Importing non Catalytic (Canadian) boats to the US

gtyeegtyee Member Posts: 168 ✭✭✭
Anyone have any first hand experience in bringing a newer (2009+) boat into the US from Canada without catalytic converters on it for US emissions. All boats sold in the US since 2008 or 2009 have to have cats on it to be brought in. I'm getting different views and North South says its not a problem and they have done it before but are checking into it, but I don't want to be stuck with a boat here that I may not be able to register and?or sell except to someone in Canada. I'm totally sick over this and all the other Rinkers I looked at are sold! 

Comments

  • Black_DiamondBlack_Diamond Member Posts: 5,439 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1.  A customs broker is highly recommended. 
    2.  See this too:
    https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/1184/~/importing-a-boat-for-personal-use-into-the-u.s.

    Past owner of a 2003 342FV
    PC BYC, Holland, MI
  • Michael TMichael T Member Posts: 7,227 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited March 2016

    @gtyee I am having a heart attack too, as I never even considered this to be a problem. I talked with a neighbour who used to sell boats. It is his opinion FWIW that your 2013 EC 310 can be imported because the engines were manufactured in the United States and more important, were in no way modified. He believes that not only can it be imported but the engines could be re-built by a subsequent owner without adding catalytic converters because the engines are "grandfathered". I have to believe that North South Yachts, as a premium broker and certified American Broker would not make a mistake of this magnitude. How could they? I probably won't sleep tonight but I remain 99.9% sure that this will be resolved in your favor!!!!!

    BTW if this wasn't so serious I would say that maybe this is a sign that you should but my 360. It DOES have the cats!

    Seriously.....you HAVE to be alright. There's no way that yachting brokerage could be THAT stupid, to let your purchase get this far.

  • gtyeegtyee Member Posts: 168 ✭✭✭
    Worst scenario I buy a house in Canada and move !
  • Michael TMichael T Member Posts: 7,227 ✭✭✭✭✭
    No....first, I'll knock another 5K off my EC360 - you COULD live on that. Seriously..... I'm glad to see you are retaining your sense of humor, in this scary situation. This HAS to work out OK for you, there's no way that brokerage, and it's a highly respected one could make a mistake like that!
  • Handymans342Handymans342 Member Posts: 10,375 ✭✭✭✭✭
    It will take 5K to fill up that boat. LOL
  • Michael TMichael T Member Posts: 7,227 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Yeah, six times!

  • gtyeegtyee Member Posts: 168 ✭✭✭
    they have 5.7 350 mags

  • 212rowboat212rowboat Member Posts: 2,593 ✭✭✭✭✭
    people bring cars in all the time that don't meet emissions... I can't imagine there would be a big deal about the boats... the registration folks would have to be real pricks to bother you with it, and even if they did, it's just a matter of paying more fees... because that's what it's about to begin with- $$$.... 

    what I'd recommend you do, is you do the research- google and study the importation rules and drill down to emissions... find the forms and the fees... the reason I say this is because when you run into the idiots that work for our gov't, you can tell them what to do instead of let them tell you- and because the old "I don't know, but I'll find out" has been replaced systematically and categorically with "I'll make this sht up as I go"... 
  • Michael TMichael T Member Posts: 7,227 ✭✭✭✭✭

    100% with Drew's comments - don't leave the decision up to some poor guy who's so low on the food chain he's afraid to pass gas without written permission and remember..... that brokerage firm WANTS to sell you that boat. Make THEM do the legwork and provide the written assurance or better yet the paperwork to make this happen.

    I have to think that this will be solved to your satisfaction. For goodness sake this boat was manufactured in the U.S.A. in the Spring of 2013. I don't think either Mercury or Rinker stock pile too many engines so the engines were probably new too - Mercury would know that. Geez, the boat is almost new!

  • gtyeegtyee Member Posts: 168 ✭✭✭
    After having a very disappointing day finding out there is a good chance I can't bring this boat back to the US yesterday, I was feeling bad for my kids 19,21 yr old boys and my 23 yr old daughter of which two live in Chicago and all have been real excited to hang on the boat I calmed down on the way home after a phone call. My wife called and said my daughter has a "complicated cyst' (that is what the term is) on her kidney after an x ray was done. This poor girl has had two heart transplants since she was born, the last 2 yrs ago in her 23 years here. It makes this boat situation seem like it doesn't matter at all and my focus is on my baby. She will go in this week for an MRI and hopefully it isn't the C word, but removing the cyst is a tough surgery and my wife and I are saying our prayers. She was also the most excited about the boat for her and her boyfriend that live in Wrigleyville area and go to many Cubs games. It just shows you money isn't everything and we sometimes take it for granted. Praying on a good doctor visit and I'll figure this boat out somehow.  
  • Handymans342Handymans342 Member Posts: 10,375 ✭✭✭✭✭
    My prayers are with you!
  • randy56randy56 Member Posts: 4,083 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Hang in there, My prayers are with your family, Be strong
    Boat Name : 

  • 212rowboat212rowboat Member Posts: 2,593 ✭✭✭✭✭
  • MarkBMarkB Member Posts: 3,973 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Prayers.

    Boat Name: King Kong

    "Boat + Water = Fun"

  • Michael TMichael T Member Posts: 7,227 ✭✭✭✭✭
    My prayers and that of the Admiral are with you. As someone who has lived with bone marrow cancer for 14 years I can tell you that there is a lot to be hopeful for and yes, money and boating problems are irrelevant compared to family and health. That 310 brought me a lot of luck I hope it turns out to be lucky for you too!
  • raybo3raybo3 Administrator Posts: 5,501 admin
    Prayers going your way. Hope everything works out for you. God bless your daughter........
    2002 342 Fiesta Vee PC Point Of Pines YC Revere MA. popyc.org     raybo3@live.com
  • TonyWalkerTonyWalker Member Posts: 744 ✭✭✭
  • gtyeegtyee Member Posts: 168 ✭✭✭
    Thanks for all the prayers to all, it means a lot to my family.
  • gtyeegtyee Member Posts: 168 ✭✭✭
    Good news today! I called the guys at North South today and got a text back from my salesman that all engines and gen set have US EPA stickers on them and both of their US customs broker and titling agent said no problem. I then got an email from Mike (N/S owner) that all was good and had pictures of both stickers. I then called Kohler and spoke to a marine specialist that said customs are tough but its all good. I spoke with Mercury rep and he said not without catalytic converters would it get in the US, but further review the boat is a class H which means Manufacturer-owned engine which means Mercury holds a U S EPA certificate of conformity that overrides the cat converters. It took 30 phone calls to get it figured out but its done and I'm thrilled. Thanks for all the input from everyone as my next move was to buy MTs ec360!!
  • 212rowboat212rowboat Member Posts: 2,593 ✭✭✭✭✭
    helz yeah!!!!  you get that family of yours out on the lake early and often Captain!!!!
  • Michael TMichael T Member Posts: 7,227 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited March 2016
    @gtyee, I told you it would all turn out right with the boat. I think this is a good omen for your family!!!!! I could not believe that it would not be let back into the U.S. Now let's hit 1000 and hear that your daughter is going to be all right. Man, you and your family have sure earned some quality boating time and that boat will deliver it for you! Great news for me to hear tonight! P.S. I would have loved to sell you the EC 360 but am 100% happy that everything worked-out for you and if you want to move up next year and the 360 is still for sale you know where to find me! The Admiral just heard me cheer when I read your post and came into the den to see what I was up to. She says "Way to go and prayers for your daughter!" I'm so happy that the boat went to you - sometimes the things we have to fight the most for become special!
  • gtyeegtyee Member Posts: 168 ✭✭✭

    Thanks I can't wait. I need to Epoxy the hull and bottom paint it, any recommendations on a high quality bottom paint.

  • gtyeegtyee Member Posts: 168 ✭✭✭
    We go for an MRI on Thursday and pray for good news for my daughter. Thanks for the thoughts and prayers. 
  • Michael TMichael T Member Posts: 7,227 ✭✭✭✭✭
    @gtyee, prayers for good news for your daughter post MRI I have had fabulous luck with Interlux barrier coatings of InterProtect 2000E and Interlux 2 part epoxy final coats. Even though, like me, you will be boating on fresh water - I'd talk with guys in the area where you will be boating most of the time to see if they have any additives in their bottom coat, like anti-slime biocides, for site specific reasons.
  • raybo3raybo3 Administrator Posts: 5,501 admin
    gtyee good news coming your way............. Stay strong bro.....
    2002 342 Fiesta Vee PC Point Of Pines YC Revere MA. popyc.org     raybo3@live.com
  • Michael TMichael T Member Posts: 7,227 ✭✭✭✭✭
    @gtyee, You may want to tell whoever is going to do your bottom coat that I applied two coats of Meguiars Flagship Carnuba Wax, buffed it in and set it with cold water. That wax works its way into the gel coat pores and is amazing. I don't know what the guy from Port Credit who bought it from my dealer did but I'd bet there is still a lot of wax on that hull. I recommend that be assessed and removed if deemed necessary and not just sanded into the gel coat before applying the barrier coats. Just my 2 cents. MT
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