Basic Boat Loan Options
Normally your first option for financing is through the dealer. He'll have contacts which can lend to various levels of credit. But be aware that if your credit is poor, the interest rate may be almost double what a person with good credit would pay. So if your credit is bad, you'll probably want to look elsewhere.

If the price of the boat isn't high, then an simple way to get a loan would be to use your credit card. But if you finance the boat this way, make sure you can pay it off within a year or so, as the interest cost will really add up.

If you're buying a more expensive boat, then a personal loan might be more practical. A credit union is the first choice for bank-type interest rates but easier qualifying. If you can't get a loan through a credit union you're next choice could be a finance company. Finance companies accept poorer credit than credit unions, but they also charge higher rates.

If your credit is too marginal for getting bad credit boat loans on your own, consider having a partner. This could be either a friend or family member who shares ownership and responsibility for the loan or it could be only as a cosigner to a loan.

Alternatives to Bad Credit Boat Loans
There's also boat ownership alternatives you could choose instead of looking for bad credit boat loans. If you have sufficient equity in your home, you could pay for the boat with a home equity loan.

You also might want to lease a boat instead of buying. If you typically use a boat only part of the year, you could get a timeshare arrangement. It works the the same way as a timeshare vacation condo. You pay for using the boat during specific times of the year. You won't own the boat, but you also won't be responsible for its repairs and maintenance.