Fairings and ferries

[homer]

all very interesting reading
so they want your money and yet want no accountability, which they will have an insurance for that reason .
but in the event of a run aground or boat collision and say death , your get to sue them or seek compensation.

I just think i wont put my bike or car on the boat .

[pritch]

I just think i wont put my bike or car on the boat .

That does seriously limit your options. A sort of self imposed prison sentence.

There are other threads on KB about using the ferries and there is good advice therein.

Opinions are divided as to which company is better, but I tend to prefer the thoughts of those who have actually used both.

[homer]

Yeah i think my tought maybe a little . um un thought
but its gives a bad impression .

sounded like every time you go on a boat with your bike itll need fixing ?
lol

[pritch]

sounded like every time you go on a boat with your bike itll need fixing ?
lol

It shouldn't, but a rough crossing is always a possibility. I've only done a few crossings, eight in total, but so far so good...

[homer]

so they must supply all the strops etc
I dont even know how youd tie the bike down
althought i have a centre stand , id probably put it on the side stand
tie down the handle bars each side and pull about an inch down on the front sus .
then strop down the rear over the seat and pull about 2 inch down .
correct or miles away

[FJRider]

so they must supply all the strops etc
I dont even know how youd tie the bike down
althought i have a centre stand , id probably put it on the side stand
tie down the handle bars each side and pull about an inch down on the front sus .
then strop down the rear over the seat and pull about 2 inch down .
correct or miles away

As close as you need to get, in good weather. If shitty conditions are predicted, MORE. AND CHECK THEM OFTEN DURING THE CROSSING. Your OWN strops are advised. You KNOW they are useable then.

[homer]

oh ok
cheers for that , not heading on the boat any time soon but good to know
interesting thread .

[CookMySock]

tie down the handle bars each side and pull about an inch down on the front sus .then strop down the rear over the seat and pull about 2 inch down .correct or miles away

Pull it all down tighter than that, especially the front. Be careful not to overload and side-stand and damage it - ie keep bike upright as possible.

DB

[pritch]

AND CHECK THEM OFTEN DURING THE CROSSING.

In my experience neither Interislander nor Bluebridge will permit access to the vehicle deck during the crossing.

If things got really rough the vehicle deck would be a very unhealthy place to be.

[FJRider]

In my experience neither Interislander nor Bluebridge will permit access to the vehicle deck during the crossing.

If things got really rough the vehicle deck would be a very unhealthy place to be.

If permission is asked for, with crew escort /(Usually) availability you can.

[CookMySock]

If things got really rough the vehicle deck would be a very unhealthy place to be.

yeah that would be wild to see ay.. all those cars and trucks munting and rolling.. haha, hop in and let all their handbrakes off so they really get their boogie on lol..

DB

[FJRider]

Not with my bike/car strapped down there

[madandy]

I crossed in 1998 and they strapped my bike down for me. did a good job too. I wasn't exactly surprised to find I had to do it myself when riding the Ducati home recently.
The Ferry ticket stated no liability etc. but seeing as we are to strap down our own bikes these days and yuo did and then someone has tied your bike down some more after you had vacated the vehicle deck I'd be more than a little fucked off myself. The dumb bastard probably cracked your fairing tightening the strap and should be hauled over glowing hot coals for touching your bike when they make us responsible for securing them in the forst place.

[fireliv]

Phoenix and I have had bikes cross with both companies. We have always tied down our own bikes, and it really isnt that hard to work out how to do it.
Have found that they are really about the same, but the blue bridge will allow a bike to go on without a rider if need be putting it on as freight.

Hard luck with your bike, just one of those things, but yes I would be pissed off at the fact that someone touched it and put a strap on it.

[pete376403]

Only crossed on the Interislanders so far, this years Brass will be the first time on BlueBridge. In 14 years crossings have varied from mild to wild, but my bike has always travelled undamaged, after being tied down by me.
On the sidestand, two tiedowns from bars to deck pulling down on the front springs as much as I can. Then two tiedowns at the rear, from the passenger grab rails down to the deck and pull down on the rear springs as far as possible also. Finally find a couple of the big rubber wedges (car wheel chocks) and kick them either side of the back tyre.