Taking a bike on the ferry

[Ender EnZed]

What's it like? I'll be trying it for the first time next week and I'm not too sure what to expect. Is there anything I should be aware of in regard to riding onto the boat or how to park and tie the bike down? Are suitable straps provided or do I need to take my own if the trip might be a little rough? Am I covered at all by the ferry company's insurance if something goes wrong? Do you have to take your luggage off or is it safe enough down there during the trip?

Thanks for any advice.

[Jantar]

I've done so many ferry crossings now that I've lost count. Depending on which ferry you are on there may be good tie downs provided, there may be ruined tie downs provided, there may be rope available, or there may be nothing. I always carry a set of two tie downs of my own, and if there are suitable extra ones then that is a bonus.

You will de directed where to park, but how you tie down is really up to you. I like to get my front wheel against a bulkhead (wall) and pull down hard on the front suspension. There are usually rubber wheel chocks available to jam in against the rear wheel, and the bike isn't going anywhere. I normally leave the side stand extended, but I'm carefull not to pull down onto the stand, its just an extra precaution. I also leave the bike in gear.

[onearmedbandit]

Not sure about the insurance, but otherwise no there is nothing special you need to know, the guys working the ferry will direct you both on and off. They do have tie-downs on board but most are pretty dodgy, so take your own. The times I've traveled I've left my luggage on the bike, from memory the vehicle deck is locked during the trip.

[PirateJafa]

I'm not sure if ferry operators have different limitations of liability than normal freight companies, but if they use the same carriage of goods act, then their liability for loss/damage is limited to a maximum of $1,500.

[Berries]

Use the official ramps.

[Gremlin]

tie the bike down yourself with your own tie downs. I use 3, 1 for each fork (spread as wide as possible), 1 for rear. In gear, front wheel chock, load the front suspension, bike upright.

[Muppet]

The last time I went on 'Das Boot' which was the Kaitaki, about a year ago, they had these bike stands attached to the boat.

You put the front wheel of the bike onto the stand and use the two tie downs, which are also attached to the boat, to wrap around the handlebars. I swear it took 2 minutes as opposed to the usual 10.

The deck officer told me they had decided to do it this way due to the theft of tie downs, about 10 a week according to him. I alway take the Kaitaki if I can as it hanles the rough seas better than those other bloody tug boats!!

[spajohn]

The others have covered it pretty well. When you have the bike strapped down there should be no weight on the side stand - it should be off the deck. If the bike is upright that will be the case.

We bought some Stanley tie downs from Mitre 10 for the girlfriend the other day. A little bit more than the cheap crap ones I've got, but much easier to use.

[Bounce001]

And don't forget the ramps can be bloody slippery...

[kit]

And don't forget the ramps can be bloody slippery...

+ 1 Agreed!

[cynna]

i always leave all my luggage on the bike. use bungees to hold my jacket, and helmet to the bike just to make it harder for anyone to walk buy and grab them. there is no access to the vehicle deck once its loaded so its pretty safe

[sinfull]

Can you swim ?

[onearmedbandit]

+ 1 Agreed!

Yip. On my last trip on the way back Wellington was living up to it's rep with torrential downpours and 'blow your glove 20mtrs away' winds. Was not a lot of fun waiting that day, so I found myself a little shed and took refuge in there smoking back ciggies. Made the ramps even more interesting. But it was worth it when I arrived in sunny Picton.

[RnB Fan]

Last time I went across I stored my gear in the lockers provided on the ship. Cost me $3 for the crossing (I think) but was really handy not having to lug a bag and helmet, jacket etc around for 3 1/2 hours. Different ferries have different sized lockers so on the way back I used 2 but still a bargain compared to having to keep my stuff with me.

[Muppet]

Last time I went across I stored my gear in the lockers provided on the ship. Cost me $3 for the crossing (I think) but was really handy not having to lug a bag and helmet, jacket etc around for 3 1/2 hours. Different ferries have different sized lockers so on the way back I used 2 but still a bargain compared to having to keep my stuff with me.

Good piece of advice!