aya16 wrote:Or Mexico baja would be great. except the firearms thing down there it would be great.
...
towing up to Alaska would be great for a summer and seeing the east coast by boat would be great too.
Can you take firearms across Canada?
For a safe trip to Baja CA, how about a caravan.
Rifles and shotguns are allowed in Canada, pistols are not. I cleared into Canada in Bidwell, British Columbia with a 12 gage shotgun on my way north to the Mackenzie River Delta without any problem, but had to produce it for inspection when clearing my cruising permit upon returning to the 'States' when I crossed back into Montana on the Popular River headed for the Missouri River. MM
I wish there were a truth in the Caravan Safe trip to Baja.
I had a boss back in the 70s who bought a motor home to caravan with others down to lower Mexico. His wife fell ill and was forced to drop out. Highwaymen and bandits overcame the others; they lost their Rides and possessions. They were probably lucky to get out alive. They never went back.
A family member married a gal from Mexico City, their first trip home visiting her family; the Federales (Government Police) accosted him coming out of a dinner club with his wife. Her brother was an attorney coming out close behind, managed to get he and his wife into a cab while they put their guns away, realizing their party was mostly Citizens of Mexico. They were rolling a tourist for money, a common happening south of the border. He refused to visit his wifes relatives or Mexico again.
A few years ago(1961), we were traveling by car from Alaska to the lower 48. Had a pistol and Canadian Customs simply placed a cable through the barrel with a seal on it, recorded the serial and seal #'s and off we went. Had to show that the seal was intact and numbers matched when leaving Canada and all was OK. Things may have change since then, though.
Rifles and shotguns are allowed in Canada, pistols are not. I cleared into Canada in Bidwell, British Columbia with a 12 gage shotgun on my way north to the Mackenzie River Delta without any problem, but had to produce it for inspection when clearing my cruising permit upon returning to the 'States' when I crossed back into Montana on the Popular River headed for the Missouri River. MM
Thanks, Mike.
What about pepper spray? I had my pepper spray confiscated in New Zealand back ten years ago. Actually, they didn't know what it was but the minute I used the words "self-defense," it was theirs. They took my "Rosie's homemade tamales," too. Maybe they were afraid I'd "heartburn" someone to death. Guess this American was just too hot to handle.
I'm not against weapons; own them myself. So I will make no other comment than please don't let this thread degenerate into an argument over whether or not you shoud carry them. The truth is, literally millions of people have travelled the Baja without them and had no trouble.
They Theirs wrote:I wish there were a truth in the Caravan Safe trip to Baja.
I had a boss back in the 70s who bought a motor home to caravan with others down to lower Mexico.
As a native Texan, I learned early on to stay out of Mexico. I thought you were referring to Baja.
Baja is a different story. Three of us went downt here in an SUV with three kayaks. Was one of my best trips ever. Amazingly friendly people. We were stopped by the federales on the return trip (looking for drugs as per agreement with the US govt). It was cold and late. They were very polite. Took one look in the back of our heavily loaded SUV and nodded and said "buenes noches." We went on our way. Great trip. I wouldn't hesitate to caravan down that way with other Mac folks.
Hamin' X wrote:A few years ago(1961), we were traveling by car from Alaska to the lower 48. Had a pistol and Canadian Customs simply placed a cable through the barrel with a seal on it, recorded the serial and seal #'s and off we went.
Guys,
Got myself into trouble for saying this on another sailing site (called irresponsible), so the following disclaimer; I do not advocate this in US , Mexican, or any other waters, but;
One of the common techniques used in the out islands and South American ports where they take away any weapons you have on board until you clear out is to load old 12 gage flairs that have expired with pepper. This is because most problems seem to happen in anchorages where the local bad guys know the authorities take weapons, but they never take your flair gun and flairs. I actually used one of these in Haiti some years back to discourage a group of drunks with knives from stealing my tender and motor (or maybe worse). Again, not saying it is something to do if you are sailing to Haiti, D.R. or other points south, just saying it is commonly done. MM
Chip its ok.. the subject is large trailer sailors and grew to large trailer sailors going to far off places. That evolves to other areas in the context.
Like what would you put on your large trailer sailor? or tow veh. We are so afraid to venture into discussions because of what happened before?
You even said something about retired and I just floated my mind there.
Its ok thats what we do we play off each others thoughts at the time.
Firearms or for those more sensitive, personal protection devices, are a part of the whole thought and seems to be popular subject. It doesnt have to hijack a thread and fits in with what we are talking about. Having the largest trailer sailor will give you thoughts of going to far off places and with the trailer you can. If someone wants to include a firearm in the whole package its a ok. Even Canada says its ok to carry a defence device in wilderness areas. Theres good reason for that. But beyound all that I dont think anyone in their right mind would want to see a human
defenceless from a outside stronger forse with intent to hurt them and or their family. Most people I know think of a firearm as some kind of insurance policy they hope they never have to use. Its nothing more than a tool, I also realize that they scare some people to no end, But just talking about them shouldnt hurt anyone. And now that I think about it
theres another reason to have a 90hp motor hanging back there. you can out run any semi displacement boat baja could run at you.
I would love to explore the great country down south with a large trailer sailor or even my mac, and going with a group is not always possible.
But one reason I wont is the laws down there that have to do with personal
protection devices. And frankly anything else they want to pin on you Were not talking about a slap on the wrist and a hundred dollar fine, you could spend the rest of your life in their jails for just having one bullet.
All of this is related to a large trailer sailor even more so for me as I live
a short distance from the baja.
Besides if the Grizzly man was packing a 44 mag instead of an ounce of
what ever he had he would be showing off the bear skin instead of changing his name to lunch.
has anyone looked at the NOR-SEA trailer sailor? its smallish like the Mac but a whole lot of blue water boat. and can be towed by a honda civic, well almost.
Ill split this thread into the trailerable and the other thread once I catch my train home.
on Canada - short version - dont bring a handgun unless you plan on leaving it at the border, permanently.
Law enforcement has different rules which they know about. Dont impersonate law enforcement unless you plan on visiting Canadian jails semi-permanently.
Chip Point well taken. To help everyone out real fast, if you are taking weapons for sport or protection to another country and then returning to the USA contact your local Customs and Border Protection Office it see what you can take out and what you need to do to return. You should also contact the country you are going to or transit throuh to see what they will permit and what documents you need.
The laws for Lae Enforcement Officers are the same as for each one of us. Federal Law Enforcement Officers like me can not enter another country with any firearm without that countries approval. It must be requested by the agency and for official business only.
In Canada most firearms for sport are ok as long as it is declared upon arrival to Canada but you should make sure you check with them prior to crossing making sure you conform to the law.
If one wants to put on the false face of being Law Enforcement go ahead play the game as you will loose and see the inside of a cell. Remember is it worth it to smuggle (sneak) a weapon in and be caught causing you the
chance of being expelled from that country and never being let back in?
I have read the discussion about guns on every boat board that I have visted. The problems with guns on boats is that if they are needed, there is not enough time to take them out. Salt water and guns don't mix. The time needed to care for them is quite a lot. Is the people well trained on board to handle guns?
As I am sure you have seen, There is a lot of drinking on the water, add a gun or two. It can get out of hand.
There is examples both good and bad with guns on the water. I do not want to have one on my boat. If you do carry one, My best advice is, get well trained and practiced with the guns that you have on board and only travel in USA waters.
You can buy (research carefully, as there is junk on the market) a sleeve that turns a flare gun into a 38 single shot.
A knowledgeable friend tried this and passed his tests...
They are advertised as legal, although I doubt this...in any event, waving anything around saying "its legal" will likely get a unwelcome response from LE
Discrete possession is the key here...YMMV
I feel obligated to repeat James' sage advice about having this tool obligates one to be appropriately trained.
Maybe they were afraid I'd "heartburn" someone to death. Guess this American was just too hot to handle. 
