The world of superyachts (typically vessels over 30 metres) operates in a select atmosphere of maritime law, international taxation, and bespoke engineering. Financing these floating assets requires more than a bank, it requires a partner who understands the intricate web of ownership structures and operational logistics involved in superyacht ownership.
Silver Oak Capital provides dedicated superyacht finance solutions for ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) and family offices. Whether the vessel is berthed in Monaco, cruising the Caribbean, or undergoing a refit in La Ciotat, we structure financing that aligns with your global wealth strategy.
This is a highly specialised tier of marine lending. While it shares DNA with standard yacht mortgages, the sheer scale of the asset changes the risk profile and the financial structuring. Superyachts are almost exclusively owned through Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) – typically limited companies registered in tax-neutral jurisdictions like the Isle of Man, Malta, or the Cayman Islands. Superyacht finance is, therefore, a corporate loan to the SPV, secured by a mortgage on the vessel and backed by a personal guarantee from the Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO).
A superyacht mortgage is only as strong as the lender’s ability to register and enforce it. The yacht’s flag/registry jurisdiction affects how the mortgage is recorded, how competing charges are treated, and how repossession/sale would work if there’s a default. Lenders prefer clean, well-understood registries and will require robust title checks to ensure there are no hidden encumbrances.
Superyacht underwriting leans heavily on independent marine surveys, and for many larger yachts, class status is a key gating item. Loan documents often include covenants requiring you to keep the yacht in good repair, maintain class (where applicable), follow service schedules, and complete mandatory inspections. The logic is simple – condition drives value, and value protects the lender’s downside.
Insurance is central to superyacht mortgages – typically including hull and machinery cover and liability cover (often with additional requirements depending on cruising area). The lender will usually be noted as the mortgagee/loss payee, so if there’s a major casualty, insurance proceeds are controlled in a way that protects repayment or repairs. Lenders may also impose navigation limits (where you can cruise) because certain regions materially change risk and premiums.
The documentation for a superyacht loan is immense. Banks require deep dives into the source of wealth. We manage this intrusive process, presenting your financial profile to credit committees in a clear and professional format that mitigates their risk concerns and speeds up approval.
Closing a superyacht deal is a logistical feat. It involves the buyer, seller, brokers, lawyers, lender, and captain, often across different time zones. We manage the drawdown process to the minute, ensuring funds land exactly when the Protocol of Delivery and Acceptance is signed.
We frequently help owners refinance existing loans to better terms or release equity from unencumbered superyachts to fund other business ventures. If your yacht has appreciated or maintained value well, we can unlock the capital sitting in the asset.
Yes, but it is challenging. For classic yachts or older superyachts, the lender will focus heavily on the refit history. If you can prove the vessel has been maintained to class standards (e.g., Lloyd’s Register or RINA classification) and has undergone major 5-year, 10-year, and 20-year surveys, getting finance is possible.
Often, yes. If the loan is underwritten partly on the basis that charter income will service the debt, the lender may take an “Assignment of Charter Earnings.” This gives them a right to the income if you default, but usually, day-to-day income flows to your operating account.
Yes. We can arrange separate asset finance for tenders, toys, and helicopters, or in some cases, wrap them into the main superyacht facility if they are permanently attached to the vessel inventory.