It's been a long wait! I would look at the Crate Marine Webcam almost every day! https://cratesbelleville.com/web-cam-at-crates/ and the weekly weather forecast.
During this time, we were trying to figure out how to get all of our boating items up to the new boat. The first thing we checked on was to rent a one way van/SUV. We figured we would load it up with as many items as we could and purchase the other items when we got there. Very disappointing! You can not rent a car or van in the US and drop it off in Canada. You must take it back to the US. That would mean Josh would waste a day taking the rented vehicle back over the border and taking a cab to the train station and the train back to Belleville.
Thank goodness for U-Haul! We can rent a 10ft truck, load it up with ALL of our stuff and drive it to Belleville, unload and drop it off right up the road from the marina. Happy, Happy, Happy!
We've done a lot of homework. Thank goodness for the Loopers forum and all the knowledge from experienced people! We purchased the set of three Canada Ports Cruising Guides, a one way TSW Lockage permit and a seasonal mooring permit. I think we are ready (or as ready as can be!)
Buying a boat in another country is quite different from buying a boat in the US. Lots of things to think about. The more questions we asked, the more confused we got, especially with customs. Nothing is standard! What we are told is that it all really depends on who we get when we cross the border.
As soon as I saw the snow/ice melting I was so happy but our Canadian friends said "just wait, it's teasing you, it's not over yet"!
Josh and I couldn't stand it any longer so we planned a fast trip up to evaluate/do some measuring/ make an inventory list of what we would need for the boat so we'd be ready for the grand trip home.
Let me just say that this fast trip was an adventure! It started off with a very bumpy flight, lots of sick people and us not being able to land in Toronto. Yup! The pilot tried two times, aborted both tries and we had to land in Rochester, NY. United paid for our room for the night and we landed in Toronto the next day. An adventure that we will never forget, but we lost a day on our short recon trip!
We finally arrived in Belleville at our boat. It was a good feeling to see her. We did our outside measuring before climbing up the ladder to go inside. We were happy to see that the new stern thruster was partially installed.
Up the ladder we go. The winter cover is unbelievable! It's literally a tent over the boat.
Once inside the boat, we had a little bit of a surprise! Everything unattached had been removed! We were missing items that were listed on the original brokerage listing like the two teak chairs and table on the back deck and the two chairs and table in the main salon.
It turned out to be a big misunderstanding and the items would be returned. After we left the boatyard for the drive back to Toronto to fly home, we decided to do some exploring and check out Trenton Marina and the first couple of locks that we'd be traveling along the TSW.
More ice melting needed and construction on the locks needs to be completed. We are so looking forward to this trip! (see purple line)
