Uncrowded waters due to fuel prices, diving dollar, and border hassles.
 

Back from the second leg of our summer cruise, one that carried us
well up Desolation Sound before making the reluctant U-turn and heading
for home.

Most of the Canadian harbormasters we spoke with reported a sharp
downtun in the number of US boats this year. Moorages and marinas that
are usually very crowded were wide open in many cases, with slips going
begging over a three-day weekend at Secret Cove, Port Sidney, and other
normally crowded destinations.

Theories commonly advanced included the price of fuel keeping more US
boaters down in Puget Sound, the plummeting value of the US dollar
effectively "raising prices" about 25%, and the increased difficulty fo
getting back *into* the US at the border (Canada lets you check in by
phone, will accept a driver's license as ID, etc....but you'll have a
huge hassle trying to get back into the US with just a DL).

We *were* turned away from Friday Harbor on Sunday morning. (My
reputation preceded me?). Turns out that spaces were hard to come by at
Friday Harbor because the locals were staying put for the weekend. We
found a guest dock more than half empty at Fishermen's Bay on Lopez,
just 7-8 nm from Friday Harbor, and even on Labor Day weekend that
guest dock never filled completely.

We assumed we wouldn't find any space at LaConner yesterday. Wrong.
The guest docks were about half full last night.

We didn't see a real crowd all week until we got within about 20 miles
of Seattle today. The weekend fishermen were out. One guy weaving back
and forth up a channel while trolling called me a "Stupid f**k" for
passing him at a reduced speed of about 5 knots and "screwing up my
fishing!" I knew right then I was back in the general vicinity of a big
city. :-)

I think a lot of it is the border crossing red tape. We were within 25
miles of the Canadian border on our cruise to eastern Maine this summer
and elected not to go further because we didn't want to deal with the
aggravation of returning and clearing back in. Imagine that, returning
to a country where you were born, lived all your life, and served in
the armed forces at one point, only to be treated as one step above a
criminal suspect. Unbelievable.

On 5 Sep 2005 16:50:44 -0700, wrote:

Back from the second leg of our summer cruise, one that carried us
well up Desolation Sound before making the reluctant U-turn and heading
for home.

Most of the Canadian harbormasters we spoke with reported a sharp
downtun in the number of US boats this year. Moorages and marinas that
are usually very crowded were wide open in many cases, with slips going
begging over a three-day weekend at Secret Cove, Port Sidney, and other
normally crowded destinations.

Theories commonly advanced included the price of fuel keeping more US
boaters down in Puget Sound, the plummeting value of the US dollar
effectively "raising prices" about 25%, and the increased difficulty fo
getting back *into* the US at the border (Canada lets you check in by
phone, will accept a driver's license as ID, etc....but you'll have a
huge hassle trying to get back into the US with just a DL).

We *were* turned away from Friday Harbor on Sunday morning. (My
reputation preceded me?). Turns out that spaces were hard to come by at
Friday Harbor because the locals were staying put for the weekend. We
found a guest dock more than half empty at Fishermen's Bay on Lopez,
just 7-8 nm from Friday Harbor, and even on Labor Day weekend that
guest dock never filled completely.

We assumed we wouldn't find any space at LaConner yesterday. Wrong.
The guest docks were about half full last night.

We didn't see a real crowd all week until we got within about 20 miles
of Seattle today. The weekend fishermen were out. One guy weaving back
and forth up a channel while trolling called me a "Stupid f**k" for
passing him at a reduced speed of about 5 knots and "screwing up my
fishing!" I knew right then I was back in the general vicinity of a big
city. :-)

Welcome back, Chuck. This place has been relatively quiet and restrained while
you were gone. No name-calling, to speak of, no bad-mouthing of the president,
to speak of, and no Clinton-flames, to speak of.

Maybe we were all just worried about you! Anyway, welcome back!
--
John H

"All decisions are the result of binary thinking."

DSK wrote:
wrote:
I think a lot of it is the border crossing red tape. We were within 25
miles of the Canadian border on our cruise to eastern Maine this summer
and elected not to go further because we didn't want to deal with the
aggravation of returning and clearing back in. Imagine that, returning
to a country where you were born, lived all your life, and served in
the armed forces at one point, only to be treated as one step above a
criminal suspect. Unbelievable.


And the worst thing is that the borders are largely porous, with over 2
million people per year coming across.

The times we've returned into the country, we've been treated relatively
curteously & professionally (always at airports) but it still takes time
better spent on other things, it's aggravating, and it's ineffective.

We've been talking to a number of people who cruise into Canada each
summer on the Great Lakes, and they say things like "the paperwork isn't
too bad."

Fair Skies
Doug King


Paperwork into Canada:

Arrived in Bedwell Harbour on a Sunday. Nobody at the customs dock.
Pick up the direct dial phone and connect to Sidney. "What's your
vessel ID #? How many people on board? All US citizens? Any firearms?
How much booze and tobacco? Any pets? Ok, welcome to Canada. Write this
clearance number on a slip of paper and display it in your dockside
window."

Paperwork back into US: Surprisingly easy......but only because we
traveled with our passports. First thing the customs officer did was to
scan the computerized info on the passports, consult a computer, and
after about 15 seconds of typing something she asked, "How long were
you in Canada? How much money did you spend on things you're bringing
back? Any beef, chicken, pork or fruits and vegetables on this list?
Any Cuban cigars? How much booze and tobacco are you bringing in? Did
anybody give you anything to carry across the border? OK, I guess we'll
let you back in- but you have to buy a $25 customs decal because your
boat is over 30-feet."

The $25 bucks is a hose job. Ticks me off every year. If my boat were
6-feet shorter, I'd get back in for free. If Paul Allen comes across
with his 190-footer, he also pays just $25. :-)

PocoLoco wrote:
On 5 Sep 2005 16:50:44 -0700, wrote:

Back from the second leg of our summer cruise, one that carried us
well up Desolation Sound before making the reluctant U-turn and heading
for home.

Most of the Canadian harbormasters we spoke with reported a sharp
downtun in the number of US boats this year. Moorages and marinas that
are usually very crowded were wide open in many cases, with slips going
begging over a three-day weekend at Secret Cove, Port Sidney, and other
normally crowded destinations.

Theories commonly advanced included the price of fuel keeping more US
boaters down in Puget Sound, the plummeting value of the US dollar
effectively "raising prices" about 25%, and the increased difficulty fo
getting back *into* the US at the border (Canada lets you check in by
phone, will accept a driver's license as ID, etc....but you'll have a
huge hassle trying to get back into the US with just a DL).

We *were* turned away from Friday Harbor on Sunday morning. (My
reputation preceded me?). Turns out that spaces were hard to come by at
Friday Harbor because the locals were staying put for the weekend. We
found a guest dock more than half empty at Fishermen's Bay on Lopez,
just 7-8 nm from Friday Harbor, and even on Labor Day weekend that
guest dock never filled completely.

We assumed we wouldn't find any space at LaConner yesterday. Wrong.
The guest docks were about half full last night.

We didn't see a real crowd all week until we got within about 20 miles
of Seattle today. The weekend fishermen were out. One guy weaving back
and forth up a channel while trolling called me a "Stupid f**k" for
passing him at a reduced speed of about 5 knots and "screwing up my
fishing!" I knew right then I was back in the general vicinity of a big
city. :-)

Welcome back, Chuck. This place has been relatively quiet and restrained while
you were gone. No name-calling, to speak of, no bad-mouthing of the president,
to speak of, and no Clinton-flames, to speak of.

Maybe we were all just worried about you! Anyway, welcome back!
--
John H

"All decisions are the result of binary thinking."

Thanks, John.

Don't know if it's a good sign that when I'm off line there's no name
calling, no bad-mouthing of the president and no Clinton
flaming........ :-)

I brought back some good stories that I'll share when I get life
reorganized. Boat show next week, and another deadline looms closer by
the day.

wrote in message
ups.com...
Back from the second leg of our summer cruise, one that carried us
well up Desolation Sound before making the reluctant U-turn and heading
for home.

Most of the Canadian harbormasters we spoke with reported a sharp
downtun in the number of US boats this year. Moorages and marinas that
are usually very crowded were wide open in many cases, with slips going
begging over a three-day weekend at Secret Cove, Port Sidney, and other
normally crowded destinations.

Theories commonly advanced included the price of fuel keeping more US
boaters down in Puget Sound, the plummeting value of the US dollar
effectively "raising prices" about 25%, and the increased difficulty fo
getting back *into* the US at the border (Canada lets you check in by
phone, will accept a driver's license as ID, etc....but you'll have a
huge hassle trying to get back into the US with just a DL).

We *were* turned away from Friday Harbor on Sunday morning. (My
reputation preceded me?). Turns out that spaces were hard to come by at
Friday Harbor because the locals were staying put for the weekend. We
found a guest dock more than half empty at Fishermen's Bay on Lopez,
just 7-8 nm from Friday Harbor, and even on Labor Day weekend that
guest dock never filled completely.

We assumed we wouldn't find any space at LaConner yesterday. Wrong.
The guest docks were about half full last night.

We didn't see a real crowd all week until we got within about 20 miles
of Seattle today. The weekend fishermen were out. One guy weaving back
and forth up a channel while trolling called me a "Stupid f**k" for
passing him at a reduced speed of about 5 knots and "screwing up my
fishing!" I knew right then I was back in the general vicinity of a big
city. :-)


Glad to see you made it back safely Chuck. I hope you and your wife are
well rested and had a terrific time.

On 5 Sep 2005 22:56:09 -0700, wrote:


PocoLoco wrote:
On 5 Sep 2005 16:50:44 -0700, wrote:

Back from the second leg of our summer cruise, one that carried us
well up Desolation Sound before making the reluctant U-turn and heading
for home.

Most of the Canadian harbormasters we spoke with reported a sharp
downtun in the number of US boats this year. Moorages and marinas that
are usually very crowded were wide open in many cases, with slips going
begging over a three-day weekend at Secret Cove, Port Sidney, and other
normally crowded destinations.

Theories commonly advanced included the price of fuel keeping more US
boaters down in Puget Sound, the plummeting value of the US dollar
effectively "raising prices" about 25%, and the increased difficulty fo
getting back *into* the US at the border (Canada lets you check in by
phone, will accept a driver's license as ID, etc....but you'll have a
huge hassle trying to get back into the US with just a DL).

We *were* turned away from Friday Harbor on Sunday morning. (My
reputation preceded me?). Turns out that spaces were hard to come by at
Friday Harbor because the locals were staying put for the weekend. We
found a guest dock more than half empty at Fishermen's Bay on Lopez,
just 7-8 nm from Friday Harbor, and even on Labor Day weekend that
guest dock never filled completely.

We assumed we wouldn't find any space at LaConner yesterday. Wrong.
The guest docks were about half full last night.

We didn't see a real crowd all week until we got within about 20 miles
of Seattle today. The weekend fishermen were out. One guy weaving back
and forth up a channel while trolling called me a "Stupid f**k" for
passing him at a reduced speed of about 5 knots and "screwing up my
fishing!" I knew right then I was back in the general vicinity of a big
city. :-)

Welcome back, Chuck. This place has been relatively quiet and restrained while
you were gone. No name-calling, to speak of, no bad-mouthing of the president,
to speak of, and no Clinton-flames, to speak of.

Maybe we were all just worried about you! Anyway, welcome back!
--
John H

"All decisions are the result of binary thinking."

Thanks, John.

Don't know if it's a good sign that when I'm off line there's no name
calling, no bad-mouthing of the president and no Clinton
flaming........ :-)

I brought back some good stories that I'll share when I get life
reorganized. Boat show next week, and another deadline looms closer by
the day.

Looking forward to them.
--
John H

"All decisions are the result of binary thinking."

wrote in message
ups.com...
One guy weaving back
and forth up a channel while trolling called me a "Stupid f**k"

Hell, Chuck. You don't have to leave rec.boats to get called a stupid f**k.

NOYB wrote:
wrote in message
ups.com...
One guy weaving back
and forth up a channel while trolling called me a "Stupid f**k"

Hell, Chuck. You don't have to leave rec.boats to get called a stupid f**k.

Oh so true.

Difference is, anybody calling me such a name in the NG has likely got
some
grounds for such an opinion. Imagine the terrible things this guy would
have said if he actually knew me!

The "seaman" (alternate spelling may be appropriate) in question in
this incident was the skipper of a vessel that was part of a fleet of
little fishing boats scattered all across a passage. (Obviously, that
must have been where the fish were at that particular time).

You have to go through the fleet *somewhere*, and I thought I picked a
likely looking spot. Two boats were approaching. One boat was trolling
immediately behind another, and there was a pretty good gap off the
starboard beam of the lead boat but lots of boats in tight proximity
off his port beam.

Just at the critical moment when I'm about to commit to the course the
seemed initially apparent, the lead boat bears off to starboard fairly
hard, and the following boat bears off to port. The best passage is now
between them, so I slow down to dead slow (no point rocking the
trollers)
and make a course adjustment to pass through the gap they have opened
up.

(Both boats were trolling over the transom, with downriggers, so no
shallow lines and no lines on either side).

The guy in the following boat stands up behind the windshield and
starts waving his hands frantically. I don't know what that's all
about, but I think he might be in distress. Instead of passing at dead
slow about 20 yards from this guy, I drop out of gear entirely, coast
to about 15 yards away and open the pilothouse door to see if he's got
some sort of emergency.

His comment was "You dumb f**k! Can't you see I'm trying to fish here?
Why do you have to run your boat down the middle of the school and
screw up the fishing?"

He continued waving, but this time used a gesture that was easily
understood.

I waved back. :-)

Funny thing about the incident, the fishermen were passing one another
much closer than I passed the guy who was waving his arms in panic. I
guess if I had been dragging a line (and I would have been going about
the same speed) the same guy would have smiled, asked if I had caught
anything, and offered me a beer. Only other thing that could have
caused his concern may have been that his boat was pretty small, and he
may have been all but run down by other guys in larger boats all
morning long and was just fed up when I happened by.