I can't answer many questions about sailing, but this one I can help with.

The Can/US border really isn't that scary. I have a cabin in Sault Saint Marie MI. We're right on the border and we cross it quite often.

Until Jan 1, 2008, you do NOT need a passport to walk, boat or drive across the border. You are technically supposed to have your birth certificate AND a photo id (drivers license or military id). In 15 years or so of crossing and back, I've NEVER been asked for my BC, only my license. If you have kids traveling with you, bring their BC and if their name doesn't match yours, a letter from the kids parents saying it's ok for them to travel with you.

As was already said, be polite and look the agent in the eye. Turn your radio off, have your window down and your paper work ready before you pull up to the booth. Their questions will be about where you live, where you were, and what you did in Canada (did you buy anything). Don't beat around the bush or spout off about a bunch of junk about your weekend, just answer their questions.

Don't sweat it, remember, these people are just doing their job and they deal with thousands of vacationers crossing the border every day. Be comfortable and act like it's common place for you to be driving across the border. You have as much right to be there as the 200 cars in line behind you. Don't stand out, just be another number.

The question about the extra time to drive around CAN being worth it, only if you're hauling product that still has tags on it or a trunk full or booze, potatoes or dirt. Have to pay duty on the booze and you can't take the potatoes or dirt into CAN <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

That's all I can think of for now.