Net Hauler Finance

Spread the cost of a net hauler from £10,000 to £90,000 with flexible finance options. HP, lease, or refinance

Can you finance a net hauler?

Yes, net haulers are financed as a standard asset purchase, usually on hire purchase or a lease, with the machine itself acting as the security. UK prices typically run £10,000 to £90,000, and most deals are written over 24–72 months with a deposit of around 10–20%. Decisions typically take 3–5 working days. Used machines are financeable too, usually with a shorter term.

Typical Cost

£10k – £90k

Approval Speed

3–5 working days

Faster for like-for-like replacements

Rates From

4.5% APR

What would a net hauler cost per month?

Net Hauler price (ex VAT) £30,000

Deposit 10%

Agreement term 60 months

Annual interest rate 9%

Balloon payment £0

Your estimate

Indicative only. Not a quote and not an offer of finance.

Pre-filled with a typical net hauler price. Indicative only, not a quote.

Finance options

Hire Purchase (HP)

Rate: From 4.9% APR
Term: 24–72 months
Deposit: 10–20%
Ownership: Yours at the end
Best for: Fish farms wanting to own the hauler outright

Finance Lease

Rate: From 4.5% APR
Term: 24–72 months
Deposit: None required
Ownership: Return or buy (balloon payment)
Best for: Tax-efficient, claim 100% of payments against profit

Operating Lease

Rate: From 5.2% APR
Term: 24–48 months
Deposit: None required
Ownership: Return at end
Best for: Keep vessel-mounted equipment current without capital outlay

Representative example

On a purchase price of £30,000: a 10% deposit of £3,000, then 48 monthly payments of £633 at 5.9% APR representative (fixed). Total amount payable £33,384, including the deposit. The rate you are offered depends on your business and the asset.

What buyers actually specify

Guide prices for sizing a finance agreement, not quotes. Manufacturers in this market mostly price on application, so where a current UK list price could not be confirmed the row describes a specification class rather than naming a model. Your supplier quote is what the agreement is written against.

Machine or specification	Guide price	Type
Hydraulic Net Hauler (small vessel/site class)	£10,000 – £25,000	Hydraulic Net Hauler
Powered Net Hauler with Boom (mid-scale site class)	£25,000 – £45,000	Boom-Mounted Hauler
Cage Net Cleaning and Hauling System (integrated class)	£40,000 – £65,000	Cleaning/Hauling System
Vessel-Mounted Net Hauler (workboat-fitted, large site class)	£55,000 – £90,000	Vessel-Mounted Hauler

Tax benefits

Net haulers are moveable plant and generally qualify for the Annual Investment Allowance (AIA), letting an operator deduct the full cost from taxable profits in the year of purchase, up to £1,000,000, subject to the normal AIA rules. HP gives access to capital allowances directly; lease payments are normally deductible from profits. A vessel-mounted hauler is treated as part of the workboat's equipment rather than as a site fixture, so it moves with the vessel and its ownership is separate from the moorings or cages it services.

Market context

Net haulers are bought by finfish farms operating under a site licence from the relevant marine and environmental authorities, and used for lifting, cleaning and replacing cage nets as part of routine husbandry and biosecurity work. A site's licence sets the number and scale of cages it can operate, which in turn determines the hauling capacity a farm needs, so equipment is specified to a site's stocking plan rather than bought generically. Because net hauling equipment operates constantly in a corrosive saltwater environment, often under significant mechanical load, working life is generally shorter than comparable land-based winching or lifting equipment, and replacement is driven mainly by corrosion and hydraulic wear rather than a fixed age. A modest used market exists, largely through equipment removed during a vessel or site equipment upgrade.

Frequently asked questions

Is a net hauler financed as vessel equipment or site equipment?

It depends on how the hauler is mounted. A vessel-mounted hauler is usually financed as part of the workboat's equipment and can be included in vessel finance, while a fixed or barge-mounted hauler at a specific site is more often financed as standalone site equipment. It is worth telling a broker how the hauler will be mounted so the right finance route can be arranged.

Can I finance used net haulers?

Yes, though because saltwater exposure shortens working life relative to land-based equipment, lenders place particular weight on a documented service history and evidence of corrosion protection before financing a used unit. Equipment sourced through an aquaculture equipment dealer with a reconditioning process is generally easier to finance than privately sourced used equipment. A documented maintenance history matters more here than a low asking price, since it gives a lender confidence in the equipment's remaining working life before agreeing terms.

What deposit do I need?

For hire purchase, most lenders ask for a 10-20% deposit. Finance leases and operating leases often require no deposit, which suits a farm replacing equipment quickly to maintain net cleaning and biosecurity schedules. A larger deposit reduces the monthly payment on the higher-cost vessel-mounted and integrated cleaning system options. It's worth discussing your preferred deposit level with a broker before applying, since the right figure depends on your own cash flow and how quickly you want the remaining balance cleared.

Does my site licence affect the finance I can get?

It can. A lender will often ask about a site's stocking licence and the scale of cage operation it permits, since this sets the hauling capacity the equipment is expected to support. A stable, long-held licence generally strengthens the investment case. A lender will generally want sight of the relevant licence or contract early in the process, so having it ready alongside your accounts helps keep the application moving quickly.