Ferry crossing on Friday Wellington to Picton

**Macktheknife** · 15th January 2007, 11:35

All been said really, first time I went a sfar as to check my luggage before boarding, what a pain that was! Don't bother.
Just use your own tie-downs, I found rachet ones work best for me, pratice before leaving so you know how it will work.
Lockers for bike gear were very useful, and a book or have a nap on the way over.

**sunhuntin** · 15th January 2007, 11:43

just remembered....take a pack of gingernuts! i nearly lost the food from the day before on the way south, and fell asleep on the deck cos i couldnt handle being inside.
heading north i was told to buy a pack, which i did. much better trip...they really settle the old gut. was able to actually walk around without feeling green.

**Hitcher** · 15th January 2007, 12:10

Ginger is an effective antiemetic, but please use the real thing. Ginger ale and gingernuts only contain artificial ginger flavouring, not real ginger. Bundaberg ginger beer contains real ginger (Macs doesn't). If in doubt, read the list of ingredients.

**petesmeats** · 15th January 2007, 16:39

Done the trip twice so far and am due to do it again mid feb sometime...
Each time i had no tie downs of my own and still managed to get it to not fall over. The brake idea is a good one and practice tying it down before hand...
You can lock your helmet onto your helmet lock and just carry your jacket with you. As for gear, first trip i left my bag on my bike and noone touched it, second trip i left my gear in my mates car who was also travelling up.

People are not allowed on the car decks during the crossing... I wanted to go make sure my bike was ok on the second crossing and got about halfway down the first flight of stairs before being told in no uncertain terms that i wasn't meant to have jumped the rope barrier...
So your gear should theoretically be ok.

Most importantly...
Take something to pass the time on the ferry cos it is the most boring trip in the world and you cant even get drunk (legally) cos your driving...

Have a good trip.
Pete

**HenryDorsetCase** · 15th January 2007, 17:02

just did it last night.

The only 2 points are: if you can, book ahead, its waaaay cheaper (I paid $140 one way and $120 the other. very expensive IMO)

Arahura had decent tiedowns. If you can, use 4, rather than two (ie. one long one over each end of the bike). get a chock each end, and definitely leave it in gear with the brake on.

I dont recommend getting off the 9.30 ferry then riding down to Christchurch. there was no gas at Kaikoura last night/this morning (luckily it wasnt required)...

**Meanie** · 15th January 2007, 18:13

Thanks everyone for all your helpful suggestions, i will deffinatley take my own tie downs and tape my front brake on (something i hadnt thought of)
I will get a locker as well cause i realy dont want to cart all my gear with me for three and a half hours
The weather is lookin awesome for the week end so heres hoping

**Hitcher** · 15th January 2007, 20:09

With tie-downs tight (make sure the suspension is loaded up) and the supplied wedges under the front and rear wheels, it's pointless either leaving the bike in gear or taping the brake. It's not going to go anywhere unless something big and heavy falls on it (e.g. cars and rail wagons when the Interislander skipper gets his boat over past 50 degrees) or a tie-down breaks (highly unlikely).

**White trash** · 15th January 2007, 21:01

I was on the Arahura last weekend and low and behold, what did I see but a big rack of shiny, brand new, motorcycle style, ratchet tie downs. I was stoked.

Came home on the one that keeps breaking down and because they park the bikes right up towards the bow on that critter, I never noticed what was available.

**davereid** · 16th January 2007, 16:40

Toll change the fares - increasing them as departure day arrives, so to get a good fare you have to book ahead. Bluebridge just have a set fare, you either get a spot or you don't, but they dont rip you off for being late to book.

The best way imho to tie your bike down (and its never failed for me touchhead) is to use your own QUALITY ties with a rachet and then..

Put bike on stand, center best if you have one. Take a single tie from back wheel to a tie down location behind the bike. Then take a pair of ties, one from each handle bar to a location about 30-45 deg to one side and in front of the bike. Keep tightening up the ties in rotation, until your bike has moderately compressed front forks, and cant move back forwards or sideways.

Go to bar, drink moderately and pray for a good sailing.