Can I get a personal loan to buy a boat?

Yes, you can get a personal loan to buy a boat. Personal loans can be used for any purpose, including boat purchases. Here is how: 1) Loan amounts — $1,000 to $100,000 depending on the lender and your credit. 2) Rates — 6.99-35.99% APR depending on credit score. 3) Funding speed — same day to 4 days. 4) No collateral — the loan is unsecured, meaning the boat is NOT collateral. If you default, the lender cannot repossess the boat (but your credit will be damaged and the lender can sue). 5) No survey required — marine loans typically require a marine survey ($300-$1,000), but personal loans do not. 6) No age restriction — marine loans typically require the boat to be less than 15 years old, but personal loans have no age restriction. You can buy a 30-year-old sailboat with a personal loan. 7) Any boat type — personal loans have no restrictions on boat type (sailboat, motorboat, pontoon, PWC, etc.). 8) Best lenders for boat loans: LightStream (6.99%, same-day, $100K, 660 credit), SoFi (8.99%, same-day, $100K, 680 credit), Marcus (6.99%, 1-3 days, $40K, 640 credit), and Upstart (6.70%, 1-2 days, $50K, 300 credit). 9) When to use personal loan vs marine loan — use a personal loan for boats under $100K, used boats over 15 years old, or when you want fast funding without a survey. Use a marine loan for boats over $100K, new boats, or when you want the lowest rate and longest term (up to 20 years).

What is the difference between a personal loan and a marine loan for a boat?

A personal loan and a marine loan are two different ways to finance a boat, each with pros and cons: 1) PERSONAL LOAN — an unsecured installment loan. Features: a) Rate: 6.99-35.99% APR (fixed), b) Amount: $1,000-$100,000, c) Term: 12-84 months, d) Collateral: none (unsecured), e) Survey: not required, f) Age restriction: none (any age boat), g) Type restriction: none (any boat type), h) Funding: same day to 4 days, i) Credit: 300-680+, j) Repayment: fixed monthly payments. Pros: no collateral, no survey, fast funding, any boat, no age limit. Cons: higher rate than marine (1-2% more), shorter term (7yr vs 20yr), lower max ($100K vs $500K). 2) MARINE LOAN — a secured loan using the boat as collateral. Features: a) Rate: 6.50-12% APR (fixed or variable), b) Amount: $10,000-$500,000, c) Term: up to 20 years, d) Collateral: boat (secured — lender can repossess), e) Survey: required ($300-$1,000), f) Age restriction: typically <15 years old, g) Type restriction: must meet lender requirements (length, type, engine), h) Funding: 2-4 weeks, i) Credit: 660+, j) Repayment: monthly payments. Pros: lowest rate, longest term (20yr), largest amount ($500K). Cons: boat as collateral, survey required, age/size restrictions, slow approval. 3) Cost comparison on $50K boat — Personal loan at 8.99% for 7yr = $801/month, $17,284 total interest. Marine loan at 6.50% for 15yr = $436/month, $28,480 total interest. The marine loan has lower monthly payments ($436 vs $801) but costs more in total interest ($28,480 vs $17,284) because of the longer term. 4) When to choose which — personal loan: boats under $100K, used boats >15yr old, fast funding needed, no survey wanted, any boat type. Marine loan: boats $100K+, new boats, want lowest monthly payment, OK with survey and restrictions.

Can I get a boat loan with bad credit?

Yes, you can get a personal loan for a boat with bad credit. Here are your options by credit score: 1) 660+ credit — LightStream (6.99%, $100K, same-day), SoFi (8.99%, $100K, same-day), Discover (6.99%, $40K, 1-3 days). Best rates. 2) 640-659 credit — Marcus (6.99%, $40K, 1-3 days), Prosper (6.99%, $50K, 1-3 days). Good rates. 3) 560-639 credit — Upgrade (8.49%, $50K, 1-2 days), LendingClub (8.98%, $40K, 2-4 days). Higher rates. 4) 550-559 credit — Avant (9.95%, $35K, 1-2 days). Flexible. 5) 300-549 credit — Upstart (6.70%, $50K, 1-2 days). AI underwriting considers education and employment. 6) 500+ credit — OneMain Financial (18.00%, $20K, 1-2 days). Highest rates. 7) Marine loans with bad credit — most marine lenders require 660+. Some specialize in bad credit marine loans but rates are 10-15%+. 8) Alternatives for bad credit — a) Co-signer: add a family member with 680+ credit. SoFi, LendingClub, Prosper allow co-signers. b) Secured loan: use savings or car as collateral. c) Dealer financing: some dealers offer in-house financing with flexible credit. d) Buy a cheaper used boat: $5,000-$10,000 boat with a small personal loan. 9) Best bad credit lenders for boat loans: Upstart (300+ credit, 6.70%, $50K), Avant (550+ credit, 9.95%, $35K), and OneMain (500+ credit, 18.00%, $20K). 10) Strategy — get pre-qualified with 3+ lenders (soft pull), compare rates, and choose the lowest APR. Consider a used boat to reduce the loan amount.

How much down payment do I need for a boat loan?

For a personal loan used to buy a boat, there is NO down payment required — you can finance 100% of the purchase price. Here is the breakdown by financing type: 1) Personal loan — 0% down (no down payment required). You can borrow the full purchase price of the boat. Example: $30,000 pontoon, 0% down = $30,000 loan. 2) Marine loan — 10-20% down typically required. Example: $50,000 boat, 10% down = $5,000 cash + $45,000 loan. Some marine lenders offer 0% down for borrowers with excellent credit (750+). 3) Dealer financing — 10-20% down typically required, but promotional 0% down deals are sometimes available. 4) HELOC — 0% down (uses existing home equity, not the boat). 5) Credit card — 0% down (but limited to credit limit). 6) Why personal loans require no down payment — personal loans are unsecured (no collateral), so the concept of "down payment" does not apply. You simply borrow the full amount you need. 7) Should you put money down? — even though personal loans do not require a down payment, putting 10-20% down reduces your loan amount, monthly payment, and total interest. Example: $40,000 boat with $8,000 down = $32,000 loan at 8.99% for 60mo = $665/month ($7,900 interest). $40,000 boat with $0 down = $40,000 loan at 8.99% for 60mo = $831/month ($9,860 interest). The $8,000 down payment saves $166/month and $1,960 in interest. 8) Best 0% down boat loan lenders: LightStream (6.99%, $100K, same-day), SoFi (8.99%, $100K, same-day), and Marcus (6.99%, $40K, 1-3 days).

Can I finance a used boat with a personal loan?

Yes, you can finance a used boat with a personal loan — and this is one of the biggest advantages of personal loans over marine loans. Here is why: 1) No age restriction — marine loans typically require the boat to be less than 15 years old. Personal loans have NO age restriction. You can buy a 30-year-old sailboat or a 20-year-old fishing boat with a personal loan. 2) No survey required — marine loans require a marine survey ($300-$1,000) to verify the boat's condition and value. Personal loans do not require a survey. 3) No type restriction — marine loans may restrict certain boat types (homebuilt, wood hull, racing boats). Personal loans have no type restrictions. 4) No inspection — marine loans may require an out-of-water inspection. Personal loans do not. 5) Used boat market — the used boat market is 3-4x larger than the new boat market. Used boats cost 40-60% less than new boats of the same size. Example: a new 22ft pontoon costs $35,000, while a 5-year-old pontoon costs $20,000. 6) Financing a used boat with a personal loan — a) Find the boat (Boat Trader, YachtWorld, Craigslist, local dealers), b) Negotiate the price (used boats have more negotiating room), c) Get pre-qualified for a personal loan (soft pull), d) Apply for the loan (hard pull), e) Receive funds (same day to 4 days), f) Pay the seller (cash or bank transfer), g) Register and insure the boat. 7) Best lenders for used boat loans: LightStream (6.99%, same-day, $100K, no age limit), SoFi (8.99%, same-day, $100K, no age limit), and Upstart (6.70%, 1-2 days, $50K, 300+ credit, no age limit). 8) Tips for buying a used boat — a) Get a pre-purchase inspection (even though the lender does not require it), b) Check the hull for damage, c) Test the engine, d) Verify the title is clear, e) Check for liens, f) Negotiate based on condition and market value.

What are the total costs of boat ownership?

The purchase price is just the beginning of boat ownership costs. Here is the full breakdown: 1) Purchase price — $5,000 (small used) to $500,000+ (yacht). Average: $42,000-$100,000 new, $10,000-$50,000 used. 2) Insurance — $300-$1,500/year for small boats, $1,000-$5,000/year for mid-size, $5,000-$20,000/year for yachts. Depends on boat value, type, usage, location, and coverage. 3) Storage — a) Trailer (DIY): $0-$500/year (trailer cost $500-$3,000 one-time), b) Marina slip: $1,500-$10,000/year (depends on location and boat size), c) Dry stack storage: $2,000-$8,000/year, d) Winter storage: $500-$3,000/season. 4) Maintenance — 10% of boat value per year is the general rule. $30,000 boat = $3,000/year. Includes: engine service ($200-$1,000), hull cleaning ($200-$500), bottom paint ($500-$1,500), winterization ($200-$500), spring commissioning ($200-$500). 5) Fuel — $3-$5/gallon. A 200hp outboard burns 8-12 gallons/hour. A weekend trip (10 hours) = 80-120 gallons = $240-$600. 6) Registration — $30-$300/year depending on state and boat size. 7) Safety equipment — $200-$1,000 one-time (life jackets, fire extinguisher, flares, first aid, VHF radio, GPS). 8) Trailer — $500-$3,000 one-time (if not included with boat). 9) Annual total (excluding loan payment) — a) Small boat ($15K): $2,000-$4,000/year, b) Mid-size ($40K): $5,000-$10,000/year, c) Large ($80K): $10,000-$20,000/year, d) Yacht ($200K+): $30,000-$60,000/year. 10) Rule of thumb — budget 15-20% of the boat's value annually for all ownership costs (insurance, storage, maintenance, fuel, registration). On a $40,000 boat, that is $6,000-$8,000/year ($500-$667/month) in addition to the loan payment.

How fast can I get a loan for a boat?

The speed of getting a personal loan for a boat depends on the lender: 1) Same-day funding — LightStream (apply and get approved by 2:30pm ET, funds deposited same day), SoFi (same-day funding available). Best for when you found the perfect boat and need to move fast. 2) 1-2 day funding — Upstart (1-2 business days), Avant (1-2 business days), Upgrade (1-2 business days), OneMain (1-2 business days). 3) 1-3 day funding — Marcus (1-3 business days), Discover (1-3 business days), Prosper (1-3 business days). 4) 2-4 day funding — LendingClub (2-4 business days). 5) Compare to marine loans — marine loans take 2-4 weeks (survey, inspection, underwriting, title work). Personal loans are 10-20x faster. 6) How to speed up funding — a) Apply online (fastest method), b) Apply early in the day (before 2:30pm for same-day), c) Have all documents ready (ID, proof of income, bank info), d) Choose direct deposit (not check), e) Verify your bank account instantly (via Plaid). 7) Fastest lenders for boat loans: LightStream (same-day, $100K, 6.99%) and SoFi (same-day, $100K, 8.99%). 8) For time-sensitive purchases — if you found a great deal on a used boat and need to close quickly, a personal loan is the fastest option. Apply in the morning, get funded by afternoon, buy the boat that day. No survey, no inspection, no waiting.

Should I get a personal loan or dealer financing for a boat?

Whether to use a personal loan or dealer financing for a boat depends on your situation: 1) DEALER FINANCING — financing arranged through the boat dealer, typically via a marine lender. Features: a) Rate: 5.99-12% APR (promotional rates as low as 5.99%), b) Amount: up to $500,000, c) Term: up to 20 years, d) Collateral: boat (secured), e) Survey: may be waived for new boats, f) Convenience: one-stop shopping (buy and finance at the same place), g) Promotional rates: 5.99% for qualified buyers. Pros: convenient, promotional rates, long terms, large amounts. Cons: may have higher price built into the boat (dealer markup to offset low rate), boat as collateral, survey may be required, age restrictions. 2) PERSONAL LOAN — unsecured loan from a bank or online lender. Features: a) Rate: 6.99-35.99% APR, b) Amount: up to $100,000, c) Term: up to 84 months, d) Collateral: none, e) Survey: not required, f) Flexibility: buy from any dealer or private seller. Pros: no collateral, no survey, fast funding, any boat, negotiate cash price. Cons: higher rate (1-2% more), shorter term (7yr vs 20yr), lower max ($100K vs $500K). 3) When to choose dealer financing — a) You are buying a new boat from a dealer, b) You qualify for promotional rate (5.99%), c) You want the longest term (20 years for low monthly payments), d) You are buying a boat over $100K. 4) When to choose personal loan — a) You are buying a used boat (especially >15 years old), b) You are buying from a private seller, c) You want to negotiate the best price (cash buyer), d) You want fast funding (same day), e) You do not want a survey, f) You are buying a boat under $100K. 5) Best strategy — get pre-qualified for a personal loan BEFORE visiting the dealer. Negotiate the boat price as a cash buyer. Then ask the dealer if they can beat your personal loan rate with dealer financing. If yes, use dealer financing. If no, use the personal loan.

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PERSONAL LOAN22 min read2026-08-15

Marcus Reid

Mortgage Strategist & HELOC Specialist · NMLS #1985623, CRMP

Personal Loans for Boat Purchase 2026: Top 10 Lenders Compared (Marine Financing)

Rates Updated: June 27, 2026

Buying a boat is a dream for millions of Americans — and in 2026, it is more affordable than you might think. The average new boat costs $42,000-$100,000, while used boats range from $10,000-$50,000. Whether you want a fishing boat, pontoon, sailboat, or yacht, financing makes it possible. In 2026, there are two main ways to finance a boat: marine loans (secured by the boat, 6.50-12% APR, up to 20 years, $10K-$500K) and personal loans (unsecured, 6.99-35.99% APR, 1-7 years, $1K-$100K). Personal loans offer unique advantages: no collateral required, no marine survey needed, faster approval (same day vs 2-4 weeks for marine loans), and no restrictions on boat age or type. We compared the top 10 personal loan lenders for boat purchases and ranked them based on starting rate, loan amount, funding speed, credit flexibility, and special features. Whether you are buying a $5,000 kayak-fishing rig or a $100,000 yacht, this guide covers every option available for boat financing in 2026. [cta:Compare today's best boat loan rates|personalLoan]

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Top 10 Personal Loan Lenders for Boat Purchase 2026: Side-by-Side Comparison

We compared the 10 best boat purchase loan lenders across 7 critical factors: starting rate, max loan amount, min credit score, funding speed, max term, origination fee, and special features.

For boat loans, rate and loan amount are key — you want the lowest rate and enough to cover the full purchase. Compare boat loan lenders

Rank	Lender	Starting Rate	Max Loan Amount	Min Credit	Funding Speed	Max Term	Get Started
1	LightStream	6.99%	$100,000	660	Same day	84 months	Get boat loan
2	SoFi	8.99%	$100,000	680	Same day	84 months	Get boat loan
3	Marcus by Goldman Sachs	6.99%	$40,000	640	1-3 days	72 months	Get boat loan
4	Discover	6.99%	$40,000	660	1-3 days	84 months	Get boat loan
5	Upstart	6.70%	$50,000	300	1-2 days	60 months	Get boat loan
6	Avant	9.95%	$35,000	550	1-2 days	60 months	Get boat loan
7	LendingClub	8.98%	$40,000	600	2-4 days	60 months	Get boat loan
8	Prosper	6.99%	$50,000	560	1-3 days	60 months	Get boat loan
9	OneMain Financial	18.00%	$20,000	500	1-2 days	60 months	Get boat loan
10	Upgrade	8.49%	$50,000	560	1-2 days	60 months	Get boat loan

Best Lenders for Personal Loans for Boat Purchase

Nov 1

SoFiBEST RATE

Lowest rates for good credit

6.99%

Min credit: 680

Upstart

Accepts lower credit scores

7.80%

Min credit: 580

Avant

Best for fair credit

9.95%

Min credit: 550

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Best Boat Loan Lenders by Category 2026

Different boat types and budgets require different lenders. Here are the best by category.

Match your boat type and budget to the best lender for optimal rates and terms. Find your best boat loan lender

Category	Best Lender	Why They Win	Key Advantage	Get Started
Best for small boats ($5K-$20K)	Marcus / Discover	6.99% rate, $40K max, 0% origination	Best for small boats	Get small boat loan
Best for mid-size boats ($20K-$50K)	LightStream / SoFi	$100K max, same-day, 84mo term	Best for mid-size	Get mid-size boat loan
Best for large boats ($50K-$100K)	LightStream / SoFi	$100K max, same-day funding	Largest loans	Get large boat loan
Best for lowest rate	LightStream / Marcus / Discover / Prosper	6.99% starting rate	Lowest boat rate	Get lowest rate boat loan
Best for fast funding (same day)	LightStream / SoFi	Same-day funding available	Fastest funding	Get same-day boat loan
Best for low credit (550+)	Avant	550 min credit, $35K max	Flexible credit	Get low credit boat loan
Best for very low credit (300+)	Upstart	300 min credit, AI underwriting	Lowest credit bar	Get 300 credit boat loan
Best for long terms (84 months)	LightStream / SoFi / Discover	84 month max term	Longest terms	Get long-term boat loan
Best for used boats	All personal loan lenders	No age restriction (unlike marine loans)	No age limit	Get used boat loan
Best for any boat type	All personal loan lenders	No type restriction (unlike marine loans)	Any boat type	Get any boat loan

Personal Loan vs Marine Loan vs Other Boat Financing 2026

There are multiple ways to finance a boat. Here is a complete comparison of personal loans vs marine loans vs other options.

Personal loans offer no collateral, no survey, and fast funding. Marine loans offer lower rates but require collateral and survey. Compare boat financing

Financing Option	Starting Rate	Max Amount	Max Term	Collateral	Survey Required	Age Restriction	Key Pros	Key Cons	Get Started
Personal loan	6.99%	$100,000	84 months	None (unsecured)	No	None (any age)	No collateral, no survey, fast, any boat	Higher rate than marine, shorter term, lower max	Get personal loan
Marine loan (secured)	6.50%	$500,000	20 years	Boat (secured)	Yes ($300-$1,000)	Typically <15 years old	Lowest rate, longest term, largest amount	Boat as collateral, survey required, age/size restrictions	Get marine loan
HELOC	7.500%	$100,000+	20 years (draw + repay)	Home (secured)	No	None	Low rate, long term, tax-deductible interest	Home at risk, slow approval, requires equity	Get HELOC
Credit card	18-29%	$5,000-$50,000	Flexible	None	No	None	Immediate, rewards/cashback, any boat	Highest rate, maxes out quickly, hurts credit utilization	Get credit card
Dealer financing	5.99%	Varies by dealer	15-20 years	Boat (secured)	Varies	Varies	Convenient, promotional rates, bundled with purchase	Limited to dealer inventory, may have higher price built in	Get dealer financing
BNPL (Affirm)	0-30%	$17,500	36 months	None	No	None	0% intro, fast approval	Low max amount, limited to participating dealers	Get BNPL
Savings	0%	No limit	N/A	None	No	None	No interest, no debt, strongest negotiating position	Ties up savings, may not have enough	Use savings
401(k) loan	Prime + 1%	$50,000	5 years	401k	No	None	No credit check, pay yourself interest	Reduces retirement, due immediately if you leave job	Get 401k loan

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Boat Purchase Costs by Type 2026

Boat costs vary dramatically by type, size, and condition. Here is a breakdown of common boat purchases.

Use this table to estimate how much you need to borrow for your dream boat. Calculate your boat loan

Boat Type	New Price (2026)	Used Price	Recommended Loan	Monthly Payment (60mo at 8.99%)	Get Started
Jon boat (12-16ft, aluminum)	$2,000-$5,000	$1,000-$3,000	$5,000	$104/mo	Get jon boat loan
Fishing boat (16-18ft, outboard)	$15,000-$30,000	$8,000-$20,000	$20,000	$415/mo	Get fishing boat loan
Pontoon (22-24ft)	$25,000-$50,000	$15,000-$35,000	$35,000	$726/mo	Get pontoon loan
Bowrider (18-22ft)	$30,000-$60,000	$15,000-$40,000	$40,000	$830/mo	Get bowrider loan
Center console (20-25ft)	$40,000-$80,000	$20,000-$50,000	$50,000	$1,037/mo	Get center console loan
Cabin cruiser (25-30ft)	$80,000-$150,000	$40,000-$100,000	$80,000	$1,660/mo	Get cruiser loan
Sailboat (25-35ft)	$40,000-$120,000	$20,000-$80,000	$60,000	$1,245/mo	Get sailboat loan
Wakeboard/ski boat (20-23ft)	$80,000-$150,000	$40,000-$100,000	$80,000	$1,660/mo	Get wakeboard boat loan
Yacht (40-50ft)	$200,000-$500,000	$100,000-$300,000	$100,000 (personal loan max)	$2,074/mo	Get yacht loan
Jet ski/PWC (1-3 units)	$8,000-$20,000	$4,000-$12,000	$15,000	$311/mo	Get jet ski loan

How to Get a Personal Loan for a Boat Purchase: Step-by-Step Guide

Getting a personal loan for a boat is straightforward. Here is a step-by-step guide.

The key: know your boat budget, check your credit, compare lenders, and apply for fast funding. Get your boat loan

Step 1: Determine your boat budget — research boat prices on Boat Trader, YachtWorld, and local dealerships. Factor in insurance ($300-$1,500/year), storage ($500-$3,000/year), maintenance (10% of boat value/year), and fuel
Step 2: Decide new vs used — used boats cost 40-60% less but may need more maintenance. Personal loans have no age restriction (unlike marine loans which typically require <15 years old)
Step 3: Check your credit score — 660+ (LightStream, SoFi, Discover), 640+ (Marcus), 560+ (Prosper, Upgrade), 550+ (Avant), 300+ (Upstart)
Step 4: Compare financing options — personal loan (6.99%, $100K, same-day, no collateral), marine loan (6.50%, $500K, 20yr, boat as collateral), dealer financing (5.99%, convenient but may have higher price built in)
Step 5: Get pre-qualified with 3+ personal loan lenders — soft credit pull, no impact to score. Compare actual rates and terms
Step 6: Choose the best lender — LightStream (6.99%, same-day, $100K, 84mo), SoFi (8.99%, same-day, $100K, 84mo), or Marcus (6.99%, 1-3 days, $40K, 72mo)
Step 7: Apply for the loan — submit full application with ID, proof of income, and bank info. Hard credit pull (drops score 3-5 points)
Step 8: Receive funds and buy the boat — funds deposited in your bank account (same day to 4 days). Buy from any dealer or private seller with cash (may get a discount for cash payment)
Step 9: Register and insure the boat — register with your state DMV/DNR, get boat insurance ($300-$1,500/year depending on boat type and value), and complete any required safety courses
Step 10: Make monthly payments — set up auto-pay to never miss a payment. On-time payments build your credit score. Most personal loans have no prepayment penalty — pay off early to save on interest

Mortgage Calculator

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Down Payment

20.0% down

Interest Rate (%)

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Loan Amount$320,000

Monthly Payment$1,867

Total Interest$352,276

Total Paid$672,276

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Today's Best Mortgage Rates

Updated November 1, 2026

Lender	Rate	APR	Fees	Best For	Action
Veterans United	5.500%	5.641%	$0	VA loan specialist	Check Rate
Navy Federal CU	5.500%	5.628%	$0	No PMI, military only	Check Rate
Better.com	5.625%	5.765%	$0	No lender fees	Check Rate
New American Funding	5.625%	5.780%	$1,095	FHA specialist, fast closing	Check Rate
Rocket Mortgage	5.750%	5.890%	$1,295	Best online experience	Check Rate
CrossCountry Mortgage	5.750%	5.895%	$1,500	Non-QM, complex files	Check Rate

Rates shown are illustrative. Actual rates vary by credit score, location, and loan details.

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Marcus Reid NMLS #1985623, CRMP

Mortgage Strategist & HELOC Specialist

NMLS #1985623 and CRMP. Former HELOC division manager at PNC Bank ($2B portfolio). 11+ years in home equity lending. Featured on CNBC.

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