On Sun, 28 Aug 2005 16:11:20 -0700, Gary G see.signature@bottom
wrote:

Greetings:

We are going to be crusing the San Juan Islands in Sept in a 32'
dual Diesel cruiser from Anacortes WA. Any suggestions on a suitable
itinerary for this time of year?

We have not been to the San Juans before.

I'm concerned about potable water, pump out stations and docked power.
Since we are likely on the off-season, many of the normal high season
feature will not be present. If anyone has been in this area around
the same time, personal feedback is appreciated.


Wow!! We just returned from a 7 day charter from Ship Harbor Yachts
in Anacortes Skyline marina on their Meridian Infinity II 34'. This
was our first time with a twin screw boat. We did one day (stressful)
for training and then less than a half day to finish up... we felt
confident about going it alone. We went to almost all of the San
Juan Islands' points. Roche Harbor is excellent. Friday Harbor was
good. I bought a T shirt in Roche Harbor. Unfortunately, it got
Diesel on it at Skyline Marina. Oh well, it is broken in.

Anyway, this is a marvelous area to cruise. We did not go to Canada
since we were not familiar with the customs thing. Next time, we
will likely go there. I heard of folks piled up waiting to get
through customs. What are they doing? (customs). What is the big
deal? I read of Canadian booze in Wagoners about WA/CAN booze. What
is the difference? Obviously it is a revenue issue. We bring booze
from CA. So, how does this fit in? Is booze wine, beer or high
octane spirits or all of the above? Strange. CA is just anything
goes.

We're thinking that a 39' Carver would be a very nice boat for the
area. The head is a difficult component. Having a VacuFlush system
might fix this. Our standard Meridian unit was clogged the first
day out and delayed our departure. No problem since I needed
training anyway--not on the head but on the boat!




Gary Gaugler, Ph.D.
Microtechnics, Inc.
Granite Bay, CA 95746
916.791.8191
gary@microtechnics dot com

On Fri, 09 Sep 2005 20:36:42 -0700, Gary G see.signature@bottom
wrote:
Anyway, this is a marvelous area to cruise. We did not go to Canada
since we were not familiar with the customs thing. Next time, we
will likely go there.

Yes, it is important to study up on local customs before you visit
foreign ports, so you don't look foolish when you get there. Or did
you mean Customs and Immigration?

I heard of folks piled up waiting to get
through customs. What are they doing? (customs). What is the big
deal? I read of Canadian booze in Wagoners about WA/CAN booze. What
is the difference? Obviously it is a revenue issue. We bring booze
from CA. So, how does this fit in? Is booze wine, beer or high
octane spirits or all of the above? Strange. CA is just anything
goes.

Hardly strange at all, unless you haven't travelled out of your
country before. Visitors to Canada are permitted to bring a small
quantity of liquor (1.14 L of spirits, a bottle of wine, or a case of
beer) for personal use, or more if they're willing to pay duty.
Visitors to the USA are permitted to bring a small quantity of liquor
(1L of spirits) for personal use, or more if they're willing to pay
duty. The websites of each jurisdiction explain the details.

Since I am Canadian and our boat is a registered Canadian vessel, I
won't attempt to explain the other details of visiting Canada by
pleasure vessel. Perhaps someone else on your side of the border
could explain.

Louise

On Sun, 11 Sep 2005 15:36:03 -0400, Louise
wrote:

On Fri, 09 Sep 2005 20:36:42 -0700, Gary G see.signature@bottom
wrote:
Anyway, this is a marvelous area to cruise. We did not go to Canada
since we were not familiar with the customs thing. Next time, we
will likely go there.

Yes, it is important to study up on local customs before you visit
foreign ports, so you don't look foolish when you get there. Or did
you mean Customs and Immigration?

I meant Customs and Immigration.


I heard of folks piled up waiting to get
through customs. What are they doing? (customs). What is the big
deal? I read of Canadian booze in Wagoners about WA/CAN booze. What
is the difference? Obviously it is a revenue issue. We bring booze
from CA. So, how does this fit in? Is booze wine, beer or high
octane spirits or all of the above? Strange. CA is just anything
goes.

Hardly strange at all, unless you haven't travelled out of your
country before. Visitors to Canada are permitted to bring a small
quantity of liquor (1.14 L of spirits, a bottle of wine, or a case of
beer) for personal use, or more if they're willing to pay duty.
Visitors to the USA are permitted to bring a small quantity of liquor
(1L of spirits) for personal use, or more if they're willing to pay
duty. The websites of each jurisdiction explain the details.

Well, I travel to UK, EU and other places and have no problem with
booze. It seems that Canada makes a big deal about this. Why?
What is the difference between CA booze and WA booze and Canada booze?
Ahhhh....taxes. So, how to tell the difference? Is there some
certificate of compliance stuck to a bottle? Dumb.

Since I am Canadian and our boat is a registered Canadian vessel, I
won't attempt to explain the other details of visiting Canada by
pleasure vessel. Perhaps someone else on your side of the border
could explain.

Louise

By all means, let me know. We likely will go to Canada destinations
in the future. right now, I avoid it. Booze unfriendly and gun
unfriendly. WA is a better place, IMO.

Gary Gaugler, Ph.D.
Microtechnics, Inc.
Granite Bay, CA 95746
916.791.8191
gary@microtechnics dot com

Gary G wrote:


By all means, let me know. We likely will go to Canada destinations
in the future. right now, I avoid it. Booze unfriendly and gun
unfriendly. WA is a better place, IMO.

Gary Gaugler, Ph.D.
Microtechnics, Inc.
Granite Bay, CA 95746
916.791.8191
gary@microtechnics dot com


If you're that hung up on guns & booze, Canada probably isn't the best
place for you.

On Thu, 15 Sep 2005 13:43:06 GMT, Don White
wrote:

Gary G wrote:


By all means, let me know. We likely will go to Canada destinations
in the future. right now, I avoid it. Booze unfriendly and gun
unfriendly. WA is a better place, IMO.



If you're that hung up on guns & booze, Canada probably isn't the best
place for you.

No, it is not. It is not a hang up. It is politics and taxes and
reduction of freedom. Please...no flame wars. We have our own
situations here in CA.

Gary Gaugler, Ph.D.
Microtechnics, Inc.
Granite Bay, CA 95746
916.791.8191
gary@microtechnics dot com

Leave your guns, you won't need them. Buy your booze in Canada and, if you
have no felony convictions, customs is not a problem.

"Gary G" see.signature@bottom wrote in message
...
On Thu, 15 Sep 2005 13:43:06 GMT, Don White
wrote:

Gary G wrote:


By all means, let me know. We likely will go to Canada destinations
in the future. right now, I avoid it. Booze unfriendly and gun
unfriendly. WA is a better place, IMO.



If you're that hung up on guns & booze, Canada probably isn't the best
place for you.

No, it is not. It is not a hang up. It is politics and taxes and
reduction of freedom. Please...no flame wars. We have our own
situations here in CA.

Gary Gaugler, Ph.D.
Microtechnics, Inc.
Granite Bay, CA 95746
916.791.8191
gary@microtechnics dot com

On Thu, 15 Sep 2005 16:30:10 -0700, "johnhh"
wrote:

Leave your guns, you won't need them. Buy your booze in Canada and, if you
have no felony convictions, customs is not a problem.


I tend to strongly agree. I was armed but never needed it. Very
nice. It is a whole new world there. Quite refreshing. I just don't
get the booze thing--difference between WA and Canada.

Gary Gaugler, Ph.D.
Microtechnics, Inc.
Granite Bay, CA 95746
916.791.8191
gary@microtechnics dot com

On Wed, 14 Sep 2005 18:58:13 +0000, Gary G wrote:

By all means, let me know. We likely will go to Canada destinations in
the future. right now, I avoid it. Booze unfriendly and gun
unfriendly. WA is a better place, IMO.

You know, when I think about the good times, I naturally think about how
well booze and guns go together! Putz! I think you should stay right
where you are at home in the good old USA. It's too boring up here.

On Sat, 17 Sep 2005 22:54:26 -0400, "beldar"
wrote:

On Wed, 14 Sep 2005 18:58:13 +0000, Gary G wrote:

By all means, let me know. We likely will go to Canada destinations in
the future. right now, I avoid it. Booze unfriendly and gun
unfriendly. WA is a better place, IMO.

You know, when I think about the good times, I naturally think about how
well booze and guns go together! Putz! I think you should stay right
where you are at home in the good old USA. It's too boring up here.


Booze and guns are separate issues. I have resolved the gun issue.
WA and Canada are no problem for attack. The booze remains a issue.

Please see my new posting to deal with this topic.


Gary Gaugler, Ph.D.
Microtechnics, Inc.
Granite Bay, CA 95746
916.791.8191
gary@microtechnics dot com

Gary G wrote:


Booze and guns are separate issues. I have resolved the gun issue.
WA and Canada are no problem for attack. The booze remains a issue.

Please see my new posting to deal with this topic.


Gary Gaugler, Ph.D.
Microtechnics, Inc.
Granite Bay, CA 95746
916.791.8191
gary@microtechnics dot com


Here on the Atlantic side of Canada you very seldom hear of a problem.
When you do, it's usually some American who tries to hide his shootin'
iron and doesn't declare it crossing the border into Canada. If caught
they lose the gun and pay a $ 1K fine.
Trust me...if you sailed here you would not need the gun although the
booze might come in handy.