Canadian Crossing

Sumner · Jan 1, 2011

We went across in 2009 at a remote crossing in Idaho and you don't do anything on the U.S. side, just leave. On the Canadian side the guy looked at the full Suburban and boat from inside of his post and asked us a couple questions and we went on.

Coming back into the U.S. at an even more remote crossing it took about an hour. We had our passports and such and the guard at first said that they would just take a quick look and we had to go wait inside the station. Then they took dogs around the Suburban and Trailer and came back in and said that they wanted to look in the boat. I had to put the ladder down and unlock the cabin and then had to go back inside and wait.

Finally he came in and asked what was in the silver bags (double doodie/Wag bags)

. When I told him he had the look of like he was very glad that he hadn't opened one.

Inside I started to worry if while we were eating on the other side what if someone had planted some drugs on the boat/trailer for us to carry over for them. That would of been a real mess.

In Canada we didn't meet any officials on the .....

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/Macgregor Trips-2-Priest/Priest-Kootenay-index.html

....water, but you should review their restrictions which aren't as loose as in the states. I think if you are there for less than 1 or 2 months that some don't apply to you. Google them and you will find some info.

Have fun, we might do that trip at some point. We did enjoy Canada,

Sum

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Sumner · Jan 1, 2011

See if these links help....

http://boating.ncf.ca/

http://www.landfallnavigation.com/bj008.html

http://thenorthchannel.ca/border.html

http://thenorthchannel.ca/thessalon-municipal.html

They are ones I have from when we thought we might go to the North Channel,

Sum

John Nantz · Jan 1, 2011

Skipers license required?

In BC a skippers license is required now to operate a boat there. Don't know if this is a province or national requirement but it might be something worth checking out.

Scott B · Jan 2, 2011

John Nantz said:
In BC a skippers license is required now to operate a boat there. Don't know if this is a province or national requirement but it might be something worth checking out.

No its not a skippers license. In Canada we are required to have the Pleasure Craft Operators Card for any pleasure craft with a motor. This applies to sailboats with an auxillery motor. Non-residents are not required to have this card unless thay are in Canada over 45 days.

Information on regulations for visitors Tranport Canada Visitor Information.

Scott B · Jan 2, 2011

How long are you staying. Will determine how far you can get. Lots of great anchorages etc. in that area.

I would highly reccomend getting the Ports Crusing Guide for the North Channel. It has all the info on where to anchor, marinas, where to stock up on more supplies, pump-out, fuel etc.

David in Sandusky · Jan 2, 2011

Only Customs & Immigration

We cross Lake Erie to Canada most summers, and sailed up Lake Huron to the North Channel and back last summer. Clearing Customs and Immigration both ways is the only formality. It sounds like you will clear them in your car/trailer to and from Gore Bay.

Entering Canada by boat you call 1-888-CAN-PASS. Returning to the US, you go through Immigration on Drummond Island. An I-68 or Nexus card allow you to return to the US with a phone call. Either way, they can ask you to stay put for an inspection on entry at their option.

Overall, the Canadians are more welcoming, and the US officials are more overtly officious about terrorism & drugs.

kenn · Jan 2, 2011

The TrailerSailor site has a great summary of Canadian compliance and tips for US sailors heading north.

Sumner, your "baggie" potty doesn't exactly meet the Canadian spec, but as long as "stuff" didn't end up in the lake, you'll hear no complaint from me.

We hope to do the North Channel ourselves, some year.

Sumner · Jan 2, 2011

kenn said:
......Sumner, your "baggie" potty doesn't exactly meet the Canadian spec, but as long as "stuff" didn't end up in the lake, you'll hear no complaint from me. ....

Yep nothing ended up in the lake. I had a hard time finding out if the Double Doodie/Wag Bags were ok or not up there. Strange as the Double Doodie....

http://relianceproducts.com/products/sanitation/191.html

....Bags come from a Canadian Company...

http://relianceproducts.com/contact.html

I'm aware that the Province of Ontario requires you to have a pump-out on the boat, but the other provinces as far as I know only require a portable toilet with no dumping. The other fly in the ointment is that it seems like some things are not enforced if you are in the country for less than the 45 day limit or whatever it is. The Double Doodie bags might be in kind of a gray area regarding us using them.

If we couldn't use them for sure then we most likely wouldn't return as the way we cruise they are essential to us. We won't be going to Ontario :cry:. My grandfather on my dad's side is from Ottawa.

I'd be interested if you could give me a definitive answer regarding their use in the other provinces.

Thanks,

Sum

Our Trips to Lake Powell, UT - Kootenay Lake, Canada - Priest Lake, ID

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ed on manitoulin · Jan 2, 2011

Hi Abe. As Scott B mentioned the Ports Crusing Guide is a must have...tons of maps & info. I,m hoping to get out on the north channel as well this year in my 92 Mac. I,m looking forward to going to the Benjamin Islands. Pretty awesome pics online of the area!

Sumner · Jan 2, 2011

atwhite2 said:
... A little concerning about the portable head situation. I have mine mounted with clips to the flooring, but have NO "pump-out" facilities. I have no such plans to install such a system...just dont want to deal with it. Is there anyone out there that has a definitive answer for sailing in the Ontario Provence? Otherwise I will take the fine if caught. ....,

I just did some more looking and forgot that the north channel is in Ontario Province, my bad

.

This doesn't sound too good..

http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/en/myenvironment/away/boats.php

...and says you need a holding tank for grey water and a pump-out for black water.

Now here is a possible out if you go before May 2012

http://ontarioboatingleague.ca/page14.html

Quote:

"Free-standing portable toilets (i.e. porta potty) are not permitted onboard. Boats fitted with a toilet must have a holding tank, or, a marine sanitation device. (Boats built prior to May 3, 2007 have until May 3, 2012 to comply. Boats built on or after May 3, 2007 must comply now)."

You might pose the question here also....

http://bbs.trailersailor.com/forums/macgregor/index.cgi

...as some of these guys have Macs and cruise the North Channel and are Canadians. I think I will anyway.

I wonder what the fine would be? Here is what some think and possibly being a visitor bypasses the issue...

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=159875

Sum

Our Trips to Lake Powell, UT - Kootenay Lake, Canada - Priest Lake, ID

Our Mac Pages

Mac-Venture Links

Scott B · Jan 2, 2011

Sumner said:
I just did some more looking and forgot that the north channel is in Ontario Province, my bad .

This doesn't sound too good..

http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/en/myenvironment/away/boats.php

...and says you need a holding tank for grey water and a pump-out for black water.

Those are only recommendations and are not regulations....... yet.

Scott B · Jan 2, 2011

Sumner said:
My grandfather on my dad's side is from Ottawa.

Not to hijack the thread.... but small world.... both my Grandfathers and myself are from Ottawa.

Scott B · Jan 3, 2011

If you get that far, make sure you check out Baie Fine, at the East end of the North Channel

flynfol · Jan 4, 2011

Hi Abe,

Depending on your schedule, you can put in at Cedarville in the Les Chenneaux chain or Detour (about 450-475 miles from Chicago) and sail around Drummond Island. No worries with customs, or pump out. Many places to explore or anchor depending on weather. Trust me, weather up there can change fast. Yacht Haven has a fine marina with all the amenities. Gives you a taste of the North Channel......you WILL go back

John

Freedom77 · Jan 4, 2011

In the mid 70's we hauled our V-25 from L.A. to Washington. Launched in the U.S. and cruised the San Juans. Restrictions were not so much then and we spent two weeks, mostly getting rained on. It was marvelous. Sailed into the backside of Bouchard Gardens on Victoria and there is a dock there where you can enter the gardens from the sea side. Got fresh fish, clams, lobster, crabs, etc. almost everyday right out of the water. Canadians were super nice folks. Fair winds and full sails...

Bob 04 H260 · Jan 8, 2011

there is a page here for boating visitors to Canada,

http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marinesafety/debs-obs-quick-quick_visitor-1610.htm#f

You do not need a grey water tank in Ontario, it is only a suggestion.

You do however need a deck pump out for a porta pottie. It is a $40 modification you will be happy to have once you have used it once. In a pinch the tank can still be sealed up and carried out of the boat to emptied.

The reason for this requirement are the problems in trying to dump a porta pottie tank. There are dangers having someone trying to carry 5 gallons of sewage around docks to a place to dump it. Any marina I have been in the USA or Canada do not have a facility to handle dumping a porta pottie tank. Most marinas will not allow you to pour one into a toilet. It is difficult to properly empty a tank on a dock with a pumpout hose without getting sewage into the lake and all over the pumpout hose and dock. Most people want to rinse out the tank before taking it back into the boat, how can you do that on a dock or in a bathroom ?

It is so easy to empty and rinse the porta pottie tank with a deck fitting I just don't understand the resistance to this simple solution.

Bob