The CANPass seemed to require a background check and took much longer
because of that. I was short on time, leaving in a couple weeks and found
that I could get the I-68 by making an appointment at a "out-of-the-way"
INS/Customs office.

I don't remember the PIN, but that may have been the Customs pass that I got
when returning.

I think if you have the several documents mentioned, you shouldn't have to
stop upon return and perhaps the CANPass allows you to phone in on entering
Canada.

No matter what you get (unless you get them all) they are going to ask for
something you didn't get.


--
My experience and opinion, FWIW
--
Steve
s/v Good Intentions


"Gary G" see.signature@bottom wrote in message
...
On Sun, 18 Sep 2005 06:29:36 -0700, "Steve" wrote:

I just went thru all these questions and uncertainties last summer.

Following the directions and info on the web site, I went and got I-68 for
myself and my crew. This was easer than the "Pass Thing'y", however it did
require a trip to a Immigration Office (my closest was Grays Harbor) with
an
appointment, Passport size pictures and a fee. If I remember correctly,
with
pictures and fee it was about $45 each.

I cleared into Canada at Bedwell Hbr and that only took about 5 minutes at
the dock. There was only a quick interview and he may have ask about the
booze, but since I have a "dry" boat there was none to declare. He never
ask
for the I-68 and I think we only showed picture ID. Declared how long we
were going to stay. The Canadian officer issued a number which we were
required to post in a porthole.

Upon return, I called into the US Customs number, by cell phone, to
report
our return. Here again this was a US Customs officer and he wasn't
interested in our I-68 and wanted to know what our Annual Customs
Crossings
Pass number was. I had heard about this requirement but had hoped it had
been dropped and the I-68 was all we needed since both agencies were
combine. No such luck, I had to give this officer my Visa card number so
he
could issue the $25 annual pass over the phone. I could have refused to do
this but then I would have had to go to Roche Hbr and clear in and pay the
same fee.

Bottom line! Get a 'frequent crossing pass' or I-68 and a US Customs
annual
pass and you can do your crossing and only have to stop at Bedwell or any
of
the other Canadian crossing points.

Aside from the US agency fees and hassle, I found the whole crossing
process
fairly painless. Much easier than crossing over and returning from Mex. At
least I didn't have to "grease" any Port Capt.s palm or pay any dock
transit
fee while walking a half mile to find that dusty shack (port capt.
office).


Thanks for the reply. The general consensus is that the I-68 is
useless. This is from multiple Web sites who have travelled in the
WA/Canada corridor. They talk about the CANPASS and a PIN that is
used to make the crossing.

Did you deal with these?


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

On Sun, 18 Sep 2005 15:32:40 -0700, "Steve" wrote:

The CANPass seemed to require a background check and took much longer
because of that. I was short on time, leaving in a couple weeks and found
that I could get the I-68 by making an appointment at a "out-of-the-way"
INS/Customs office.

I don't remember the PIN, but that may have been the Customs pass that I got
when returning.

I think if you have the several documents mentioned, you shouldn't have to
stop upon return and perhaps the CANPass allows you to phone in on entering
Canada.

No matter what you get (unless you get them all) they are going to ask for
something you didn't get.


--
My experience and opinion, FWIW


Sounds like typical governmental bureacratic hyperbolie.

The I-68 does not seem to be of value. Face-to-face appears to be
more valuable.

So, if you go from WA to Canada, what should I expect to enounter?

Conversely, when coming from Canada to WA, what should I expect to
enounter?

Based on these scenarios, what is/are the optimum actions or events to
minimize hassle from one venue to the other?

tnx,


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

"Gary G" see.signature@bottom wrote in message
...

So, if you go from WA to Canada, what should I expect to enounter?

Conversely, when coming from Canada to WA, what should I expect to
enounter?

Based on these scenarios, what is/are the optimum actions or events to
minimize hassle from one venue to the other?

Just as I stated in my earlier post. I can't add much more.. My experience
was based on minimal contact with the crossing officials on either side. I
was prepared with the I-68, picture IDs and myself, I had a passport. The
only face to face I encountered was with Canadian official at Bedwell and I
called in, just an hour prior to my arrival. No option or offer to wave
coming to the customs dock.

Myself, I don't like Roche Hbr. and if I do go in there, I always anchor out
and if I would have had to go to the customs dock, I would only stay long
enough to clean and then head for a much more friendly (none commercial)
anchorage.

Once I'm sure I don't have to go into an official dock, I put my mooring
lines and fenders way until I return. I made my trip last summer without
taking on fuel and only stopped at Comox for water.


--
My experience and opinion, FWIW
--
Steve
s/v Good Intentions

On Sun, 18 Sep 2005 17:55:24 -0700, "Steve" wrote:



Myself, I don't like Roche Hbr. and if I do go in there, I always anchor out
and if I would have had to go to the customs dock, I would only stay long
enough to clean and then head for a much more friendly (none commercial)
anchorage.

Hum...not to be argumentative but strictly seeking knowledge and
experience, what was wrong with Roche Harbor? We liked it a lot and
stayed there two nights. We did not at any time cross the border.
It was a great place, IMO.


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

Not argumentative at all..

Different strokes for different cruising styles.

The one time I stopped in Roche Hbr, I went ashore to look around. To my
horror, I looked out into the anchorage to see a big power boat tied up to
my boat. I got in my dingy and found that he had fouled my anchor and was
waiting for me to return so I could pull my anchor up and allow him to
disentangle his. Seems he was just waiting for a slip to open up and this
was his first time to try and anchor his chartered boat.

I much prefer an anchorage to the bright lights and dock parties of a
transit dock.

I try to bring everything I need and avoid the bustle of the cruising ports.

While in the Knight Inlet and surrounding area of BC, I could always tell
where the little marina (transit) facilities were by the 'caravan's of power
boats going from one and to the next. I stopped at Echo Bay for bread and
eggs and was glad to leave before they could charge me for the one hour at
the dock. We went directly to a quiet anchorage an hour away.

Just my thoughts and preferences.

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

Hum...not to be argumentative but strictly seeking knowledge and
experience, what was wrong with Roche Harbor? We liked it a lot and
stayed there two nights. We did not at any time cross the border.
It was a great place, IMO.


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

I also did this trip over the summer. Left Roche Harbor with the form to get
the annual customs decal ($25), filled it in when I returned. Had no I-68 or
CanPass. Checked in at Bedwell by phone at the customs dock. Declared some
wine and beer and no charge was applied (probably would be if you're in a
floating bar).

Checked back in at the dock at Roche Harbor, painless and courteous
experience as it was in Canada (handed over the form and $25 and received
the decal in the mail a week later).

I like Roche Harbor, great place for people and boat watching and has a good
(pricey) restaurant. Bedwell has a better (pricier) restaurant. I like
anchoring out but I also like eating out! You can do both - each to their
own.

Cheers.

On Tue, 20 Sep 2005 23:32:29 -0700, "Paddy Malone"
wrote:

I also did this trip over the summer. Left Roche Harbor with the form to get
the annual customs decal ($25), filled it in when I returned. Had no I-68 or
CanPass. Checked in at Bedwell by phone at the customs dock. Declared some
wine and beer and no charge was applied (probably would be if you're in a
floating bar).

Checked back in at the dock at Roche Harbor, painless and courteous
experience as it was in Canada (handed over the form and $25 and received
the decal in the mail a week later).

I like Roche Harbor, great place for people and boat watching and has a good
(pricey) restaurant. Bedwell has a better (pricier) restaurant. I like
anchoring out but I also like eating out! You can do both - each to their
own.

Cheers.


Do they have one or two day guest slips at Bedwell?

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

Yes. You might want to call ahead and make a reservation in th high season.

"Gary G" see.signature@bottom wrote in message
...
On Tue, 20 Sep 2005 23:32:29 -0700, "Paddy Malone"
wrote:

I also did this trip over the summer. Left Roche Harbor with the form to
get
the annual customs decal ($25), filled it in when I returned. Had no I-68
or
CanPass. Checked in at Bedwell by phone at the customs dock. Declared some
wine and beer and no charge was applied (probably would be if you're in a
floating bar).

Checked back in at the dock at Roche Harbor, painless and courteous
experience as it was in Canada (handed over the form and $25 and received
the decal in the mail a week later).

I like Roche Harbor, great place for people and boat watching and has a
good
(pricey) restaurant. Bedwell has a better (pricier) restaurant. I like
anchoring out but I also like eating out! You can do both - each to their
own.

Cheers.


Do they have one or two day guest slips at Bedwell?

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