And although I never have plans of landing while cruising around say Alex
Bay or the castle on the St. Lawrence, I carry my passport in case a
mechanial problem or some other contingency forces me ashore.


You can pass into and out of US waters without reproting to customs.
However, if you plan to go ashore, anchor, rendezvous or make close
contact with another vessel you must report to customs first.

You will need your ship's papers, photo id and proof of citizenship for
all aboard, and it helps to have an inventory of booze, smokes, and
other items they are going to ask about.

When you land at the customs dock, nobody is allowed ashore except the
master of the vessel until you have cleared customs. In practice,
nobody seems to mind if somebody steps off the boat for a moment to
help you land as long as that person gets directly back aboard.