Nucleus Charter Vessel Rates October 2026

Nucleus Commercial Finance - Charter Vessel Business Finance Overview

Nucleus Commercial Finance is a key lender on the Doulton Bridging Finance panel for charter vessel business and fleet finance. Their revenue-based + asset structures are designed for commercial charter operators - yacht charter fleets, RIB charter businesses, speedboat hire, fishing charter, dive charter, motor launch charter, and sailing charter operations across the UK.

For October 2026, Nucleus is offering rates from 8–15% on charter vessel business finance, with facilities from £25k–£500k, maximum LTV of 70%, and terms up to 5yr. These are indicative rates - final terms are subject to underwriting and your specific circumstances.

Charter vessel business finance differs fundamentally from leisure marine finance. Lenders assess applications on the revenue-generating capacity of the charter business, charter contracts, booking data, and DSCR - not on personal income. Doulton Bridging Finance specialises in presenting charter business cases to lenders in a way that maximises approval rates and negotiates the best possible terms.

Nucleus Commercial Finance Charter Vessel Business Finance Rates - October 2026

Product	Rate	Facility Amount	Max LTV	Max Term
Revenue-Based + Asset	8–15%	£25k–£500k	70%	5yr

Rates correct October 2026. Indicative only - final rate subject to credit and underwriting assessment. Representative examples available on request.

Strengths of Nucleus for Charter Vessel Finance

Unique revenue-based underwriting capability - can consider charter booking platform revenue without 3 years of accounts
Fastest decisions in our charter panel - 24–48 hours for applications under £150k
Low minimum of £25k suits individual vessel acquisitions for growing charter businesses
Open to early-stage and start-up charter operators where other lenders require longer track record

Limitations to Consider

Maximum £500k limits applicability for larger fleet transactions
Maximum 5-year term means higher monthly payments than longer-term lenders
Higher rate ceiling of 15% for early-stage businesses increases total cost of finance

Is Nucleus Right for My Charter Vessel Finance?

Ideal for newer charter businesses (under 2 years trading), growing operators adding a single vessel to an existing fleet, or operators who prefer a fast decision. Also a strong option for charter businesses whose accountant-filed accounts don't reflect the true strength of their Airbnb-style charter platform revenue.

If you are unsure whether Nucleus is the right fit for your charter vessel finance, our team at Doulton Bridging Finance will assess your case and identify the most appropriate lender or combination of lenders. We work across the full charter vessel panel simultaneously to ensure you get the best available terms.

Compare All Charter Vessel Business Lenders

We work with nine specialist lenders for charter vessel business and fleet finance. View the full comparison:

Or see our best charter vessel business finance rates comparison page.

Frequently asked questions

Can Nucleus use Airbnb or GetMyBoat charter platform revenue in underwriting?

Yes. This is one of Nucleus's most distinctive features. Their underwriters can use platform revenue data - booking confirmations, payout histories from charter platforms - as a primary underwriting data source, particularly useful for businesses whose filed accounts lag behind the actual trading strength.

How quickly can Nucleus approve charter vessel finance?

For applications under £150,000 with a clean credit profile, Nucleus aims for a credit decision within 24–48 hours. Drawdown following approval and documentation is typically achievable within 3–5 working days. For larger applications, allow 5–7 working days for full underwriting.

Will Nucleus finance a start-up yacht charter business?

Nucleus has more appetite for start-up charter businesses than most of our panel lenders. They will typically require a detailed business plan, evidence of pre-bookings or charter contracts, the applicant's relevant maritime qualifications, and personal financial statements. A higher deposit (30–35%) may be required for start-up cases.

Does Nucleus require MCA coding for charter vessel finance?

Yes, for vessels carrying passengers commercially. Nucleus requires the vessel to hold current appropriate MCA coding (Cat 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 depending on operating area) and commercial marine insurance before drawdown.

Can I use Nucleus for fleet finance covering multiple charter vessels?

Nucleus can approve separate facilities for individual vessels up to £500,000 each, but their appetite for complex multi-vessel portfolio structures is more limited than Close Brothers or Hampshire Trust. For fleets above 3–4 vessels, we would typically recommend a different lead lender with Nucleus as a possible secondary funder.

Nucleus Commercial Finance Charter Vessel Business Finance Rates October 2026