Originally Posted by hblair

Well guys, after weeks of calling, consulting, inquiring, etc. with customs, the michigan dept of state, my lawyer, jaysflatdeck, and glassdave, this boat is now sitting here at the shop. I am thankful to Jay for selling it me. This boat wasn't very far from getting cut up and going to the landfill.There was a lot of red tape to deal with bringing a boat into the u.s. from canada that had not been registered since 1990.

Me, my brother Brian, and my fearless helper Shon got back home this morning about 10am from a 1600 mile 30 hour marathon drive, from northeast Alabama, to Kingshill, Ontario and back. I was glad my brother Brian went, and I was glad he had a passport. We stopped in toledo to get the trailer. (thanks glassdave, you're a lifesaver!) We got to the ambassador bridge in Detroit, Shon and I bailed since with no passport we could not reenter the U.S.

Brian went across in the truck and trailer for the 45 minute ride to Jay's to get the boat. But Brian wasn't answering his phone. Little did we know that Canadian customs was tearing into all our stuff in the truck, interrogating Brian, looking thru his cell phone etc.
Brian was driving a truck owned by Shon from Alabama, dragging a trailer owned by Dave in Toledo, to purchase a boat from Jay in Ontario for Heath in Alabama. I mean it was a simple plan right?? lol

The canucks gave him a hard time. He finally was able to call and let us know he was on the way to the boat. Shon and I took a cab over to the Rennaisance center to hang out til Brian came back across to the U.S. After a while Brian called to let us know he was on the way back. Shon and I tried to get a cab back over to the Ambassador bridge. No such cab was available. We walked the 3 miles in the 32*~ snowfall. It wasn't a whole lot of fun. Finally made it over to the bridge. Told the customs people our deal. They look at you like your crazy. I'm thinking aw man, came all this way for some kinda red tape to happen and not be able to get the boat. Brian calls us as he gets to the bridge. The pressure is on. I had my notarized bill of sale. I had called the port of entry several times last week before the trip to be sure everything was good, but you never know.

Finally Brian gets across the bridge. We get our paperwork done, and leave with the boat in tow!
I wanted this boat pretty bad. It's just an old project boat with rotten stringers and transom and a rough interior. But I've always wanted a 38' flatdeck scarab. And we can make this one how we like it. Here's some photos...

Me, Shon, and Brian...


At a rest area on the way home...




Good looking lines...