BoatBanter.com - View Single Post - Erie Canal to Lake Ontario

Wayne.B

On Wed, 06 Jul 2016 11:02:10 -0400, wrote:

On Tue, 05 Jul 2016 22:26:15 -0400, Wayne.B
wrote:

Yes, we left Sackets Harbor today after a nice holiday weekend with
old friends and family. The weather has been spectacularly good -
moderately warm temps, low humidity, sunny skies - it really couldn't
be much better. Today was no exception and we left on a high note
that quickly soured as the starboard engine began to show an overheat
condition. After beating a hasty retreat and docking on one engine, I
started checking all the usual suspects: sea water strainer, raw water
impeller, etc. We had gone through a big weed patch on the way out of
the marina but the strainer seemed good. The only thing that seemed
amiss was the fresh water coolant level. I topped that up, restarted
the engine and let it run for a while at the dock. Everything seemed
OK so I went through the critical cooling components with an IR gun
and everything was in normal range. Long story short we ran the rest
of the day with no further problems. Knock on wood and a reminder to
keep closer tabs on coolant levels.

After a short run across the north eastern end of Lake Ontario we
entred the St Lawrence River at the scenic Tibbets Point lighthouse
and proceeded downstream past St Vincent, Clayton (home of the antique
boat museum), and Alexandria Bay - all in the heart of the wonderful
Thousand Islands region. It was really nice. Tomorrow we'll clear
Canadian customs at Brockville and proceed downriver through the big
Seaway locks towards Montreal.

Does Canadian customs look around your boat or do they just look at
your passport and send you on your way

===

It can run the whole gamut depending on circumstances. First step is
to find the customs phone booth at a "port of entry". Then you call a
special 888 number from their phone booth, no where else. They ask
the usual questions about registration numbers, passenger names,
passport numbers, etc. Then they ask about guns, liquor, tobacco, and
so on. They also ask the purpose of your visit and how long you
intend to stay.

Depending on how they feel about your answers then can give you a
clearance number right on the spot which is how it went with us this
morning. They can however hold you for a full inspection if they
want.