Grand reopening sale!

Okay, so the details about how boaters will cross the Canadian border after Aug 9 are under a bit of fog that not even a heat dome can burn through.

The announcement on July 19 that the border would reopen to fully vaccinated American travellers on Aug 9 did not mention boaters or ports of entry, just air and land arrivals.

But that’s not going to stop us from celebrating — and make a special offer of Salish Sea Pilot cruising guides.

From now until the end of the year, any boater who purchases a complete 2021 set of Salish Sea Pilot cruising guides will receive an updated 2022 package free when it is released early next year.

The offer applies to both users who already qualify for the supporters price and to first-time package buyers — who will also be eligible for the supporters price when they upgrade their package in future cruising seasons.

The Canadian border reopening to US travellers on Aug 9 is not reciprocal, at least not yet. It is not known when US ports of entry will be open to Canadians.

US citizens and permanent residents must meet certain criteria. This includes providing proof of vaccination through the ArriveCan app or web portal, submit to a pre-entry coronavirus test within 72 hours of arriving at the border and be prepared to quarantine for 14 days if symptomatic or unable to meet other requirements. Random testing is also planned.

Some of the fog around how these criteria will apply to boaters is expected to be cleared up this week.