Crazy Idea - or Great idea?

[john6206]

Short exposition: I've been sailing close to 30 years, almost exclusively on trailer sailers in bays on the Great Lakes. I'm pretty careful about choosing the days that I take my 18' boat out of the bay and into the lake proper, and I don't go very far out of the bay. Good news is the Great Lakes have some very large bays, that you can spend multiple days exploring.

Also, I've been thinking about buying a proper cruising boat for about as long as I can remember, and at 60 years old I've had several reminders recently that we are not promised tomorrow, and that none of us know how many sailing seasons we have left.

OK, so there is this beautiful boat for sale on the opposite side of Lake Huron (boat is on the maple syrup side, I'm on the coca-cola side). It's seems like it's in good shape for its age and seems a good value. My wife loves the cabin, envisions bringing the dogs aboard, and after sleeping in the 18 footer with me for all these years doesn't she deserve a nice cabin?

The yacht broker says the way to do it is to sail up the North Channel, then up the St Mary's river, to Sault Ste. Marie where we will clear customs, then sail down the Michigan side to our marina in Saginaw Bay. My estimate is that it's a 350 mile trip . . . in a boat we don't know . . . undertaken by people who have only docked a 30' boat a handful of times, have never pumped out a head or purchased diesel or changed an impeller. I'd probably spend at least a day sailing around the Georgian Bay to get a feel for her before I started north.

Part of me says this would be a GREAT trip. Honestly, trip of a lifetime stuff. The first half of it is in protected water, and we would really know our boat when we got it home. I'd probably want to allot two weeks to do it.

The other part envisions the surveyor didn't notice that one part that's going to leave us stranded on Drummond Island for a month, or whatever. The 350 mile first voyage could be a confidence builder, or a frustration. Hopefully it's a "crash course."

My original plan for buying a cruising boat was to stay local and day sail until we learned the boat and felt more confident, and THEN go on a larger cruise. Don't know how long it would take to feel confident, but I was envisioning day sailing this year and cruising next year.

Do you think the 350 mile Lake Huron circle tour would be foolhardy?

 

[dlochner]

No, it is not a crazy idea. What you will be taking is a series of day sails. Each day is easily managed.

Regardless of where you buy the boat, somethings, like learning to dock a larger boat is going to be the same. And you will screw up and be entertainment for the bystanders. That will happen whether you buy the boat in your own marina or further afield.

Likewise with the items you mentioned, impellers, belts, etc. You could have a failure 10 miles from home or 100. It just feels better if you are closer to home, the problem is just the same. The 2 times I've had major problems I was not near a marina, and it was a good thing. I had plenty of time problem solve without the fear of running aground or hitting some other boat, it was much less stressful than a few other times I had problems in marinas crowded with expensive (think Hinckleys) boats.

It is easy to get caught up in the emotion of buying a new-to-you boat. Sometimes it is best to slow down and carefully consider the kind of boat you want and need. A good broker will help you identify a boat suitable for you. A poor broker will be more interested in selling you any boat, not the boat that is best for you.

Good Luck!

 

[Rick Webb]

It's all about attitude.

Is it a disaster or an adventure if you are broke down someplace you had no intention on visiting?


If you can endorse this adage:
The problem isn't the problem. The problem is your attitude towards the problem.
Go for it

If you are timid about accepting the challenge, there are dozens of strategies to mitigate the inconveniences all you have to contribute is time, energy, and money.

 

[dlochner]

After posting, I read an article on Off Center Harbor by boatbuilder Harry Bryant. He quotes Goethe, a quote I thought was appropriate for this thread.

“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness, concerning all acts of initiative (and creation). There is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would otherwise never have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in ones favour all manor of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. What ever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now.”

 

[JBP-PA]

I would arrange to spend a week or so on the boat where it currently is, don't just show up and sail away. Spend some time going over it, change the oil and impeller. Do day sails.

Join Boat US and get the towing package. It's cheap insurance.

You said the boat is on Lake Huron? Sault Ste Marie and St Mary's River imply it is on Lake Superior.

 

[john6206]

@JBP-PA
The St May’s connects Superior and Huron. The Soo is at the mouth of Superior for sure, but we wouldn’t need to go that far to clear customs. I think customs is on the Huron side of the locks.

 

[LloydB]

Now I more understand that trailer sailors commonly speak roads and launch sites rather than lee shore and draft it's kinda like the difference between English and American, ea?

 

[john6206]

?????
@LloydB
if there is something that trailer sailers do, I’m probably guilty,

but what did I say that was weird?

 

[Project_Mayhem]

Would you regret not doing this sail? Probably.

Spend some time on the boat before you set sail. Sleep onboard. This will help you figure out all the things that you may need. Many of the things you discover won't be in any book.

Get a survey and/or diesel mechanic give it a once over for piece of mind. Do a detailed inspection yourself. Practice docking or book lessons. Pumping out is easy. I'd rather pump out a boat than scrub a toilet.

I think the biggest difference between sailing this and a smaller boat is folding the main. You will likely have some kind of system to help manage it. From what I've read and seen, sailboat basics are roughly the same all the way up to about 60'. I've been on a multimasted 140' boat. The overall mechanics were VERY similar to that of a small boat. The crew stated that they could probably get away with 2-4 people.

Anyways, if your diesel breaks down, you can sail to your next destination and get towed into a slip. If something else happens to the boat, it will be no different than what you've dealt with before. If your head breaks down, well, bust out a bucket or bring a portapottie as a backup.

I just moved from an O'Day 25 to a Catalina 30. Previous to that I owned a Starwind 19. The systems are very similar and everything I learned has carried over. After working on the C30 for a bit, I'm feeling very confident about it and its systems. It's maiden voyage will be a 4-5 hour sail south on Lake Michigan. You lead me to believe that you have the ability to learn all the skills necessary to fix and maintain this new boat but are lacking the confidence to make what will be a trip you will never forget. Let us help you build the confidence and knowledge needed to safely make this trip of a lifetime a reality

 

[JBP-PA]

@JBP-PA
The St May’s connects Superior and Huron. The Soo is at the mouth of Superior for sure, but we wouldn’t need to go that far to clear customs. I think customs is on the Huron side of the locks.

Exactly. You said the boat is on Lake Huron, so why do you need to go through Sault Ste Marie to get to Saginaw.

 

[ShawnL]

Depending on where the boat is in Canada, there's only so many places to clear into the US. Detroit, Port Huron, and Sault Ste Marie for sure. Maybe others. I know at one time there were customs kiosks on Mackinac Island, so people from Canada could clear-in there via the kiosk. Though there might be other restrictions on where / how you can do it if you're bringing in a boat you purchased out of the country.

 

[jssailem]

As a foreigner, what are the tax considerations of buying a boat in Canada and then importing it to the US?

 

[dLj]

It's a 30 footer - what boat is it? Just a thought, are you looking for competent crew??? I've always wanted to sail the North Channel...

dj

 

[JBP-PA]

Depending on where the boat is in Canada, there's only so many places to clear into the US. Detroit, Port Huron, and Sault Ste Marie for sure. Maybe others. I know at one time there were customs kiosks on Mackinac Island, so people from Canada could clear-in there via the kiosk. Though there might be other restrictions on where / how you can do it if you're bringing in a boat you purchased out of the country.

Saginaw Bay is also a port of entry, but don't most people use ROAM. Of course with a newly purchased boat it might be different.

 

[dlochner]

Depending on where the boat is in Canada, there's only so many places to clear into the US. Detroit, Port Huron, and Sault Ste Marie for sure. Maybe others. I know at one time there were customs kiosks on Mackinac Island, so people from Canada could clear-in there via the kiosk. Though there might be other restrictions on where / how you can do it if you're bringing in a boat you purchased out of the country.

If you have the ROAM app, you can clear in just about anywhere. I have used it many times clearing in from Canada and from the Bahamas. No visit from the inspector, fill out a form, send it in. A few minutes later they will either clear you in, or do a video call. The only issue might be importing the boat, do your homework and get everything in order before you try to import the boat. Or, shop around for a boat that is less of a hassle getting to your home port.

CBP Reporting Offsite Arrival – Mobile (ROAM)

Securing America's Borders

www.cbp.gov

 

[garymalmgren]

Part of me says this would be a GREAT trip. Honestly, trip of a lifetime stuff.

When all else fails refer to Van Morrison.

 

[Skipper J]

I'm of a similar age and have an 18-foot boat. I hope I can step up to something larger someday and do long cruises. Life has, shall we say, closed in considerably in the past couple of years. I'm glad I put my Sanibel in the driveway when I did. I have something to work on. One health emergency for you or a family member can shut lots of doors quickly. You may regret not getting the boat when you had the chance. You'll never find the perfect boat, but you'll find something you can live with.

I can't speak to the specifics of the route, but I would really want to know that the through-hulls were sound. I'd want a life raft on board for crossing Lake Huron. Plus foul-weather gear. You would wait until spring or summer, I hope? And be ready to walk away if the boat isn't sound or the right fit?

I'd carry other offshore stuff like an Epirb and a communication device like a Garmin Inreach. I'd study up on docking and remember that a bigger boat has more freeboard and will drift far longer after you cut the engine. You can be prepared make good use of a roving fender. There's a docking practice app out there too. You and your wife should be on the same page so you don't wound your relationship when an emergency arises.

When I was stationed at a Coast Guard small boat station in Lake Huron, we used to advise people to stay three miles out because of the rocks. But if you regularly sail there no doubt you are familiar with them!

I was once on a bareboat charter in Georgian Bay. Lovely place, though Wingfield Basin was full of flies that bit our ankles. It was warm enough to swim, and the water was very clear. You may want more than a day for this part of the world.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

 

[Marmalade]

@john6206 - assume you would purchase this boat and bring it back to Michigan in the early summer? Or even in May? The water in northern Huron is going to be cold... and heading further north to the Sault... colder.

The good cruising time for those waters is late-summer, imho.

You don't say exactly where on the Georgian Bay you'd be launching from, so difficult to plot the options, but I'd seriously consider Port Huron for customs. No experience, but boats move between PoHo and Sarnia... so should be experience around to help.

If the mileage is close... I'd head south rather than north for this first adventure... then plan an epic North Channel adventure when you're ready, you'll want to enjoy that!

 

[Indysailor]

I guess you're not going to do this until next season. Take an online diesel and electric course, bring aboard and extra battery unless you can verify the integrity of the one that's on the boat, bring extra belts hose clamps, your tool bag. Take a trip south for an ASA docking endorsement class and whatever else it may take to help you at least know what you don't know. Then go for it and report back on the journey.

 

[Captain Larry-DH]

As a foreigner, what are the tax considerations of buying a boat in Canada and then importing it to the US?

I bought my boat in the islands and imported it to the US. The import duty is only 1%. I used an import agent so I wouldn't screw up the paperwork (it’s time consuming for a neophyte to understand) and it cost about $800 US for the agent. You might need to post a customs bond. Agent can advise. Your engine(s) must have EPA certification/classification plates on them and you need to have photos of those and engine serial number plates. (Maybe certain older engines are exempt but you need to look into it. I’m sure you can’t import 2-stroke engines of any age.).
Edit: I think you might need to bring it into a port of entry that has a customs office serving that port. Again, ask your import agent. I brought mine into Ft Lauderdale and I remember the agent said that makes it easier “because they do a lot of these” (but I never asked why specifically). The import agent also assembled a folder of travel documentation in case it was needed for authorities while registrations were pending. The boat sailed here on its own bottom. Overall it was helpful to have hired them.