Classic Boat Finance Lender Rates - October 2026
Compare rates and criteria from every lender available for classic and vintage vessel finance. Specialists offer 75% LTV on pre-1980 craft including timber hulls; institutional lenders provide the most competitive floor rates for clean-credit applicants within tighter criteria.
Pegasus Marine Finance
Classic vessel specialist - pre-1980 vessels accepted 7.9%–13.9% APR | Up to 75% LTV | 15 years
Rankin Finance
Accepts classic and vintage, including pre-1970 vessels 8.5%–15.5% APR | Up to 75% LTV | 15 years
Close Brothers Classic Boat Finance
Survey required; lower LTV; better rates for strong profiles 7.2%–12.5% APR | Up to 65% LTV | 10 years
Together Money Classic Boat Finance
Flexible credit criteria; higher minimum advance 7.9%–13.2% APR | Up to 70% LTV | 10 years
Shawbrook Classic Boat Finance
Conservative LTV; shorter terms; established institutional lender 8.5%–14.5% APR | Up to 60% LTV | 7 years
Compass Finance (Specialist Classic Marine)
Specialist classic boat lender - alongside Pegasus 8.2%–14.9% APR | Up to 75% LTV | 15 years
United Trust Bank Classic Boat Finance
Strong institutional option; competitive rates; 65% LTV 7.8%–13.5% APR | Up to 65% LTV | 10 years
Guides & Resources
Best Classic Boat Finance Rates - October 2026
Full market comparison table across all 7 lenders - find the best rate for your vessel and profile.
How to Finance a Classic or Vintage Vessel
What lenders look for, survey requirements, LTV limits, eligibility checklist, and a worked example.
Financing a Classic Boat Restoration and Refit
Phased drawdown, post-restoration refinancing, yard selection - complete guide with £95,000 motor cruiser example.
Why Classic Vessel Finance Requires a Specialist Broker
The classic boat lending market is small, specialist, and significantly more nuanced than mainstream marine finance. Only a handful of UK lenders will consider pre-1980 vessels - and within that group, criteria vary substantially by hull material, vessel age, survey condition, and borrower profile. Approaching lenders directly, or through a broker without specific classic boat experience, risks declined applications, wasted survey costs, and unnecessary credit footprint.
Doulton Bridging Finance accesses the full classic boat lending market - including Pegasus Marine Finance, Rankin Finance and Compass Finance (the three dedicated classic specialists), plus Close Brothers, United Trust Bank, Shawbrook and Together Money where appropriate. We present your enquiry to the most suitable lenders simultaneously, with a professionally prepared application that addresses the specific concerns each lender's underwriters will focus on.
A professional marine survey by an accredited YDSA or RYA-affiliated surveyor is the foundation of any classic boat finance application. For timber vessels, a specialist wooden boat surveyor is also required. We can advise on survey commissioning as part of our service.
Overview
Classic and vintage boat finance requires lenders willing to assess vessels on their individual merits rather than applying standard age restrictions. Most mainstream marine HP providers will not consider craft over 25 years old; specialist lenders take a fundamentally different approach.
Specialist lenders such as First Marine Finance assess classic vessels on a bespoke basis - considering the vessel's condition, provenance, documentation and survey value rather than its age alone. Rates are typically higher than for new production vessels (reflecting perceived resale risk) but finance is achievable on the right case.
Doulton Bridging Finance has experience in arranging finance for wooden yachts, classic motor launches, period speedboats (Riva, Fairey, Saunders-Roe) and vintage working craft. Each case is presented individually to specialist lenders, with a detailed narrative explaining the vessel's background and value.
Key Features
Bespoke Valuation
Classic vessels are assessed on a specialist independent valuation rather than standard depreciation models. Provenance and condition are key.
Wooden Hull Accepted
Many standard lenders decline wooden-hulled vessels. Our specialist panel includes lenders experienced in timber construction and the associated survey requirements.
Vintage Speedboats
Finance available for Riva, Fairey Swordsman, Gentleman's launch and similar period craft. Each case assessed individually.
Period Motor Launches
Classic river launches, motor yachts and gentleman's cruisers assessed by surveyors experienced in period vessel construction.