The Wire
Stories from across the boating world.
Walkthroughs, boat show coverage, and the guides that make owning a boat easier, reported by the Nautical Network team.
August 28, 2026
Boat Insurance Basics: What a Policy Actually Covers
Hull coverage, liability, uninsured boater, agreed value vs actual cash value, and the named-storm fine print Florida owners need to read before they sign anything.
Read moreAugust 27, 2026
The Real Closing Costs of Buying a Boat in Florida
Sales tax caps, registration, USCG documentation, survey and haul-out, dealer fees: the verified numbers behind what a boat really costs to close in Florida.
Read moreAugust 26, 2026
Extended Warranties on Boats: What They Cover and What They Quietly Exclude
What marine service contracts actually cover, the corrosion and wear-item exclusions that decide claims, and five questions to ask before you roll one into the loan.
Read moreAugust 25, 2026
Boat Loan vs HELOC vs Personal Loan: The Honest Tradeoffs
Three ways to borrow for a boat, compared honestly: what secures the debt, how the terms differ, and what happens when you sell. General education, not advice.
Read moreAugust 24, 2026
How Marine Pros Finance Trucks, Tools, and Growth
How detailers, divers, and mobile techs finance trucks and equipment, why lenders read cash flow before anything else, and how steady leads change the loan math.
Read moreAugust 17, 2026
How Long Can You Finance a Boat?
Boat loans commonly run 10 to 20 years. Here's what decides your term, how term length changes your payment and total cost, and how to pick the right one.
Read moreAugust 16, 2026
What Credit Score Do You Need for a Boat Loan?
Most marine lenders want a 680 or better, and the best rates go to borrowers above 740. Here's how the tiers work and what can offset a middling score.
Read moreAugust 15, 2026
How Much Boat Can You Afford?
Work backward from a comfortable monthly payment to a realistic boat budget, with the debt-to-income math lenders actually use.
Read moreAugust 14, 2026
Can You Finance a Used Boat?
Yes, and most boat loans are written on pre-owned vessels. Here's how used-boat financing differs from new, from age limits to the survey requirement.
Read moreAugust 13, 2026
What Is a Marine Survey, and Do You Need One?
The inspection lenders require on most used boats, what it covers, what it costs, and why it protects you even when it isn't required.
Read moreAugust 12, 2026
Should You Refinance Your Boat Loan?
When a lower rate actually pays off, what a refinance costs, and the break-even math to run before you move your boat loan.
Read moreAugust 11, 2026
Boat Loan Pre-Qualification vs. Application: What's the Difference?
One is a two-minute soft inquiry that sets your budget. The other is the full underwrite that funds the boat. Here's how each stage works and what to prepare.
Read moreAugust 10, 2026
How Much Down Payment Do You Need for a Boat?
Plan on 10 to 20 percent down for most boat loans. Here's what moves the number, what more money down buys you, and when zero-down is realistic.
Read moreAugust 9, 2026
How Much Does a Boat Loan Cost per Month?
Real monthly numbers at today's rates: what $100k, $175k, and $250k boats cost per month at 10, 15, and 20-year terms, and what moves the payment.
Read moreAugust 8, 2026
Should You Pay Cash or Finance Your Boat?
The honest case for each: when writing the check makes sense, when financing is the smarter play, and the liquidity question most buyers skip.
Read moreAugust 7, 2026
How Long Does It Take to Get a Boat Loan?
Pre-qualification in minutes, approval within a day, and a closing timeline that depends mostly on the survey. The full boat loan timeline, stage by stage.
Read moreAugust 6, 2026
Can You Charter a Boat You Financed?
Recreational boat loans are written for personal use. Here's what changes, on the loan and the insurance, if you want your boat to earn charter income.
Read more