Has anyone imported a cat to Canada? How does the import process work?

Do the cats have titles in US (MN)? I don't want to buy a stolen unit and run into any issues at the border... What else should I do when looking to buy one?

Thank you.

We just brought a Nacra home from Illinois a few weeks ago.
After June 1, the amount you can bring in tax free goes up to $800, after 48 hour absence.
They really don't care much about the boat, they are more interested in the trailer, as that falls under Transport rules & Regs.
We brought a trailer down with us, had Canada plates & registration, so it was a non event. Just get a proper bill of sale for the boat, & his old registration certificate. Tell them the trailer is plated in your home Province. You will probably be charged GST, & possibly Provincial Sales tax on the value of the boat.
OF course if you make a 3 day trip out of it,(2 nights, 48 hrs), & buy the boat, "as is where is", quite a lot of boat can be bought for $800.
Your buddy quite possible went down with you & bought sails for his boat.
The actual importation is a non event. The bigger thing is to make sure all the parts are present, & they are what is supposed to be there, ie he didn't swap out your nice Harken 7:1 blocks for a set from a Hobie 14. Preferably see the boat all rigged, then take it down to haul home.
You won't be going back to pick up any forgotten or misrepresented items, so make a list & check it twice. Have all your inspection points written down, it's to easy to miss/forget something.

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Hobie 18 Magnum
Dart 15
Mystere 6.0XL Sold Was a handful solo
Nacra 5.7
Nacra 5.0
Bombardier Invitation (Now officially DEAD)
Various other Dock cluttering WaterCrap
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Edchris177, are you from Manitoba?

I imported trailers in the past so I'm familiar with that process. I wasn't sure on the boat tho. Sounds like the boats don't have any registration, title or any other VIN/serial numbers that I should check or validate?

How did you find your Nacra boat (which website)? What's a good price for a boat like that? I'm looking for my first cat. Any tips for first time buyer?



Edited by snosheriff on May 21, 2012 - 08:14 PM.

You should have the boats VIN on the bill of sale, no other #'s to worry about. I don't think there is an equivalent to the title searches that we do on cars, to check for liens. In Canada you do not need to register boats that are only muscle or sail only powered, until they get to a certain length. I believe you can register a Cat voluntarily, it then goes into the database, & if a search is initiated, they know what they are looking for. On the other hand, Lake Winnipeg is probably the only water in MB that has coast Guard
Check Craigs list, (better in the USA), Kijiji for Canada, just google "catamaran for sale". This site has lots of listings, but most will be South of the Line.
Try to hang around some Cats before you buy, then you at least have an idea of what to look for. If the seller is honest, OK, but there are so many misrepresentations, & with no knowledge, so much goes over your head.
I don't know which Cat you are contemplating...
The Getaway is a heavy boat. If you are already towing a large trailer, you will be very tight to find space for the Getaway. Don't discount the Hobie Wave. IF you can find a decent used one around you. They are fun, though not nearly as fast as the others. They are pretty easy to put in the back of a truck, & those plastic hulls are tough. Your kids could sail it by 10 yrs old in light winds.
I sail out of Lake Simcoe, originally from S Alberta...my Mom was from Manitoba, if that counts.



Edited by Edchris177 on May 22, 2012 - 06:40 AM.

--
Hobie 18 Magnum
Dart 15
Mystere 6.0XL Sold Was a handful solo
Nacra 5.7
Nacra 5.0
Bombardier Invitation (Now officially DEAD)
Various other Dock cluttering WaterCrap
--