Crossing border

[bsreid]

We are going on a road trip down to the U.S. With our boat
What I am wondering about are there any special things needed to cross the border? I know that your boat has to be clean, and all that and have your registration papers.
Are registration numbers on the bow really needed to cross border?
Gas cans?

Thanks.

[Jetter]

You are correct. Make sure you have registration papers and an insurance card won't hurt. Make sure boat is clean and if you have a ballast system make sure you can turn on the pumps and ZERO water comes out. Once you pass the inspection, they may clip a tag on your eye hook for your duration in the states. They are very worried about zebra mussels and other critters and water born diseases so just make sure your boat is clean and it won't be a problem. That said, each state is different unlike up here where all waterways are under national law. In Idaho for instance, you don't need a boat operators license like we do here in Canada.

[BCRider]

bsreid: You're supposed to have registration numbers on your boat in Canada too. Not sure if the people at the border will care but the water cops will pull you over for sure. If there's one thing I've learned from being on these forums is that Canada is very lax compared to the US when it comes to patrolling water ways and making sure everyone has the correct paperwork, reg numbers etc. When I was in Florida years ago the cops stopped us while we were pulling someone because the boarding school never puts reg stickers on their boats because they are demo's. It sounded like it was a repeated warning and wasn't very happy.

[bsreid]

We have been meaning to get registration numbers for a long time. But one of the reasons we haven't is because the cops on our lake are only on it twice a year and when they do stop you, not one time have they asked for you to have registration numbers, even on our old boat. We are going to lake Cocolalla, a small lake in Idaho so I doubt they will be on it. We will probably just play it safe and go find some decent ones somewhere.

[BCRider]

If you just want some temp ones done put them on your side windows. That way you can take a razor blade to them to remove them.

[bsreid]

That's a good idea. Will just any work? Or do they have to be widow stickers?
Thanks

[Greeko]

electrical tape will even work

[bsreid]

Would it leave sticky stuff on the window?

[bsreid]

Painters tape

[BCRider]

You can go to a sign shop and get vinyl decals done. It wouldn't be that expensive or you could just use tape as an even cheaper (free) option. Remove them when it's either warm out or direct sun or use a heat gun to warm up the glue. Any residue can be removed with WD40 or such.

[Jetter]

We have been meaning to get registration numbers for a long time. But one of the reasons we haven't is because the cops on our lake are only on it twice a year and when they do stop you, not one time have they asked for you to have registration numbers, even on our old boat. We are going to lake Cocolalla, a small lake in Idaho so I doubt they will be on it. We will probably just play it safe and go find some decent ones somewhere.

Cocolalla is great. It's tiny and warm like a bathtub. Interested to hear how you liked it after your trip. I used to go jetskiing there many many years ago. We now go to Hayden Lake just north of Coeur D'Alene. It's a great too. Enjoy!

[bsreid]

Cocolalla is great. It's tiny and warm like a bathtub. Interested to hear how you liked it after your trip. I used to go jetskiing there many many years ago. We now go to Hayden Lake just north of Coeur D'Alene. It's a great too. Enjoy!

Good to know! We have never been before, we have also heard great things. Around what temperature is the water?

[IDBoating]

BTW, US requirement is minimum three inch tall letters on the bow area of the boat. Putting them on the windshield won't be compliant. However, if it's a Canadian boat, you might get away with it by claiming that it's acceptable in Canada and you're only here for a visit. Hard to imagine they would expect you to put a bunch of lettering on your boat for a temporary vacation.

[Jetter]

Good to know! We have never been before, we have also heard great things. Around what temperature is the water?

Water at Hayden is 78-80 degrees in August. Hayden is way bigger than Cocolalla and probably deeper so I suspect Coco would be low 80s. There is great boating on Pend Oreille too. It is a massive lake 10 mins from where you're going. You'll drive right over it on the way in. It is huge and deep and thus quite a bit colder but probably worth trying for a day.

[Jetter]

Rules are identical here in Canada. It is mandatory to have federal registration number on your watercraft all over Canada. Not sure why people don't get them as the registration process is easy and cheap. (may even be free - can't remember)