Cook Strait Ferries Megathread

[jellywrestler]

.is it imperitive to have ones own tie downs or do they have some onboard we can use? otherwise itd be about $200 for four pairs of decent tie downs eek!

you pay a fee per square meter more than cars and vans, just tell the crew you need tie downs, if it takes half an hour it takes half an hour, dont let them get away with not providing this service.

[oldman_rider2013]

Got to wellington today to get on the 3pm crossing told these is and issue with one of the life boats ....interislander strikes again!!!! Told to come back for 9pm crossing.that's if we make it out of the Cambridge hotel.awesome blokes at wellington motorcycles bought an Oxford strap of them
and they they are looking after our gear while we're in the pub

[Tazz]

Got to wellington today to get on the 3pm crossing told these is and issue with one of the life boats ....interislander strikes again!!!! Told to come back for 9pm crossing.that's if we make it out of the Cambridge hotel.awesome blokes at wellington motorcycles bought an Oxford strap of them
and they they are looking after our gear while we're in the pub

Yeah the 11am over this side didn't leave till 2:30/3pm. Not sure if it was a full one waiting for the berth to be free or the one with the problem but an Interislander was chilling out by Mabel Island (coming from Shakespeare Bay direction) earlier =/

As for your bike....that was good of them...

[BMWST?]

7 pm one from picton was about. 40 minutes late,took a few goes to berth,then took a long time to load,a good swell in the strait but the stabilizers did their job well!

[strumpet]

I've currently just boarded Straitsman Picton bound. Booked ages ago cos didn't think Interislander was totally reliable - good move. Seven booked bikes were allowed on, but 4 - turn up an take yer chance bikers - were turned away. The ship is filled to capacity with cars not able to get on the interislander. Crew member told me the Bluebridge is full to capacity until next Monday cos of Interislanders problems, also that (and purely the competition talking) the Stena also has some problem or other. Moral is: book before U get here.

[oldman_rider2013]

I took these on the way back on the blue bridge from (picton to wellington) a selection of blue bridge tiedowns & instruction diagram (I took my own Oxford handlebar strap
& two tiedowns )

[cynna]

bluebridge have the best chips ever - or maybe i was just starving

[_Shrek_]

bluebridge have the best chips ever - or maybe i was just starving

they have always had good food when we have travelled with them.... inter islander breakfast meals are yummy as well

[CrazyFrog]

I travelled on the Stena Alegra on Monday, sailing was a bit lumpy through the Strait, but the ship handled it well, seemed very stable.
It was bloody slow though, the standard crossing time is 4hrs on that ship, compared to 3hrs 30min on the others. And evryone seems to comment on really slow time to disembark after arrival, 20 mins seems to be the norm. Too fuckin slow. Effectively a 4hr 30min trip.

Sorry Interislander, but I won't use that boat again. But I did like the bikers weather shelter at check-in area in Wellington.

[Ocean1]

a selection of blue bridge tiedowns

Nawt wrong with 'em, I used almost identical tie downs for fookin' years.

[Mo NZ]

Nawt wrong with 'em, I used almost identical tie downs for fookin' years.

I agree. Cept mine don't have the metal hook.

Part of the problem a lot on blokes don't know how to tie a knot or which one to use.
Ropes take up less room and are much lighter as well.

[oldman_rider2013]

Nawt wrong with 'em, I used almost identical tie downs for fookin' years.

Never said there was anything wrong with them , just a picture of what's available.

[insomnia01]

Monday 10/3 0630 I'm away & into it 7days in the Sth & then 5 days in the Nth

[jellywrestler]

Nawt wrong with 'em, I used almost identical tie downs for fookin' years.

yeah the competent can use them and get a chance to use ones rarely used tying skills and walk away with a grin, but the desk jockey who parks his bike next to yours hasn't a clue and all the tying down of your bike in the world won't stop his falling on yours....

[Grubber]

I hear you all goin on about cost on ferry etc, not sure what ya on about really. I'm about to take a large ute and trailer loaded with race bike on the Bluebridge and it cost me nothing. Yup zero zip nothing for there and back again.
It's not what you know it's who you know aye fellas!