[SloopJonB]

A warning for all the Canadians here. I just found out today that a Canadian with a Canadian boat in an American marina cannot legally even show it to prospective buyers. It HAS to be done by a broker.

Specifics are; we went down to Point Roberts to look at a Canadian owned and registered boat. At the border when the guard asked what we were doing and I told him, he pulled us aside and went over the whole thing. Upshot was that WE were not doing anything wrong but the boats owner was - it's regarded as working in the States.

I had assumed that we would have to do the title transfer and so forth in Canada but it goes way beyond that - the entire process has to be done by an American.

Not something to screw around with either - they could lose the boat and be banned from the USA for 10 years if they are caught circumventing the rules.

 

[Faster]

I was aware of that, actually.. a colleague had to hire a broker to sell a Tanzer 26 he kept in Pt Roberts - not a pleasant prospect for a $3K boat...

Good 'heads up'....

 

[sony2000]

It has even got to the point where a non national, that is working on something he owns, like a boat or condo, is considered to be "working" and thus illegal in his doings.

 

[norahs arc]

Hadn't heard that one but I have been hearing of canadian boaters having "a hard time" visiting the US. Some say they will not go again. I don't plan on going again myself. Too bad.
We still welcome american yachts and their crews - lets keep on welcoming them and making it a pleasant experience for them.

 

[Minnewaska]

Hadn't heard that one but I have been hearing of canadian boaters having "a hard time" visiting the US. Some say they will not go again. I don't plan on going again myself. Too bad.
We still welcome american yachts and their crews - lets keep on welcoming them and making it a pleasant experience for them.

I'm sure Canadian boaters aren't having any more trouble cruising the US than anyone else. Nothing against Canadians, it's a border thing, after a few thousand innocent friends were killed.

We have a few Canadians that keep their boat in our marina year round. At least one was quite clear he was trying to avoid Canadian taxes and liked sailing New England anyway. He drives 9 hrs to get to his boat!! Wow. Very nice guy.

I'm surprised that selling one's own recreational property is consider working, but I've heard stranger things. Generally written on the backside of someone taking advantage, so everyone has to pay the price.

 

[MikeOReilly]

Hadn't heard that one but I have been hearing of canadian boaters having "a hard time" visiting the US. Some say they will not go again. I don't plan on going again myself. Too bad.
We still welcome american yachts and their crews - lets keep on welcoming them and making it a pleasant experience for them.

I've never heard this sentiment mentioned in my Great Lakes cruising. Canadians and Americans routinely hop across our mutual border without a lot of fuss or bother. Sure you have to follow the rules, but it's not a big deal here. Perhaps it's different elsewhere.

Back in the good old days (prior to 9/11) it was pretty common to not even worry about clearing in when travelling in the more remote areas (Lake Superior). Border services on both sides no longer have anyflexibility (and no sense of humour) around these things, but I've never heard about any special problems.

 

[bljones]

Nothing against Canadians, it's a border thing, after a few thousand innocent friends were killed....

... by "students" with valid visas issued by the American government, studying at an American school, inside the United States of America, taught by American instructors, who then hijacked American built airplanes, flown by American airlines, that departed from American airports.

Please tell me again how it is a "border thing."

 

[thesnort]

Okay, I've got to ask a question or two on this one since I intend on buying one of those Canadian-registered boats currently dry-docked in a U.S. marina.

I'm assuming the boat can be taken back to Canadian waters and then sold to said American without any hassles? Seems easy enough, n'est ce pas?

 

[bljones]

Sure.

 

[MikeOReilly]

Okay, I've got to ask a question or two on this one since I intend on buying one of those Canadian-registered boats currently dry-docked in a U.S. marina. I'm assuming the boat can be taken back to Canadian waters and then sold to said American without any hassles? Seems easy enough, n'est ce pas?

Hmmm, if you're referring to one that Minnewaska mentions, then it sounds like it may never have been imported into Canada (to avoid Canadian tax). If so, then as soon as it is moved here it will be subject to sales tax (GST and PST). Other than that, no problem that I can see.

 

[SloopJonB]

After what I just experienced, I'd check with Customs and Border Protection with the specifics. If you get it wrong they can confiscate the boat.

They are not very understanding or flexible either.

 

[Faster]

After what I just experienced, I'd check with Customs and Border Protection with the specifics. If you get it wrong they can confiscate the boat.

They are not very understanding or flexible either.

Sounds like there's a story there.... ... today's adventure?

 

[Minnewaska]

... by "students" with valid visas issued by the American government, studying at an American school, inside the United States of America, taught by American instructors, who then hijacked American built airplanes, flown by American airlines, that departed from American airports.

Please tell me again how it is a "border thing."

I had friends in that building. Anyone ever tell you, you're a real piece of work.

After 9/11, boarder security became a greater priority for obvious reasons to everyone but the feeble minded. I hope to hell they never let you in. Actually, you should hope.

 

[SloopJonB]

Canadians are a bit touchy on that subject after all the bull$hit about them coming in through Canada - even the woman who was made head of Homeland spouted that ignorant $hit.

That was after we took care of all your stranded travellers so it was a bit of a spit in the eye.

 

[SloopJonB]

Sounds like there's a story there.... ... today's adventure?

Nope - just the one the other day that triggered this thread.

I think we all know how officious border clerks can be, especially now that they have guns.

Actually that's not fair - the vast majority of them are just fine but if you get a snotty one, look out.

 

[MikeOReilly]

After what I just experienced, I'd check with Customs and Border Protection with the specifics. If you get it wrong they can confiscate the boat.

They are not very understanding or flexible either.

Agreed. Back before 9/11 the border was pretty porous, and much easier to cross for both Canadians and Americans. It wasn't uncommon to have people crossing without clearing up here in the wilds of Lake Superior. It's become a lot more difficult now, a small number of the guards take their jobs waaaay too seriously, and no one has a sense of humour anymore.

Definitely follow the rules, and make sure you know what you're doing when importing a boat into either country. Make sure there aren't any known-unknowns with the boat you are dealing with. But importing a boat into Canada is not a difficult task -- just a somewhat expensive one .

 

[bljones]

I had friends in that building. Anyone ever tell you, you're a real piece of work.

After 9/11, boarder security became a greater priority for obvious reasons to everyone but the feeble minded. I hope to hell they never let you in. Actually, you should hope.

You weren't the only one with friends in those buildings and on those planes, so get off your outrage soapbox.
The border wasn't the problem, and it takes a feebleminded piece of work to think that it was. I guess that is easier to accept than the reality that American flight instructors at American schools trained legal immigrants to become the perpetrators of the most tragic terror attack in American history.

 

[blt2ski]

What I have been told by many US brokers, is said Canadian boat needs to be taken north across the border, papers signed, the brought south to the US side, US papers at customs taken care of, and away one goes with their new boat.

Would assume, if an American keeps said boat in Canada, same would apply.

Not sure what to say on the Canadian owned boat that has never been to Canada. Would assume sign paperwork down here, and enjoy down this way.

Of course, if this seems to easy, talk to an attorney, or someone with in the appropriate taxing authority office of said state/country or equal.

I will not disCUSS the 9-11 BS, other than to say, like possibly Roosevelt in WWII, more knew what was going to happen that day than one would like to think.

marty

 

[Minnewaska]

You weren't the only one with friends in those buildings and on those planes, so get off your outrage soapbox.
The border wasn't the problem, and it takes a feebleminded piece of work to think that it was. I guess that is easier to accept than the reality that American flight instructors at American schools trained legal immigrants to become the perpetrators of the most tragic terror attack in American history.

You are such a piece of trash, which nearly goes without saying around here. I never said anything about those attacks being a border problem, I said the borders have been tighter as a result of those attacks. Which is true.

You are as low as they come. But, you've proven it before. Feel free to take a free swing in response. I hope you suffer the same one day, as you've dealt out, you self righteous (*%&^%*.

 

[Rezz]

Seriously... A thread about selling a boat devolves to name calling?