Frequently asked questions

You have two easy options. Fill out our secure online application, or call us at 888-577-2280 and a Loan Consultant will walk you through it. If a dealer referred you, just type the dealer's name in the “Referred By” field on the application.

We pride ourselves on fast decisions. Once you apply, your Loan Consultant will reach out about next steps and any information still needed.

No. Vantage is a correspondent lender. Instead of lending directly, we look at your full financial profile and match you with the bank that will offer the best loan program for your specific financing needs. That lender makes the final approval and provides your rate and terms, and our team stays with you through closing.

Having a few basics ready makes the process smoother. Depending on your application, you may be asked for:

• Personal identification and contact information
• Employment and income details
• Housing information and your current monthly obligations
• Details about the boat or RV, the seller, the purchase price, and the amount you'd like to finance

If supporting documents are needed, you will send them through a link, which is protected with SSL security, rather than regular email. After you apply, your Loan Consultant will provide you with a link which goes directly into your file for the most secure method of sharing your documents. For a full walkthrough, see How to Finance a Boat: A Step-by-Step Guide.

We recommend it. Getting pre-approved before you shop shows you what you may qualify for, so you can focus on boats and RVs that fit your budget and shop with confidence. It also gives you stronger negotiating power, because you can make an offer knowing what you can afford.

Vantage only does a soft credit pull, which does not impact your credit score. Once we've matched you with a lender and you agree to submit your application to that lender for financing approval, the lender does a hard credit pull.

Through the banks Vantage Recreational Finance works with, extended terms are available up to 240 months, which is 20 years, on eligible boat and RV loans. The term a lender offers depends on your loan amount, the age and type of the boat or RV, and your credit profile. In general, longer terms tend to be matched with larger purchases.

Learn more in How Long Can You Finance a Boat or RV? Understanding 240-Month Loan Terms.

It can be, if a lower monthly payment is your priority and you've budgeted for the full cost of ownership. A longer term lowers your monthly payment and frees up room for fuel, storage, insurance, and maintenance. The trade-off is that you'll generally pay more interest over the life of the loan and build equity more slowly.

The best way to decide is to compare payments at a few different terms side by side. Most lenders do not charge prepayment penalties, so you can often pay extra toward principal when you're able. Always review the details of your lending agreement.

We match you with the lowest rates available based on your financial profile. Your actual rate is set by the lender and depends on your credit, the loan amount, the term, and the boat or RV you're financing, so the best way to see your rate is to apply.

To get a feel for monthly payments at different loan amounts and terms, try our Payment Calculator. Results are estimates only, not a quote or offer.

It's often possible. Vantage works with lenders that have programs for all credit levels, and we match you with the one that fits your situation, so it's worth asking what's available instead of assuming the answer is no. With less-than-perfect credit, your offer may look different, for example a higher rate, a larger down payment, a shorter term, or limits on the loan amount or the type or age of the unit. RV loans work much the same way.

For tips on improving your chances, read Can You Get a Boat Loan With Less-Than-Perfect Credit?

Your score matters, but it's not the whole story. Lenders generally consider:

• Credit history, including recent payment history
• Verifiable income, such as pay stubs, W-2s, or tax returns
• Income stability
• Down payment
• The boat or RV itself, including its price, age, condition, and type

Down payment requirements vary, and your Loan Consultant can speak to your unique needs. In general, putting more down lowers the amount you finance, which can help your application and reduce your monthly payment and total interest.

We arrange financing for all your marine and RV needs, new and used:

• Boats
• Yachts
• RVs
• Outboard engines

Not sure if your purchase qualifies? Call 888-577-2280 and ask. See What We Finance for details.

Yes. We work with lenders that finance new and used boats, RVs, and outboard engines. Banks typically offer their best programs on collateral no more than 20 years old, and some lenders will finance units up to 40 years old. Newer units are often eligible for longer terms than older ones. If you're looking at an older boat or RV, give us the year, make, and model up front so your Loan Consultant can tell you what's possible.

Yes. Vantage arranges financing for boats and RVs in all 50 states. Many customers work with us entirely by phone, even when the boat or RV is states away. Keep in mind that sales tax, titling, and registration rules vary by state, and tax is generally owed in the state where you register and keep the unit.

Read Buying a Boat From Out of State or a Private Seller before you buy.

Yes. Vantage works with lenders that finance private-party (consumer-to-consumer) loans. Call us at 888-577-2280 or apply online, and we'll match you with the right lender and tell you which documents your deal needs.

Our guide to buying from a private seller or out of state covers titles, liens, and what to look for.

In a private sale, you and the seller handle the paperwork a dealer would usually take care of. Plan on:

• The original title (or U.S. Coast Guard Certificate of Documentation for documented vessels), with the seller's name matching their ID
• A lien check. If a lender is listed, the existing loan must be paid off and the lien released.
• Matching numbers. The HIN on the hull, plus engine serial numbers and trailer VIN, should match the paperwork exactly. The last two digits of the HIN show the model year of the hull.
• A bill of sale. Some states have their own form or require notarization. Along with the bill of sale, provide clear pictures of the HIN and all applicable serial numbers.
• Your home state's title, registration, and sales tax rules. Trailers and outboards may need their own title or registration in some states.

The good news: Vantage handles the payoff on the collateral, so you don't have to coordinate the seller's existing loan on your own. In most states, our Premium Title Service handles the title and lienholder placement for you. Some states require the purchaser to complete this step in person, and if yours does, our Title Specialists will guide you through it.

We work to make closing as convenient as possible. Most loans close with electronic documents. Some lenders require wet-ink signatures, and sometimes a notary is required. Your Loan Consultant will give you the closing requirements for your specific loan. Before you sign, review your final documents carefully: borrower information, boat or RV details, rate, payment, term, fees, and total amount financed.

We're known for fast decisions. How quickly your loan funds depends on your application, the unit, and the paperwork involved, so having your documents ready and responding quickly to requests helps keep things moving.

We'd love to work with you. As a correspondent lender, Vantage looks at each customer's full financial profile and matches them with the bank offering the best loan program for their specific financing needs. Submit a Dealer Inquiry or call 888-577-2280, and a member of our Dealer Team will be in touch to go through the details with you. There is some dealer documentation to complete as part of getting set up. Vantage is a proud member of the National Marine Lenders Association (NMLA) and the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA).

Through our lending partners, we arrange financing for new and used boats, RVs, and outboard engines, with terms up to 240 months and the lowest rates available based on your financial profile. Banks typically offer their best programs on collateral no more than 20 years old, and some lenders will finance units up to 40 years old. Our lenders offer prime and secondary loans, programs for all credit levels, and private-party (consumer-to-consumer) loans, so you can send us customers across the credit spectrum. We arrange financing for boats and RVs in all 50 states, which helps when your buyer lives out of state. Pre-approval uses a soft credit pull that doesn't affect your customer's score.

Your dealership submits applications through its own unique application link, so every deal you send is tied to you. If a customer applies on their own through our online application or by phone at 888-577-2280, have them type your dealership's name in the “Referred By” field (or mention you on the call) so you get credit.

Yes. Our dealer portal, Vantage Trac, gives your dealership real-time visibility into the progress of your customers' loan applications, so you always know where each deal stands. Vantage Trac also lets you securely upload documents directly into the appropriate records. Approved dealers can sign in through the Dealer Login.

We work with your dealership to meet all contract requirements and funding deadlines. Funds are sent by ACH or wire, depending on your relationship with Vantage. Title work requirements are addressed in your dealer agreements and often depend on whether the deal is in-state or out-of-state.