Caravan, boat, and leisure finance, compared properly before you commit.
- Loans from $5K to $250K for caravans, boats, motorhomes, and jet skis
- Indicative answer within 2 business days, so the cost is clear before you decide
- Salaried employees, self-employed ABN holders, and retirees
- New, used, dealer, and private sale purchases considered
- Full-doc (tax returns), low-doc or alt-doc (BAS, bank statements or an accountant's letter instead) options across our 90+ lender panel
Leisure assets are financed the same way a car is, secured against the asset itself, which keeps the rate well below an unsecured personal loan. Where they differ is appetite. Lenders that will happily fund a three year old sedan have firm views about boat hulls, caravan age, and anything imported or unusual, and those views are not published anywhere. Getting the asset in front of a lender that actually wants it is most of the job. Joseph Farhat and his team will tell you honestly and quickly what is achievable for the asset you have in mind.
Who we can help access finance
- Buyers of caravans, campers, and pop-tops, new or used, from a dealer or privately.
- Motorhome and RV buyers, including larger units where the amount moves into a different lending tier.
- Boat buyers across trailer boats, cruisers, and yachts, where hull type and age matter.
- Motorbike, jet ski, and personal watercraft buyers.
- People buying privately or at auction, which is common in this market and needs extra checks.
- Retirees and semi-retired buyers, where income is assessed differently.
- Self-employed borrowers and ABN holders whose income is real but takes longer to evidence.
- Buyers of older or imported assets, where the lender list narrows sharply.
How Leisure Finance Works
The lender takes security over the asset and registers its interest on the Personal Property Securities Register, the same mechanism used for car finance. Because the loan is secured against something with resale value, the rate sits well below unsecured lending. Terms usually run one to seven years, and for larger caravans and boats some lenders extend further. Balloon payments are available and are more common on this category than most, which lowers the repayment and increases the total cost. Joseph Farhat and his team review the asset, your position, and the purchase type, match it to a lender with genuine appetite, and manage the application through to settlement.
What Lenders Assess
The asset type
caravans are generally the most straightforward, boats less so, and unusual or imported assets narrow the lender list considerably.
Age at the end of the term
most lenders cap how old the asset can be when the loan finishes, which is what shortens available terms on older units.
Hull and construction for boats
fibreglass and aluminium trailer boats are widely accepted. Timber hulls, older steel, and large offshore vessels are specialist territory.
Purchase type
dealer purchases are simplest. Private sales and auctions are very common here and require a PPSR check plus verification of the seller.
Income and capacity
assessed as for any consumer loan, with the repayment tested against your existing commitments.
Credit profile
secured lending is more forgiving than unsecured, and the file still drives the rate.
Deposit
often not required on newer assets from a dealer, more likely on older units, private sales, and boats.
Whether the asset will be used to generate income, which changes the loan type and the regulatory treatment.
The Process: What to Expect
- Talk to Joseph Farhat and his team about the asset, its age, and whether you are buying from a dealer or privately. Asset appetite is the thing that decides this application, so it is the first question.
- Provide the basics: identification, recent bank statements or payslips, and the sale contract or listing details for the asset.
- We match the asset to lenders with genuine appetite for that type and age, rather than testing it against several. On private sales we confirm what checks the lender will require before you commit to the seller.
- The lender assesses and issues an approval setting out the rate, comparison rate, term, any balloon, and fees. We go through the total cost over the full term before you sign anything.
- Settlement is paid to the dealer or the private seller, the lender registers its interest on the PPSR, and repayments begin.
Indicative Finance Options
| Lender Type | Pricing | Typical Loan Range | Loan Term | Deposit Required | Speed to Funding |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bank | Sharpest available pricing | $10K to $150K | 1 to 7 years | Often none for newer assets | 3 to 10 business days |
| Non-Bank Lenders | Priced for flexibility | $5K to $250K | 1 to 7 years | None to 20% | Within 2 business days |
| Private Finance | Not typically used for consumer leisure assets. Available for unique scenarios only. | ||||
Indicative figures only. Actual terms depend on your circumstances, the asset, and lender assessment at the time of application. We quote your rate and comparison rate for your specific loan amount and term before you apply. Terms are subject to change.
Why borrowers choose Settled With Joe for leisure finance
We represent you, not the lender
Joseph Farhat and his team act in your interest, and on consumer lending that is a legal duty, not a slogan.
Asset appetite decides these deals
lenders have firm and unpublished views on boat hulls, caravan age, and imported units, and going to the wrong one wastes a week.
Private sales are normal here and need care
a PPSR check protects you from buying something with finance still owing on it, and we make sure it happens.
Dealer finance is one offer, not a comparison
convenient at the point of sale, and rarely the sharpest rate available to you.
Balloons are common on this category
they lower the repayment and raise the total, and both numbers are worth seeing before choosing.
One conversation, not five applications
every application is recorded on your credit file, and a run of them makes the next approval harder.
90+ lenders on one panel
bank, non-bank, and specialist, including lenders comfortable with older and unusual assets.
Usually no direct cost to you
as a broker we are typically paid by the lender on settlement.
An honest answer early
if the asset is too old or too unusual for mainstream funding, we will tell you before you commit to the seller.
Frequently asked questions
What is caravan, boat and leisure finance?
It is a secured consumer loan used to buy a leisure asset: a caravan, camper, motorhome, boat, jet ski, or motorbike. The lender takes security over the asset and registers its interest on the Personal Property Securities Register, which is the same mechanism used for car finance. Because it is secured, the rate sits well below an unsecured personal loan. Terms usually run one to seven years, and longer on some larger assets.
Can I finance an older caravan or boat?
Often yes, and asset age is the single biggest constraint on this product. Most lenders cap how old the asset can be at the end of the loan term, which is what shortens the available term on an older unit rather than ruling it out. A fifteen year old van might be financeable over three years but not seven. Some lenders on the panel are far more comfortable with older assets than others, and knowing which is frequently the difference between an approval and a decline.
Can I buy privately or at auction?
Yes, and it is very common in this market. Lenders will fund private purchases, with two extra steps. The lender will run a PPSR check to confirm no existing finance is owing on the asset, which protects you from buying something a financier can later repossess. They will also verify the seller and pay them directly rather than paying you. Do not hand over a deposit before those checks are underway, because if finance is still owing, the buyer can lose the asset.
Does the type of boat matter?
A great deal. Fibreglass and aluminium trailer boats from recognised manufacturers are widely accepted and price much like a car. Timber hulls, older steel vessels, larger offshore cruisers, and anything imported or custom-built move into specialist territory with a much smaller lender list, lower loan-to-value ratios (LVR, the loan as a share of the asset's value), and often a deposit requirement. Tell us the make, model, year, and hull construction at the first conversation, because that determines everything else.
What is a balloon payment, and how does it change the cost?
Balloons are more common on this category than most, and the trade-off is the same as anywhere: a lump sum left owing at the end lowers your monthly repayment and increases the total interest paid. The specific risk with leisure assets is depreciation. Caravans and boats can depreciate faster than the loan amortises, so a large balloon can leave you owing more than the asset is worth at the end. We will show you the repayment and the total cost with and without one.
Can I get finance if I am retired or semi-retired?
Often yes, and it is a common scenario on this product. Lenders assess income rather than employment status, so pension, superannuation drawdowns, and investment income are all considered, though lender treatment varies considerably. Some lenders limit the term based on your age and income source. It narrows the panel rather than closing it, and it is worth having the conversation before you commit to a purchase.
Will applying affect my credit score?
Every credit application is recorded on your file, and several applications in a short window read poorly to the next lender. This is easy to trip over at a caravan or boat show, where multiple dealers may offer to check your finance options on the spot. We work out which lender has appetite for your specific asset before an application is lodged, so your file carries one enquiry rather than several.
What is a comparison rate, and why are no rates shown on this page?
A comparison rate combines the interest rate with the standard fees into a single figure so two loans can be compared honestly. An advertised rate on its own can look sharp and still cost more once establishment and monthly fees are counted, and a comparison rate is only meaningful for a specific amount and term. Pricing on this product also varies substantially by asset type and age, so a single headline number would tell you very little. We quote your rate and comparison rate for your real numbers instead.
Do you work with borrowers with bad credit?
Yes, we do. A default, an old arrears listing, or a thin credit file does not rule you out, and it is not something we will make you feel awkward about. Because the lender holds security over a resaleable asset, several lenders on our panel will price for the risk rather than decline it, particularly where a deposit is available. Telling us early lets us approach the right lender first instead of adding enquiries to your file.
What if I will use the caravan or boat for business?
That changes things. Where an asset is used predominantly for business purposes, the finance is generally written as commercial rather than consumer lending, which changes the documentation, the assessment, and the consumer protections that apply. It also opens up chattel mortgage and lease structures with different tax treatment, which is a question for your accountant rather than for us. Tell us the intended use at the outset so the right product is arranged from the start.
Do you act in my best interests?
Yes. When we provide credit assistance on consumer lending we owe you a best interests duty. We make reasonable enquiries into your financial situation, requirements, and objectives, and we must not suggest or help you apply for a loan that is unsuitable for you. Where our interests and yours conflict, yours come first. Before we provide credit assistance you will receive our Credit Guide.
Why work with Settled With Joe for leisure finance?
Because asset appetite decides this product and none of it is published. Most of the people we help have found a specific van, boat, or bike, often privately, and have no way of knowing which lenders will fund a unit of that age and type. There is no judgement in the conversation. What matters is the asset, the purchase type, and your capacity. Private sales need a PPSR check that protects you from buying something with finance still owing, and dealer finance at the point of sale is one offer rather than a comparison. Balloons are common here and carry a real depreciation risk worth seeing in numbers. Our panel covers 90+ bank, non-bank, and specialist lenders. We are based in Sydney and work with borrowers Australia-wide. Joseph Farhat and his team will tell you honestly and early what is achievable.
Do you give financial advice?
No. We do not guide you on your finances, nor give financial advice. We focus on outcomes and solutions of presenting your unique scenario to the right lender so you can access funding in a timely and compliant manner.
Do you help with caravan, boat and leisure finance outside Sydney?
Yes. Settled With Joe is based in Sydney and arranges caravan, boat and leisure finance Australia-wide, covering both metro and regional areas. We work with clients in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, and Canberra, as well as regional areas including Newcastle, Wollongong, Geelong, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, and Toowoomba. Buying interstate is common on this product and is straightforward to fund, though the PPSR and verification steps matter more when you have not inspected in person. Joseph Farhat and his team will identify which lenders on the panel are the best fit for your asset.
