Cruising Question

[Seeker]

We sent the check off to Les yesterday, for our new 22 C-Dory, and now are making plans for our shake down cruise.

We'll travel from Louisiana back to Whidbey island to pick up the boat, and cruise around Pueget Sound for a few days, before heading up to Alaska.

The boat won't be registered, or have any numbers on until we get back to La.

Will we have any problems with the Coast Guard, Washington State authorities, or the Canadians?

We are planning on having a shotgun aboard for bear protection in Alaska, but I'm concerned that under these boating conditions (and under the curent political climate), we're unsure of the risks of having trouble with the authorities.

Could some of you advise us of what to expect? We don't want this happy occasion to be marred with legal hassels.

Thanks,

Law

[Larry H]

Seeker,

Thats quite an adventure you have planned!

I don't think taking an unregistered boat across an international border four times is a good idea. I would call both Canada Customs and US Customs first.

The shotgun would be legal to take into Canada as long as it's a normal legal length hunting gun. Be sure to declare the gun to Canada Customs. They will want to see the gun and record the serial number. Be careful not to take any handguns or handgun ammo!

[Valkyrie]

Law:

I can address part of your question and leave the rest for others with more knowledge in those areas. When traveling to hunt in Canada, Canadian Customs required that I fill out a form with the address and name of the outfitter that I was using. For defense, I don't know.

In addition, the very first step is to go to a US Customs office with your cased, unloaded gun and present it to them and fill out a form registerring the gun to you. Calling ahead to check out procedure is a good idea. Upon returning to the US, if you can not produce the form, which shows that you took the gun with you to Canada (or other foreign country), you can't bring the gun back into the US.

Nick "Valkyrie"

[Sneaks]

You must have registration and posted numbers if you're afloat in US waters or, for that matter, Canadian waters as well. I do understand that Louisiana makes you show up at their office to register even though you can renew online. So register the boat in Washington state, get stick on numbers from Les and change registration when you return to LA. You have 90 days to do it after you return to LA. If WA is like California, Les has all the paperwork and can issue you a number when you pick up the boat.

If you don't have the numbers or the latest year sticker, plan on being detained and rudely treated. Especially with a weapon aboard.

[Valkyrie]

Law:

Another point: while an 18" barrelled shotgun is legal in the US, the minimum length is longer in Canada. I believe it is 20 or 21"

Nick
"Valkyrie"

[Ron on Meander]

Law,
IMO don't bring a gun into Canada. Its simply not worth the hassle. In 12 years of wondering the BC forests as a forest technician and 15+ years of boating on the inside passage waters I've never had a bear encounter that needed a gun to solve. 1000's of people cruise the area with out them. In Canada we are required to register all our weapons, (at least the non criminals are, I can't see that it has done anything to prevent criminals from getting or using guns), its not a nice experience to get caught with a non registered gun up here. The authorities do not like it much. I would not chance bringing a unregistered boat across the border either. Not that our government would care all that much as long as you were prepared to fork out their 14% in taxes if you can't prove you are not bringing it in for resale. Who know though, you might cross over and not even have a Canada Customs inspector check your registration of physically inspect your boat. Its just the luck of the draw.
Ron

[Spirit]

Law:

We are also planning an Alaska cruise this summer and I think we have convinced the Anna Leigh to go with us and provide guidance, experience, local knowledge etc. etc. We have not yet firmed up the schedule but tentatively we would like to leave around June 18th give or take a few days. What is your schedule?

I agree with the other comments about boat registration, I highly recommend that you make your boat "legal" before making the trip. If not, the border crossings be very difficult if not impossible. Moreover, a simple Coast Guard boarding will become a nightmare,

On the issue of a shotgun. We also have considered taking one along. It is imperative that you register the gun with US and Canadian Customs before you go otherwise you stand a good chance of losing the gun.

I just checked with the Canadian authorities and Nick is correct: an 18 in barrel is a no-no in Canada. They require at least 18.5 inches, which unfortunately excludes many guns common in the US. For more information you can go to the online Canadian Firearm Center at http://www.cfc.gc.ca. For registration requirements, click on the Forms link and then on the Non-resident forms.

Good luck and congrats on the new C-Dory! Keep us posted re your cruising plans.

[Seeker]

Outside of Kactovik, Alaska, where I worked as a plant manager, for a time, one of the guys on the crew had been attacked by a stunted grizzly. It seems the bear, when it was young, had gotten a loop of tent cord wrapped around it's neck. As the bear grew the cord tightened, cutting into the skin, and restricting blood flow, air and circulation. The bear was in constant pain, and not able to hunt, mate, or do normal bear things. So, it was a pretty mean, and a very hungry bear looking for anything it could eat.

My crewman and his friend had a girl along, and were pitifully under gunned for this encounter. They had only a .44 magnum pistol and a 12 gauge loaded with bird shot.

Twenty four shots later the bear was dead and all involved had more adrenalin circulating in their veins than blood.

When they skinned the bear, (with the wildlife agent present) the hide came off in two pieces. It was completely cut through around the neck from the cord.

Having a means of defense along in a situation where one might need it, is a whole lot better than being defenseless.

When I took long walks, by myself, at the edge of the world, in a neighborhood where Polar bears, Grizzlies, Moose, and Musk Ox (one of those bulls kept a guy I know in a small lake until he almost died of hypothermia) roamed, I did not want my last thought to be; I wish I had a gun.

My shot gun does have a 20" barrel. If I have to I'll ship it to a gun dealer in Alaska, and pick it up when I arrive.

Thanks to all who have responded. You guys/gals are an enormous help, and are very much appreciated.

Law

[Seeker]

Spirit - Les doesn't know when the boat will be ready. When I know that date, I'll let you know. Cruising with you guys would be great.

We are trying to co-ordinate lots of things, so plans haven't gelled time wise yet; we'll keep you posted.

Law

[Billy]

Law,
You can buy whatever kind of shotgun you want in most any town in Alaska and walk out with it right then and there if you don't want to ship yours or hassle the Canadians. Also you may want to make sure that all past due parking tickets, child support etc., are taken care of too before heading into Canada. Although it seems unlikely that this might be a problem if you are crossing on a boat, I've heard stories of people being detained at the Canadian drive-thru for this sort of thing.
Bill

[Sawdust]

My 18" Snake Charmer that I use to tame halibut was not welcome in Canada. Emphatically not welcome. I've been gunless for many round trips to AK through CA and have never needed a weapon, but YMMV.

Register your boat! Even with a temporary license I've been grilled. Check with CA Customs - they are friendly, but have strict rules. Lots of good advice in the above posts!

Dusty

[Pat Anderson]

Law,

Don't know about the gun, I cannot imagine any need for that. Register the boat! It is a legal requirement everywhere, and you could end up with some major grief, even seizure, if the Canadians think it is not registered because you intend to sell it in Canada without paying duties...you can always change the registration to LA when you get there...

Not sure that diving into a trip from Washington State to Alaska with only a few days break-in is really a good idea - do you have everything you need? Are you sure you know what you need? I am planning this trip in 2006, and after a fair amount of research am still not confident that I know all I need to know...

[Seeker]

Pat - I'm sure this sounds naive, but it seems fairly simple to head up the inside passage to Alaska. My plan is :

1. Don't get run over
2. Don't run over any thing
3. Be aware of the currents and Tides
4. Have paper charts, for backing up all those fancy schmancy, every thing talks to every thing else gadgets (I'll have them all)
5. Know all pertinent com freqs
6. Listen to weather forecasts and respect what you see in the sky (as a commercial pilot (multi-engine and instrument rated), I learned more about weather than any thing else)
7. Plan daily departure and arrival ports, and knowing where to pull in if you have to
8. Don't pick up strange women hitching rides ; )

What else is there for a guy to know about driving down a ditch?

But seriously, I humbly welcome advice or wisdom from a more experienced boater. Please let me know if you see something, I'm not aware of, or have omited from my planing.

Law

[Seeker]

Pat - I won't try it without being properly registered, or being properly dis-armed either. Thanks for that advice. I've talked to Les about getting all legaled up before sailing anywhere.

Law

[starcrafttom]

pat not to start anything but out in unpopulated areas away from the police or even a phone, where the most dangerest creature is other humans, with your family. I can think of a lot of reasons and uses for a gun. you would not go out there with out a back up battery ,map compass, radio, fuel, tools, your little jump start box thingy. why would a gun be any different. have the tools and know how and when to use them.. oh and bring extra chain, cuts down on the paper work. ( ok everyone laugh now)