Commercial Boat Leasing in BC
We built our commercial leasing program for one reason: fishing lodges, resorts, and rental operators need boats that show up ready to work, without tying up the capital a growing operation needs elsewhere. We have been outfitting commercial and pleasure boaters out of Delta, Prince Rupert, and Sandspit since 1979, and our commercial partners lean on that same experience when they lease a boat from us. If we promise to do it, we will. Nothing less should be expected.
Who We Lease To
Our commercial leasing clients come from a few corners of the BC marine industry, and we shape each lease around how that operator actually uses a boat:
- Fishing lodges and camps that need dependable aluminum boats for guests every season, often replacing or adding units on the same schedule as their guiding calendar.
- Resorts that rent boats to guests and need a fleet that looks good at the dock and holds up to daily turnover.
- Rental operators running a mix of boats and need the flexibility to add or refresh units without a large upfront outlay.
- Water taxi and tour operators who put hours on a boat year round and need a lease structure that matches steady, heavy use.
- Aquaculture and marine service operations that need a workboat on hand but don’t want it sitting on their books as a depreciating asset.
If your operation looks something like one of these, our team can talk through fleet size, season length, and product mix before we ever get to paperwork.
How Commercial Boat Leasing Works at Bridgeview Marine
We offer two lease structures, and which one fits depends on how your operation uses the boat and how you want the payments to land against your revenue season.
Straight Lease
Our residual lease keeps monthly payments as low as possible because you are only paying for the time your camp, resort, or rental operation actually has the boat in use. The residual, or unused portion of the boat’s value, gets charged to the purchaser once the boat comes back from the operator. This structure suits operations that want a boat for a defined season and would rather not carry it, or its full cost, year round.
Lease to Own
Through our leasing provider, MML, we also offer lease-to-own terms of 6, 18, and 30 months. Camps, resorts, and rental operators tend to favour this option because the payment schedule lines up with the season when the boat is actually earning revenue, giving you a cash flow holiday in the off season. Unlike the straight lease, every lease-to-own payment pays down the capital amount, so by the end of the term the boat is yours.
We size both structures to the operator, not the other way around. Tell us your fleet size, season, and how hard the boat will be worked, and we will recommend the structure and term that fits, along with any minimum fleet size for your situation.
Why Lease a Commercial Boat
The benefits of leasing a commercial boat for a camp, resort, or rental operator come down to protecting capital and staying current:
- Conserves capital: Spreading payments over the lease term keeps cash in your operation instead of locked into a depreciating asset.
- Preserves your lines of credit: Leasing sits apart from your existing line of credit, protects you against interest rate changes since your payment is fixed for the term, and, in most cases, your lease payments are fully tax deductible.
- Eliminates obsolescence: Upgrading before the lease expires keeps your fleet current instead of ageing out with worn equipment.
- Hedges against inflation: Fixed payments over the lease period mean rising costs elsewhere do not touch what you owe on the boat itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies for a commercial lease with Bridgeview Marine?
Camps, lodges, resorts, rental operators, water taxi and tour operations, and marine service businesses in BC all qualify. We look at your fleet size, season length, and how the boats will be used to recommend the right structure and term.
Is there a minimum fleet size to lease commercially?
Reach out with your fleet size and season and we will confirm whether a straight lease or lease-to-own term fits your operation. We size every commercial lease to the operator rather than applying a blanket minimum.
What lease terms are available?
Our lease-to-own terms run 6, 18, and 30 months through our leasing provider, MML. Our straight lease runs to the length of your operating season, with the residual portion settled once the boat is returned.
Is maintenance included in a commercial lease?
Talk to our team about maintenance when you set up your lease. We provide boat maintenance and repair, winterization, and spring commissioning for commercial and pleasure boats alike, so ask us to fold that into your commercial arrangement.
Do lease payments qualify for tax benefits?
In most cases, lease payments are fully tax deductible, which is one of the reasons camps and resorts prefer leasing over tying up a line of credit in a boat purchase. Confirm the specifics with your accountant, since your situation may differ.
What happens at the end of a lease-to-own term?
Every lease-to-own payment pays down the capital amount, so once you reach the end of your 6, 18, or 30 month term, the boat is yours outright.
Can I upgrade to a newer boat before my lease ends?
Yes. Upgrading before your lease expires is one of the main reasons operators choose to lease rather than buy, since it keeps your fleet current without waiting out a full ownership cycle.