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Sea Wolf
Joined: 01 Nov 2003
Posts: 8650
City/Region: Redding
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 1987
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Sea Wolf
Photos: Sea Wolf
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 Posted: Wed Feb 09, 2011 1:04 pm Post subject: |
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You guys are probably stuck with the rate increases, but you might start a letter/email writing campaign that addresses the Chambers of Commerce and City and Provincial Governments and sends your condolences to them and explaining why you won't be coming over and spending your American Dollars from now on, period! 
Joe.  
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Sea Wolf, C-Brat #31
Lake Shasta, California
  
"Most of my money I spent on boats and women. The rest I squandered'. " -Annonymous |
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starcrafttom
Joined: 07 Nov 2003
Posts: 7932
City/Region: marysville
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 1984
C-Dory Model: 27 Cruiser
Vessel Name: to be decided later
Photos: Susan E
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| Posted: Wed Feb 09, 2011 3:51 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | Delaney says the BC Ferry Corporation is still in the midst of yearly rate increases announced in 2008 that were set to last until 2012. “The new increases of up to 20% on major routes, 50% on minor routes, and as much as 100% for northern routes set to take place starting in 2012 means the cost of running the Ferry system in BC is unsustainable under the current model.”
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Well after reading the whole article and several others along with calling the B.C. ferry I think that that rate hikes stated above are politically driven scare tactics of a politician trying to get what he wants.
But lets deal with the facts at hand, No one knows yet what increase if any will be applied in april. so I have done the math with what info I have.
by truck and ferry= it will cost me $555 for the ferry round trip and $298.40 in truck gas for a total of $853.4 to tow up and back. Plus what ever storage for the truck and trailer cost me.
To run up on the hull to the same drop in point will cost me $928 in fuel up and back. So not much of a difference and if the ferry cost go up it will be the same or worse on the ferry.
So what are the + and - of the two routes. I would have to get up at 4 am to make the first ferry of the day from my house. I have done it before. Then the whole hassle of the ferry loading and unloading that makes Susan nerves, which stresses me. Then the long drive up the island after getting to the highway. I hate to drive anymore. I am the only one on the road that knows how, its true just ask me.  This is all stress I don't need. Worrying about tires and hubs etc...
Or I can travel by boat, my preferred method of transportation. I can eat and relax while watching the world and nature go by the window. I can take a leak without getting off the highway. I am on vacation the second we leave the dock. Not the same while driving the car.I can stop for a hour and fish if I see bait. yes by boat is a lot better.
Either way its a really long day. If I can average 20 mph in the boat. which I do most of the time in the 27, it's only 11 hours. If you count in customs and gas stops its 16 hours. Map quest says 10.5 in the car and that's not counting the wait for the ferry. You have to be there two hour early if you are over sized. Plus having to get gas, food and potty stops. so I figure 14 to 16 hours
I think boat is better even if I have to take a day and half to get there.
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Thomas J Elliott
http://tomsfishinggear.blogspot.com/ |
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centerisland
Joined: 19 Feb 2007
Posts: 336
City/Region: Mercer Island
State or Province: WA
Vessel Name: Lulu
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| Posted: Wed Feb 09, 2011 5:04 pm Post subject: |
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Grovelling the Internet, it looks like there are no agents in Uclulet or Bamfield, and you can call Canadian Customs by phone from either (not sure of that), and that they MAY send an agent.
But, going back to the US...it appears that Neah Bay is NOT a US port of entry - you'll have to get to Port Angeles or somewhere else to clear into the US.
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36' Little Harbor Whisperjet - Lulu
44' Custom F/C Trawler - Refugio - SOLD
CD22 - Curlew (ex-SeaDNA) - SOLD by Les! |
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Grumpy
Joined: 10 Oct 2005
Posts: 1607
City/Region: Whidbey Is
State or Province: WA
Vessel Name: Kingfisher II
Photos: Kingfisher
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| Posted: Wed Feb 09, 2011 5:35 pm Post subject: |
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Nexus would clear that problem. CA will ask you to stop for 15 mins or so at some designated port. US has so far never asked us to stop. Just report AFTER you cross the dotted line on the water.
M
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2006 CD-22 Kingfisher Sold Jan 08.
1987 Arima SeaChaser 17, Sea Star. Sold May 2010
2008 RF246 Kingfisher II Sold Apr 2013 |
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rogerbum
Joined: 21 Nov 2004
Posts: 5927
City/Region: Kenmore
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2008
C-Dory Model: 255 Tomcat
Vessel Name: Meant to be
Photos: SeaDNA
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| Posted: Wed Feb 09, 2011 6:09 pm Post subject: |
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| Grumpy wrote: | Nexus would clear that problem. CA will ask you to stop for 15 mins or so at some designated port. US has so far never asked us to stop. Just report AFTER you cross the dotted line on the water.
M |
That's my understanding also which is why both Joyce and I have a Nexus interview scheduled for next week.
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Roger on Meant to be |
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Grumpy
Joined: 10 Oct 2005
Posts: 1607
City/Region: Whidbey Is
State or Province: WA
Vessel Name: Kingfisher II
Photos: Kingfisher
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| Posted: Wed Feb 09, 2011 6:27 pm Post subject: |
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Roger,
When you go for your interview make sure they give you a "Boater registration number". Sometimes they omit to do so because they are used to dealing with people driving cars, trucks etc. and they do not care what you drive.
For a Boat, they want to know all about it, and if you change in the future, be sure to call them and let them know.
That number will be what the US customs will ask for when you call in on re-entry. If you do not have it, you may be lucky and find an official who will spend 1/2 Hr on the phone with you to fill out the papework and allocate you (each) a number.
BTW. Needless to say that when interviewed by the CA customs officer be sure that you do not have anything like a DUI (As if you would) on your record even if it was 100 years ago in Africa.
We have never been stopped by US Customs with the boat and only once when re-entering by truck when I had a load of sandbags in the back of the Chevvy HD Duramax 'cos it's a tad light at the rear end on a mountain road in snow with no boat back there.
Good luck.
M |
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centerisland
Joined: 19 Feb 2007
Posts: 336
City/Region: Mercer Island
State or Province: WA
Vessel Name: Lulu
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| Posted: Wed Feb 09, 2011 11:19 pm Post subject: |
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I got my Nexus card last month. My wife's interview is scheduled for next week - she didn't get the email notice and you can't see what email address you entered or change it until AFTER the Nexus card is issued, so be damned sure you get that part right! But I didn't know about the "Boater Registration Number" - we will have to get those after she gets her card.
Grumpy is right about calling in when returning to the US, but looking through my Nexus docs a "designated site" is required going in to Canada, and the only one on the West coast of Vancouver Island is "Uclulet (June 1st to Sept 30th) - DFO Government Dock (52 Steps Dock)". The paper form is dated 5/21/2008.
However, Uclulet is NOT on the CBSA web site for reporting locations:
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/contact/listing/indexpages/indextype39-e.html so I just called them and had a nice chat.
You CAN phone in from Uclulet as above, but only between 0800 and 2200 hours. If you started out from Neah Bay and - because of weather or breakdown - had to put into Bamfield, you COULD be fined $1,000 (and have your vessel subject to seizure to ensure the fine is paid).
The CBSA office was aware of the BC Ferry prices because he lives on Vancouver Island. He suggested taking the Port Angeles to Victoria ferry, or the WSF ferry from Anacortes to Sydney. |
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ghone
Joined: 13 Aug 2008
Posts: 1429
City/Region: Nanaimo
State or Province: BC
C-Dory Year: 2011
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Kerri On
Photos: Kerri On
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| Posted: Wed Feb 09, 2011 11:42 pm Post subject: |
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I think Tom's on the right track here. We've got a CEO at BC ferries in some hot water over his salary $1mill plus at the same time it's announced the ferry fares need to boost dramatically. I wouldn't panic just yet. This happens from time to time what will probably happen is we'll get a 4% hike and everyone will go "whew" that's better" They can sneak a small hike thru and we'll all cheer. Canadians eh? You gotta love em.  Do plan on bringing your boats north it"s great cruising in summer and fall. Spring too is good and some of those winter days are awesome George |
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hardee
Joined: 30 Oct 2006
Posts: 12637
City/Region: Sequim
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2005
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Sleepy-C
Photos: SleepyC
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| Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2011 2:46 am Post subject: |
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George,
Good to hear you waving the flag buddy, 'cause it is awesome up there. I hope to get up there somewhere this summer too, at least into Canada, Sidney and Salt Spring for sure. Probably not time to make it farther. At some point I do want to get into the Brokens. Ferry or on our own bottom, I'd prefer the pleasure of my own craft.
Harvey
SleepyC 
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Though in our sleep we are not conscious of our activity or surroundings, we should not, in our wakefulness, be unconscious of our sleep. |
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rogerbum
Joined: 21 Nov 2004
Posts: 5927
City/Region: Kenmore
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2008
C-Dory Model: 255 Tomcat
Vessel Name: Meant to be
Photos: SeaDNA
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| Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 2:11 pm Post subject: |
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| Grumpy wrote: | Roger,
When you go for your interview make sure they give you a "Boater registration number". Sometimes they omit to do so because they are used to dealing with people driving cars, trucks etc. and they do not care what you drive.
For a Boat, they want to know all about it, and if you change in the future, be sure to call them and let them know.
That number will be what the US customs will ask for when you call in on re-entry. If you do not have it, you may be lucky and find an official who will spend 1/2 Hr on the phone with you to fill out the papework and allocate you (each) a number.
BTW. Needless to say that when interviewed by the CA customs officer be sure that you do not have anything like a DUI (As if you would) on your record even if it was 100 years ago in Africa.
We have never been stopped by US Customs with the boat and only once when re-entering by truck when I had a load of sandbags in the back of the Chevvy HD Duramax 'cos it's a tad light at the rear end on a mountain road in snow with no boat back there.
Good luck.
M |
So our Nexus interviews were this AM. We arrived early and they took us in early. It was a fairly quick and painless process. When I asked about the boater registration number (at both the US and Canadian interview), they indicated that the Nexus card took care of this. From what I read here and elsewhere, I think I still need to call in for a registration number. Also of note:
1) If you fly internationally, effective in Jan of this year the Nexus card is connected to your passport and you can use the Global Entry kiosks at the U.S. airports equipped with a kiosk. This often provides a faster line through U.S. customs. You still need to carry your U.S. passport on international flights (except those to and from Canada where the Nexus card is sufficient).
2) If you're flying in and out of Canada's major airports you may also want to stop at one of them and get an iris scan. This is needed to go through Canadian customs quickly (again a separate line where you self check your way in and out). Contrary to what the instructions for the Nexus pass/interview say online (or at least appear to say online), the iris scan can only be done at the major Canadian airports and is not done in your Nexus interview in the states. It's only useful if you fly in and out of Canada and want the fast lane at Canadian customs. |
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