Crossing border

[bsreid]

We have our boat registered and stuff but just no numbers on the bow

[JLG]

Wouldn't know why a person wouldn't put some cheap letters on their boat to be in compliance! Seems petty to not want them on and to give the rangers a reason to pull you over! On our lake they pull ppl over with out of state lettering and constantly harass them, and no lettering will get you a ticket quickly. Most of our locals title their boats out of state since we have outrageous taxes on watercraft in Kansas. This really get under the water polices skin so they target these boats. I just pay the taxes, letter the boat, and go on my way as I don't need to give them a reason to stop me.

[BCRider]

Registration is free as this is one of the first things you do when you buy the boat. Bsreid already said, he's on a small lake that rarely ever gets patrolled. I get it, I could do the same thing where we have our summer house if I lived there. I have yet to even see a patrol boat out on the lake. The difference between Canada and the US is the US actively patrols day in and day out where we typically only see a cop out on the water for major holidays or really hot weekends where they know a lot of people will be out on the water. Maybe it's based on the population but we aren't nearly as "policed" up here from my experience.

[IDBoating]

The difference between Canada and the US is the US actively patrols day in and day out where we typically only see a cop out on the water for major holidays or really hot weekends where they know a lot of people will be out on the water. Maybe it's based on the population but we aren't nearly as "policed" up here from my experience.

Sadly, our nation's biggest growth industry seems to be oversight/regulation/intrusiveness.

[bsreid]

Out on the lake today, cops were out weirdly on a Tuesday. They asked about everything, registration papers life jackets ect... But they didn't even mention us not having numbers on the bow. Good old Canada

[Chads972150]

part the problem here is tickets the cops give on the road and the water is a major income for the counties so why not be picky and get you for everything they can its rediculous i got a 392 dollar ticket for no inspection on a truck i bought that day they get ridiculous with the tickets and fines down here in texas

[iamcdn]

I have not had any problems crossing the border. I have never been asked for papers or anything like that. I have only travelled to Montana in the Whitefish/Flathead lake area and there are a ton of Canadians with boats so they are use to it. They have boat checks along the highway but the checks are minimal and they haven't given us any stamp of approval or anything so we have had to get rechecked at the lake if there is another invasive species check.

The issue is returning to Canada. They can give you a hard time and want to make sure no work was done on boat or trailer.

[IDBoating]

The issue is returning to Canada. They can give you a hard time and want to make sure no work was done on boat or trailer.

Why would they care about work done on your equipment?

"Gee, my trailer bearing failed. My options were 1) get it fixed, or 2) drag it scraping and sparking all the way to the border. What would you have done?"

[BCRider]

WABoating: It's more about the new stereo install or trailer tires that you had done because it's cheaper in the US although not so much with the exchange anymore. Not a fix it scenario.

[Greeko]

I have not had any problems crossing the border. I have never been asked for papers or anything like that. I have only travelled to Montana in the Whitefish/Flathead lake area and there are a ton of Canadians with boats so they are use to it. They have boat checks along the highway but the checks are minimal and they haven't given us any stamp of approval or anything so we have had to get rechecked at the lake if there is another invasive species check.

The issue is returning to Canada. They can give you a hard time and want to make sure no work was done on boat or trailer.

Thats bs!

Just say no work was done. If they give you a hard time say if I did have work done I would claim it.

They cannot deny a canadian citizen access into their own country nor seize goods without just cause. If you don't act like a d**k they will leave you alone!

[Greeko]

Why would they care about work done on your equipment?

"Gee, my trailer bearing failed. My options were 1) get it fixed, or 2) drag it scraping and sparking all the way to the border. What would you have done?"

If you did get something repaired, you still have to produce receipts for parts. If you rationally tell them they trailer bearing was sqealing etc and had to get it repaired they will just let you go without any issues. They just want to know whats going on that's all.

[IDBoating]

I'd say "Show me your receipt for the work I had done."

In other words... prove it.

[iamcdn]

I think they just want to tax us on stuff. Lol
I've never had stuff done but they do give me the stink eye and repeat the question a couple times.