter Vessel Business Lenders Compared - October 2026

Lender	Type	Rate	Amount	LTV	Term	Best For
Close Brothers	HP/Fleet Lease	7–11%	£50k–£3m	80%	10yr	Large fleets, max LTV
Lombard	Fleet Lease	6–10.5%	£500k+	80%	12yr	Large fleets, longest term
Shawbrook	Secured	7.5–13%	£75k–£1m	75%	7yr	Seasonal, complex revenue
Nucleus	Revenue/Asset	8–15%	£25k–£500k	70%	5yr	Early stage, revenue-based
Hampshire Trust	Secured	7.5–12.5%	£150k–£2m	80%	10yr	Luxury charter, fleet
Paragon	Secured Loan	7–12%	£75k–£1.5m	75%	8yr	Mid-market, fishing charter
Ultimate Finance	HP/Lease	8–14%	£25k–£500k	70%	5yr	Start-up, small fleet
NatWest	Commercial Loan	5.5–9.5%	£500k+	80%	12yr	Largest fleets, cheapest rate
Arkle Finance	HP/Lease	7–12%	£30k–£750k	75%	7yr	Mid-market, fast decisions

Rates indicative for October 2026. Final rate subject to underwriting.

Cheapest for Small Charter Fleets (Under £500k)

For charter businesses requiring under £500k, the most competitive lenders by rate are Close Brothers (from 7%) and Arkle Finance (from 7%). Both offer 75–80% LTV and decent terms. Shawbrook is a strong option from 7.5% where a secured loan structure suits the business better than HP. Nucleus and Ultimate Finance are the go-to lenders for early-stage charter businesses or where fast decisions are needed.

Best for Large Charter Fleet Finance (£500k+)

For significant fleet investments of £500,000 or more, the strongest options are NatWest (from 5.5%) and Lombard (from 6%), both with 12-year terms and 80% LTV. Close Brothers can go to £3m with 80% LTV and 10 years. Hampshire Trust offers up to £2m at 80% LTV over 10 years. For the largest transactions, a combination of lenders may provide the most efficient structure.

Best for Revenue-Based Underwriting

Nucleus Commercial Finance leads on revenue-based underwriting, accepting charter platform data and management accounts rather than requiring 3 years of filed accounts. Shawbrook also has strong capability in cashflow-based underwriting for seasonal charter businesses. Both can accommodate operators who are growing rapidly and whose filed accounts understate current trading performance.

Lender rate pages

Each lender's full criteria, rates and our verdict for this vessel type, October 2026.

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FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Which lender has the cheapest charter vessel business finance rate?

NatWest Commercial Banking has the lowest starting rate at 5.5%, followed by Lombard at 6%. However, both require minimum facilities of £500,000 and strong trading histories. For smaller charter businesses, Close Brothers and Arkle Finance from 7% offer competitive rates with lower minimums of £50k and £30k respectively.

Which lender is best for large charter fleet finance?

For large fleet transactions (£500k+), Lombard (6%, 12yr, 80% LTV) and NatWest (5.5%, 12yr, 80% LTV) offer the best combination of rate and term. Close Brothers (up to £3m) and Hampshire Trust (up to £2m) are strong alternatives with more accessible underwriting.

Which lender is best for revenue-based underwriting?

Nucleus Commercial Finance is the most explicitly revenue-based lender in our charter panel, accepting booking platform data as primary underwriting evidence - particularly useful for growing charter businesses where filed accounts lag behind true trading performance. Shawbrook also has strong capability in seasonal revenue underwriting.

Can I get charter vessel finance without 2 years of accounts?

Yes. Nucleus Commercial Finance and Ultimate Finance have more appetite for early-stage charter businesses. A higher deposit (typically 30–35%) and detailed business plan with confirmed forward bookings are required. RYA or MCA qualifications and relevant charter experience are also important supporting factors.

Does Doulton Bridging Finance charge a fee for charter vessel finance broking?

No. We do not charge borrower fees for charter vessel business finance broking. Our remuneration is paid by the lender on completion of the facility. You get access to the full nine-lender charter vessel panel at no cost to you.

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Asset finance for business purposes is not regulated by the FCA. Rates shown are indicative as at October 2026 and depend on credit profile, term, vessel and deposit. We act as a credit broker, not a lender. Your vessel may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments.