The upcoming winter boat shows mean winter boat loans. To help the consumer understand the loan process and to get the best deal, marine lending expert Charm Addington, vice president of the BoatU.S. Financing division, has five boat loan tips for prospective borrowers:

Use a specialist. You wouldn't use a general practitioner for brain surgery, so why would you go to your local bank for a marine loan? Nationwide lenders that specialize in marine finance traditionally offer better deals than a local bank.

Know what you want. Boat loans are based on specific collateral. Just because you're pre-approved, don't assume that you can spend the money on anything you want. At a minimum, have a good idea of the boat you have in mind when seeking a loan pre-approval, and at best, provide your lender with a purchase agreement. It's also always good to check a boat's value  via one of the marine price guides or through BoatU.S.' free Value Check service - before filling out an application.

What do you look like? On paper, that is. Many borrowers are surprised to learn that they have "glitches" on their credit report. "Glitches" on a loan application are like a bad hair day at the office - both make you look bad and more importantly, you won't get the best deal on an interest  rate. Get a copy of your credit report before you head off to the boat  show.

Blank spots causes problems. Empty lines on a loan application cause delays. Start a backup paper trail that includes a minimum of two years tax returns and W-2's, and a copy of your current pay stub. If you're recently retired, provide proof of retirement income.