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Posts: 91
| Hi Guys,
I have a question for you that I hope to get some answers. I'm planning a fishing trip to Canada in late May, and is my first time that I would be taking my boat across the border. Is there anything I should know, paperwork, documents, etc. I know about having a passport, but wondered about anything regarding my boat. Thanks
for all your input.
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| I have taken my boat to Canada countless times and no extra paperwork was ever requested. I have never heard of extra documentation requested. They might decide to go through your boat so be prepared and don't take anything that could get you in trouble guns/drugs/too much booze or too many cigarettes. |
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Posts: 3480
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | Hiya,
I always make sure I carry my registration card for the boat, just in case I ever get checked on the water. In Minnesota, that is the law.
As for getting anything else checked out, that would happen at the border or on the road. As such, your Driver's license and Passport would be enough to ensure ownership of the truck, boat, trailer etc.
To this day I have been checked 2 times requiring me to just pull off to the side after crossing into Canada, where they ran my identification. Pretty much just a routine random check. The first time our group ever got checked, we had about 20 of us on a trip up to Central Manitoba. That delayed us at Pembina about an hour and a half due to a couple of guys having a mark on their record from many many years past (well over 10 years)... That was before passports were required... They didn't check the boats, though.
Overall, you should be o.k if you follow what the previous post stated. Best to play safe on all counts rather than try to pull the wool over the border patrol eyes.
Steve
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Posts: 16632
Location: The desert | Be friendly and courteous and you'll cruise through. |
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| What are you fishing for in may, perch??? |
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Posts: 153
Location: Antigo Wi. | I have taken my boat across the border many times and there is no extra paperwork that I know of.The only thing I get from my Insurance company is a proof of insurance card for my boat. |
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| I have crossed the Canada boarder 4 times with my boat and never been stopped or asked for any paperwork. I was worried the first time and someone recommended I should remove my boat cover before I go through customs. Which I always do. I had one custom agent reach in and open a couple of my floor storage drawers. Besides that, no other issues. |
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Posts: 1767
Location: Lake Country, Wisconsin | I have never been asked for any paperwork on the boat. They also don't care about the cover either...in my experience you are more likely to get through without hassles if you have a boat behind you, they know what you are there for... |
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| I have driven my truck and my boat, my truck and someone else's boat, someone else's truck and my boat, someone else's truck and someone else's boat and have never been asked about the truck or the boat while entering into Canada for the past 10 years.
They are focused on the people, not the vehicles or boats when trying to enter Canada.
A couple tips while crossing into Canada ... take your hat off, take your sunglasses off, answer yes or no, look them in the eye, be honest and you will be fine.
Midge |
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| I have a few more items you will want to do. Make sure your drain plug is out, if heading to Ontario the boating laws were to have 2 paddles in the boat, and finally, if your heading to the Northwest angle you may want some sort of protection for your boat and trailer from the miles of gravel roads you will be on. Sorry I just remembered that you should contact your insurance agent to let him know you are bringing your boat out of the country, he may issue you a special insurance card. I hope this helps. |
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Posts: 91
| Thanks a lot everyone! All great suggestions. As far as fish species, just going to have some fun, not planning on bringing anything back. Just a couple of buddies getting away! Whatever we catch, goes right back in!
"Nothing like being on the water at sunrise or sunset!" |
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Posts: 285
Location: NE Wisconsin |
A couple tips while crossing into Canada ... take your hat off, take your sunglasses off, answer yes or no, look them in the eye, be honest and you will be fine.
Midge
Sounds like the advise I was given years ago. It worked out great for us. Haven't been searched since 1986.
Edited by Johnnie 1/18/2012 8:52 AM
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Posts: 49
| Yep, all good answers, best to treat those border folks with total respect.
"Whats happenin cap'tn?" , with a cap on backwards........probably not a good way to start off.
I wouldn't try the extra alcohol or cigarette thing either.
Or livestock....or fireworks.....
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| Well, be sure that all of your documents are in order and the registration number on the side of the boat matches what is on your registration card. I learned a scary lesson crossing at Detroit in 2007. I had painted the temporary registration number on the side of the boat after first buying it in 2005. (I was a first timer.) I didn't realize that the permanent registration number would be different. I didn't check the two numbers before starting off on my trip. Oh, did I raise some eyebrows. The Canadian authorities ultimately determined that I indeed was the owner of the boat; and they let me enter after a 45 minute delay. I was afraid they would send me back. And I was scheduled to meet folks at the Northeast corner of Lac St. Clair that afternoon. The dunce had struck again! |
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Posts: 1916
Location: Greenfield, WI | One nasty surprise that I had become informed about, is if any of your party has ever been arrested for DWI in the US, they will not be allowed into Canada.
Although few people use electronic radar detectors, or now adays laser detectors, they will be confiscated if they are discovered.
And handguns are a big issue in Canada.
Answer any questions at the border simply and briefly. Don't volunteer any information that isn't asked about.
Be polite!
Edited by Steve Van Lieshout 1/18/2012 9:46 AM
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Posts: 203
Location: Germantown, WI | It might depend on where you cross the border. I'm guessing that you are either going to cross the border at Buffalo or the Thousand Islands. I've never taken my boat across at either location, but you might want to check with those that have crossed there in the past year. I ususally cross the border at Detroit/Windsor. Since 9/11 it has been a real hassle crossing here with the boat. For most of that time they made everyone stop and temporarily register the boat in Canada at the Customs station. They asked for my boat registration (no problem) and my trailer registration (which is not required in WI for my boat). Usually I could explain that we don't have to register our boat trailers in WI, but a couple of times the agent didn't get it and I had to come up with a serial number from the trailer so they would have something to put on the form. Depending on how many people were waiting and how many agents there were it could take anywhere from 10 minutes to 45 minutes to fill out this free registration. I don't think they required it this past year. I understand that the guys who cross the border from Minnesota inot Canada never had to fill out this paperwork. I don't know about NY. Be sure to bring your passport too. You'll need it to get back into the US. If you don't have one you better apply for one now.
Edited by MUSKYLUND1 1/18/2012 10:43 AM
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Posts: 225
Location: Ontario, Canada | I live in Ontario less than a 1/2 hour from the Niagara River border crossings(Buffalo & Niagara Falls), I have crossed many times, and with a boat or utility trailer with kayaks and a canoe...Nothing special needs to be done, though proof of ownership of not only your car but also your boat would be prudent. If you have a criminal record its the same as if a Canadian were to try crossing in the USA, you very well may be turned back. Don't try to cross with a handgun, rifles and shotguns are ok if ou have proper documentation and declare them to Canada Customs. Don't try to bring any pot across, we have lots here! LOL |
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Posts: 906
Location: Warroad, Mn | Unless you are planning on leaving your boat over 30 days there shouldn't be a problem. Doesn't hurt to have proof of insurance and the title card along. Make sure your boat licence is up to date with the correct decal stuck on the boat. Probably been through 500 times with out a problem. Doug Johnson |
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Posts: 4
Location: Naperville, IL | I always take along a non-resident insurance card for both my boat and truck......just in case. I've never needed it, but at least I do have proof of insurance. |
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Posts: 3868
| Tips for Driving Across the Border into Canada
ttp://gocanada.about.com/od/faqscrossingtheborde1/p/border_tips.htm
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Posts: 3868
| I know a guy who rolls his own cigs and he had a pack of Zig Zag papers on his dashboard! Needless to say he was detained and his rig was searched to the bone. No probs though, he was all legal, but a very stupid reason for a risky delay. |
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Posts: 1462
Location: Davenport, IA | Is boat insurance required? |
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