I'm thinking about buying a replacement mast from a fellow catsailor in Canada.

Do any of you guys know how tough it is and what kinds of paper shuffle, inspection, taxes and other hassle I might expect if and when I try to bring it back across the border and into the USA???

...or should I take the mastless cat in and use the mast cradle to bring it out....? How are jails and prisons in Canada these days???

Tom

Take the mastless boat in and get it. A friend of mine had one brought down for him by aonther sailor coming this way and he saved a bundle on taxes.

Lee

Tom,

Here's the current list of Canadian Prison Gangs

Alberta Warriors
Indian Posse
Manitoba Warriors
Native Syndicate
Redd Alert
Saskatchewan Warriors

Source = insideprison.com

the biggest problem you will encounter is that the american dollar is now worthless here. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

That only hurts because it's so true. We used to race in Canada because it was like racing for half price.

Those days are over. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

I am going through Canada to get to the northeast to pick up a boat then back. Do you definately need a passport? I have heard different stories about it... anyone know?

Right now I don't think you need a passport. It does take effect soon though. 1st of the year? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

I drive back and forth from Michigan to New York through Ontario all season. Technically you don't need a passport - however, it does smooth your way through customs. At this time, they don't even care if it's an expired passport, just as long as you have one.

The key to customs is to be ultra polite (yes sir/ma'am), make eye contact with the customs agent, answer the questions directly and have your paperwork immediately available.

They've recently changed the passport rules. You might want to confirm that you dont need a passport while driving. As far as flying, you need a passport now, you used to be able to get away with a license or expire passport, but thats changed.

After the CORK regatta this year I volunteered to bring two Contenders to Florida. The used one went through customs OK. The new one imported from Europe into Canada was in the name of North Sails instead of the owner, who happens to be a loft franchise owner. Big problem. Two and a half days and a Canadian broker later my little pickup and I were made a "temporary Common Carrier" to get through USA customs.

What about driving through canada? Does anyone know how that would work? I am wondering whether the extra 2-3 hr driving time not going through Canada on the way back would be worth it. Now that I think of the possible complications I think i will stay in the US.

I know Rick Bliss had that problem...was headed to Michigan with a box truck full of spares to sell...wanted to take a shortcut through Canada but customs was going to make him pay import duty on everything...so he took the long road.

I can't answer many questions about sailing, but this one I can help with.

The Can/US border really isn't that scary. I have a cabin in Sault Saint Marie MI. We're right on the border and we cross it quite often.

Until Jan 1, 2008, you do NOT need a passport to walk, boat or drive across the border. You are technically supposed to have your birth certificate AND a photo id (drivers license or military id). In 15 years or so of crossing and back, I've NEVER been asked for my BC, only my license. If you have kids traveling with you, bring their BC and if their name doesn't match yours, a letter from the kids parents saying it's ok for them to travel with you.

As was already said, be polite and look the agent in the eye. Turn your radio off, have your window down and your paper work ready before you pull up to the booth. Their questions will be about where you live, where you were, and what you did in Canada (did you buy anything). Don't beat around the bush or spout off about a bunch of junk about your weekend, just answer their questions.

Don't sweat it, remember, these people are just doing their job and they deal with thousands of vacationers crossing the border every day. Be comfortable and act like it's common place for you to be driving across the border. You have as much right to be there as the 200 cars in line behind you. Don't stand out, just be another number.

The question about the extra time to drive around CAN being worth it, only if you're hauling product that still has tags on it or a trunk full or booze, potatoes or dirt. Have to pay duty on the booze and you can't take the potatoes or dirt into CAN <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

That's all I can think of for now.