Ferry crossing on Friday Wellington to Picton

**Meanie** · 14th January 2007, 21:47

Just want a little advise, i am crossing the cook straight on friday and coming back on sunday and although i have crossed many times before with the cage i havnt done with the bike
I was told i need to take my own tie downs to secure my bike down, is this right or do they supply them on the ferry I was gonna take some anyway but thought i would ask anyway

another question What do you do with all your gear ie back pack, riding gear, helmet, its quite a lot to carry round and a lot to loose if left unattended
Some advise from some one who has been over with thier bike would be appreciated
Maybe ill see some fellow KBrs on the crossing it leaves Wellington at 10.30
Back on Sunday about 1.15 both with Toll

**nodrog:Me** · 14th January 2007, 21:56

I went across on bluebridge last year, took my own tiedowns (because I know they work), bike never moved an inch. We just left all our gear on our bikes, never had a problem as nobody is allowed on the car deck during the crossing.

**T.I.E** · 14th January 2007, 21:57

the ones that they supply on the boats are ok but best if ya take ya own too, just incase. it helps.
once ya have gone up stairs your not really allowed back down till later, but best take ya gear with ya. just incase only takes one bugger to take ya jacket or helmet, also if that boats starts a rocking who knows were in the ship ya gear ends up downstairs lol.

**T.I.E** · 14th January 2007, 21:59

at home think about where ya gonna tie the ties ( i love my name ) too ya bike, may be an idea to take some rags with ya to help with any unessary rubbing. the mounts on the boat and front and rear to the sides if that makes sense.
na makes no sense. when ya park ya bike up, the boat tie points are to the front and rear of the bike off too the side. 4 pints.
na i give up someone draw a pic. lol.

**nudemetalz** · 14th January 2007, 22:17

Done the trip many times with a bike.
Couple of points.

You can buy handlebar sleeve tie-down points for your bike from most bikeshops. Fairly sure Welly Motorcycles sell them. Great for full faired bikes which are difficult to tie down.

Yes, definitely invest in your own tie-downs and I would advise taking your gear with you as T.I.E says.

Also, watch if there are any people tying down their bikes next to yours. Yours may be secure but is theirs? That's why I normally give other people a hand once mine is tied down.

Hope this helps.

Cheers
NDMz

**Kinje** · 14th January 2007, 22:20

Take your own ties. The ones they give ya arent great. I had 2 of my own- 1 on either side at the front and used one of theirs at the back. Didn't go anywhere. I carried all my gear with me on the boat- bit of a pain, but good peace of mind, and way better than finding it gone

Enjoy the Mighty South Island- lucky

**vinducati** · 15th January 2007, 06:23

It's a busy time of year.
Take your own tie-downs.
Take a rubber band or something to hold the front-brake on.
Leave it in Gear.

If you can, go with Bluebridge, the crew are much better and the bike space is a hell of a lot better. Would never use the Interislander again to be frank.

Cheers

**Kickaha** · 15th January 2007, 06:40

Originally Posted by vinducati

If you can, go with Bluebridge, the crew are much better and the bike space is a hell of a lot better. Would never use the Interislander again to be frank.

Haven't ever had a problem with Interislander but then I've never used Bluebridge to compare, what was so bad about them?

If you use Interislander they have lockers you can hire for $2 (i think) that you can store your gear in, I always take my riding gear with me

**limbimtimwim** · 15th January 2007, 06:42

I agree about using the bluebridge. Both times I've been on there a member of the crew has offered to help. No such luck on the interislander.

Next time I will take my own tiedowns though, all the bluebridge had was grubby ropes and I am shitty at making knots.

**pritch** · 15th January 2007, 07:00

Originally Posted by nudemetalz

Also, watch if there are any people tying down their bikes next to yours. Yours may be secure but is theirs? That's why I normally give other people a hand once mine is tied down.
NDMz

A good thought.

I also put the front brake on and then duct tape it there.
Put the bike in gear and use their chocks.

Should be going through all this again in March myself. Haven't used Bluebridge but the comments here mean I may look at it. I guess it comes down to sailing times...

I should have hard panniers this trip which will mean less gear to carry round the ship.

**magicfairy** · 15th January 2007, 07:24

Originally Posted by Kickaha

If you use Interislander they have lockers you can hire for $2 (i think) that you can store your gear in, I always take my riding gear with me

Yep on all the Interisland ferries there are banks of lockers big enough to fit helmets jackets etc. You pay about $2 coin (it may be $4, just have some coins on you), get assigned a locker automatically and can think pick a PIN to allow entry / exit as many times as you like during trip. Times out after 4 hours (hopefully trip will be over by then)
Easy to use, all instructions where you find the lockers, no need to involve staff.

**Hitcher** · 15th January 2007, 07:39

I'd vouch for the Bluebridge too. Better bike parking (dry floor, proper floor links, first on, first off, friendlier more helpful crew. That said, their first boat (Santa Regina) is set up better for bikes than their second (Monte Stello). But follow the instructions of their crew -- they know what to do!

**SilentDtH** · 15th January 2007, 07:52

I used the interislander from Picton to Wellington. Crew helped me ( eventually ) to tie down with the ropes supplied. There are slightly raised slots for your wheels to fit into which helps with the positioning/balancing a little. I didn't tape the break but left the bike in gear.

I carried my riding gear on with me, proved to be a pain carrying it around with me ... plus it was soaking wet. I was advised by the staff to change in the childcare room, this was great and had an air-heater so i could dry some of my stuff. I took all my riding gear off, got a change of clothes, got some food and enjoyed the ride

On entering the ferry I was lucky enough to get picked out of the line by a nice interislander staff member who said "There's no point in two of us waiting in the rain"

Praise to that man!

As for bikes falling on bikes, I was the only bike on the ferry.. would've been nice to share the journey with another.

**sunhuntin** · 15th January 2007, 08:06

i crossed both ways. took my own tiedowns.
first time ever on a boat, and also at tying down a bike. i had her in neutral, and she never shifted.
best to keep jackets with you cos it gets bloody cold on deck [i dont do well inside]

first time, the whole bike section was full [i was last in line] so i got to watch a few others before attempting my own. no troubles though....pulled the ropes as tight as they would go.
second time, i was the only bike, so used a chock under the front wheel.
i had saddle bags and a top box, but they were both full, so had to keep my gear with me, though i did lock helmet on to the lock on the bike.

**Kinje** · 15th January 2007, 10:20

Originally Posted by Meanie

Maybe ill see some fellow KBrs on the crossing it leaves Wellington at 10.30

Oh, and yeah theres a good chance you'll meet some others. I met a couple of others as we were tying (sp) our bikes down and we were all going to ChCh. Chilled out together on the ferry, then rode down together all the way

Nice to have some company.

And on the way back up, met someone from Timaru who knew my dad! Small world!