Been a few years since we rented a boat. at boat checkout on the st martin french side we were told that if we sailed into the dutch side (phillipsberg for example) we would have to go ashore and go thru customs Said that was a new rule.
Is this true? seems illogical to me, in comparison , you land at SXM airport , cab to french side, rent a car, ok to drive back to dutch side without going tru customs just not in a boat?
We thought the issues of giving up time to find the customs office, go ashore in a dingy with all the passports and papers, hope they are not at lunch, etc --- we thought not worth it, so we stayed on the french side ports. seems u should be able to register with the charter company on the french side like u do with them for the marine parks at Tintamere and il foursche. If true it is a negative for us.
Is this a money thing - customs fees?

it is true. by boat you must clear out of one country to go to the other.
sounds silly since you can drive/walk/taxi anywhere on the island but not take your boat without the hassles.
Rule is still in effect

really silly if u rent in oyster pond would you check in and out at oyster, then sail to simpson bay and checkin and out to go to marigot or grand case????
we just decided to stay on the french side + st barts and did not do the dutch ports.
somebody needs to fix it. you pay the charter company in oyster pond the park fees for fouche, columbier and pinel, seems u could pay the fee for the dutch side too