Background: American friends of ours from, oh let's say, NM have kept their boat in Canada for over 10 years. They looove Canada . . . in the summer. In past years, they would migrate North in April or May and return to their home in late September or early October. Of course because of the pandemic that did not happen last year and is certainly not a sure thing this year. So I have been thinking of how I could help reunite my friends with their lovely boat.
Yes I understand that last year some boats were repatriated back to their owners country using commercial delivery captains that have dual American/Canadian citizenship. And for those that moored their boat on the mainland this was very doable and very affordable. For example Port Roberts, WA is less than 10 NM from Canadian customs at Crescent Beach Marina, BC. The cost is in the order of $1,200 and clearance is painless. However, our friends' boat is moored on Vancouver Island which would increase the delivery captain's logistics and subsequent costs considerably. And currently with 14 day quarantine times on both sides of the border, I am not sure if this service will even be offered this year. So here is my brilliant (or foolhardy) suggested plan of action.
The boat currently lies about 15NM from the US/Canadian border and that puts you in the middle of Haro Strait. So on some nice sunny day with a light NW wind and southerly ebbing tide, I would motor their boat close to the Canadian side of the border. Like really, really close. Say 0.5NM or even closer . . 10 ft??? I would abandoned the boat leaving it to float merrily across the border on its own to our friends waiting on the US side. They would then board their beloved boat and continue on their way.
Stroke of genius or act of lunacy?
Yes I understand that last year some boats were repatriated back to their owners country using commercial delivery captains that have dual American/Canadian citizenship. And for those that moored their boat on the mainland this was very doable and very affordable. For example Port Roberts, WA is less than 10 NM from Canadian customs at Crescent Beach Marina, BC. The cost is in the order of $1,200 and clearance is painless. However, our friends' boat is moored on Vancouver Island which would increase the delivery captain's logistics and subsequent costs considerably. And currently with 14 day quarantine times on both sides of the border, I am not sure if this service will even be offered this year. So here is my brilliant (or foolhardy) suggested plan of action.
The boat currently lies about 15NM from the US/Canadian border and that puts you in the middle of Haro Strait. So on some nice sunny day with a light NW wind and southerly ebbing tide, I would motor their boat close to the Canadian side of the border. Like really, really close. Say 0.5NM or even closer . . 10 ft??? I would abandoned the boat leaving it to float merrily across the border on its own to our friends waiting on the US side. They would then board their beloved boat and continue on their way.
Stroke of genius or act of lunacy?