I have made the trip probably 15 times in the last four years and have never had a time where we could not make it safely. (from Bellingham to Oak Bay and Sooke in a 23 foot trophy) How do you plan on clearing Customs coming back to the U.S. ? Pretty sure that you are required to have an I-68 form to clear customs on a boat now. If you don't have an I-68 form they are easy to get and makes it really easy to clear U.S. customs by cell phone.