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yvonne13 · 22-08-2016, 18:20

We recently bought a boat in everette wa, and are trying to get it to at least ketchikan alaska before the weather gets bad. we are encountering a bunch of info re the customs on both sides....some say dont worry if you are in transit, others are intent on reporting. we do not have the nexus cann or enhanced id's, however we are not wanting to get off in canada...we feel we can transient thru, but what if we need fuel, or need to escape weather....what then?

**JPA Cate** · 22-08-2016, 18:30

Plan on getting cleared in to Canada, and then, if anything untoward happens, stopping for fuel or repairs you will be a welcome guest, instead of someone who was trying to avoid formalities.

Yes, you can transit Canadian waters without checking in, but other countries expect you to do the right thing, and rightly or wrongly, when you don't, their suspicions are aroused. Furthermore, once a first world country gets you on their bad guys list, it's all over the world really fast, and a minor transgression will follow you all your cruising days.

I hope you take this to heart, find out which hoops you need to jump through, and follow through. I'd hate to see Yanks earn any more discredit.

Ann

**newhaul** · 22-08-2016, 18:39

OK what boat did you purchase? My recomendation would entirely depend on your answer. For me with my boat the outside would be an option

model 10 · 22-08-2016, 18:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by newhaul

For me with my boat the outside would be an option

Going north or south? Going north without checking in is not going to make sense to the Canadians.

**newhaul** · 22-08-2016, 18:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guy

Going north or south? Going north without checking in is not going to make sense to the Canadians.

Depends on home port if they came south from Alaska to purchase and direct transit home it would

Paul L · 22-08-2016, 18:54

It's just too easy to clear into Western Canada to bother with the potential hassles if you don't.

yvonne13 · 22-08-2016, 22:16

we bought a 34 californian, which originally comes from sitka. seems like going on the outside at this time of year might be a little sketchy.
i do agree that dealing with potential customs ick is totally avoidable given a person has time to get all the paperwork.
we have twin cats and carry 200 gal of fuel in each. we figured that going on the inside, we would need to refuel at least once, somewhere around queen charlotte sound.
decisions, decisions...

**newhaul** · 22-08-2016, 22:21

Stink pot then your best option would be check in with Canada and go up inside .
Kinda late in the year for outside on power not to mention the fuel demands.

UNCIVILIZED · 22-08-2016, 22:51

On this, I'm concurring with Ann. Ship anything that you don't need onboard for the trip, or take it up via the ferry, etc. As Murphy's Law says that you will need to stop along the way. It's pretty hard not to on the trip in question. Even without Mr. Murphy's intervention.

deblen · 22-08-2016, 23:42

Call CBSA (Ca. Customs) first. Do not bring firearms.

Travellers - Reporting requirements for private boaters

Have a good trip

/ Len

Schooner Chandlery · 22-08-2016, 23:43

If you're going up inside then check in for sure. If outside you can just call in. We went up outside in April and just called in. "Outside" includes Hecate Strait. I called and asked the Canadians what to do. You CAN anchor in emergency even if just on a transit permit as we were on. We DID that due to an unexpected full storm not forecast until after our entry (under transit permit) into Canada. As the wx buoy right outside our anchorage in Sidney Inlet on the west side of Vancouver Island recorded the winds ran steady at 60 kt and the waves at 5 meters (26 ft) we were happy to have ducked in for 48 hrs.

We only did as we did because it's a long haul from Neah Bay to get checked in to Canada off season when Uculet and Bamnfield check ins are closed. They would be open now.

Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum

**JPA Cate** · 23-08-2016, 01:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by UNCIVILIZED

On this, I'm concurring with Ann. Ship anything that you don't need onboard for the trip, or take it up via the ferry, etc. As Murphy's Law says that you will need to stop along the way. It's pretty hard not to on the trip in question. Even without Mr. Murphy's intervention.

Thanks for this, Uncivilized. In fact, when people screw up, it not only rebounds on them, but on all the rest of the cruisers. There is a reason the SSCA* has always promoted leaving a clean wake.

Ann

*Seven Seas Cruising Association

UNCIVILIZED · 23-08-2016, 02:01

I said what it did, & in such a manner as to avoid mentioning firearms. But they were what I was referring to (obviously). As they're the item which came to mind as to why the OP would wish to avoid doing the usual Customs proceedures.

Honestly, I don't know why they're such an issue. It's quite silly. But my befuddlement on this isn't going to get a government to change policy. So the rules about them need to be worked with, & or, around. Period.