From Midwest to Florida liveaboard: Loan questions

[MrNoSmiles]

Hey all!

I am looking at a beautiful Hunter 38 in the great lakes to liveaboard in Florida. I currently reside in the Midwest, and would be taking her down the loop from the Mississippi down the Tenn-Tom waterway to the gulf, and a short jaunt from there to Florida.

Any cruisers out there who applied for a loan in the midwest? Who did you use, and how did it go? Would it be better to stick to bigger firms?

Any advice or experiences would be greatly appreciated.