Nautical Financing Guide: Choose Between Leasing and Nautical Credit

Buying a boat—whether new or used—usually raises a key question: what type of financing is best for me, boat leasing or boat loan?

There are now financial solutions designed specifically for the nautical sector, and in our case we work with SYS Finance, our specialist partner.

SYS Finance: Specialists in nautical financing

Since 2006, SYS Finance has been the exclusive financial broker for SGB Finance in Spain and Portugal. SGB Finance is a French entity created by the alliance between Société Générale and the Bénéteau Group, an international leader in the nautical world.

This allows us to offer each shipowner competitive conditions and products tailored to the purchase of new or used boats.

Advantages of financing your boat with SYS Finance

Specialists in boat financing, both technically and financially.
In-depth knowledge of nautical products and all the procedures associated with the sale.
Continuous support and advice throughout the process.
Flexible financing, with conditions tailored to each type of boat and customer:
- Valid for private use or charter companies (registration in list 6 or 7).
- Flexible terms, from 3 to 15 years.
- Initial contribution between 20% and 50%.
- Optional residual value, ideal for reducing the monthly payment, leaving a larger final payment.

Which is better: leasing or boat financing?

Choosing between leasing and boat financing depends on your needs, the type of boat, and your financial situation. Below, we explain the differences to help you make the best decision.

BOAT LEASING

Leasing is a financial lease agreement in which the boat remains the property of the financial institution for the duration of the contract. At the end of the contract, the customer can exercise the purchase option and become the owner, which is very common in this type of transaction.

Main features of boat leasing:

Suitable for new or used boats that are only a few years old.
Allows for lower monthly payments thanks to the residual value.
May offer tax advantages for companies and charter professionals (according to current legislation).

BOAT LOAN

A boat loan is a specific loan for the purchase of a boat. In this case, the customer is the owner from the outset, as with a traditional loan.

Advantages of each product

	Leasing	Crédito
Ownership	By the finance company, until the purchase option is exercised	By the owner from the outset
Down payment	Min. 20-30% / Max. 50%	Min. 20-30% / Max. 70%
Residual value (Leave a larger final payment and thus reduce the monthly installment)	Up to 15%	No
Is VAT financed?	No, it is invoiced in each rental installment	Yes, as a higher purchase amount
Subrogation	Possibility of subrogating the contract to a third party	No

Which option should you choose to finance your boat?

If you are looking for flexible payments and financing designed specifically for new or pre-owned boats, nautical leasing may be the best option.

If you prefer to be the owner from the outset or your boat is older, a nautical loan is probably the best option for you.

Whatever your situation, our team and SYS Finance can help you explore the most suitable option.

Other key aspects of nautical financing

In addition to choosing between leasing or credit, it is important to consider other details of the process. Here we answer some common questions among shipowners.

Is a fixed or variable interest rate better?

Fixed! As these are long-term transactions, we recommend choosing a fixed interest rate to avoid unexpected changes in your monthly payments and to know the total cost of financing from the outset.

Can I cancel the lease before it expires and put the boat in my name?

Yes! After the first year of the contract, it is possible to cancel early and transfer ownership. The contract specifies the cancellation cost for each month.

Is it mandatory to take out insurance with the finance company?

No. You must prove that the boat is insured for its value, but it is not mandatory to take out insurance with the finance company. It is also not mandatory to take out life insurance in favor of the entity.

Can partial cancellations be made?

Yes. After the first year, both for leasing and credit, the transaction can be partially amortized. This entails a small cancellation fee applied to the outstanding capital.