Interislander ferries review.

**JATZ** · 28th August 2010, 20:23

IMHO.....

Bluebridge travel @ crap times for me, so I use interislander. Never had a problem with finding tie down point either.And I take my own tiedowns
Put bike on sidestand, loosly tension up strop on s/s side then stand bike upright using tension of right hand strap, compresses the forks and holds bike upright, maybe put a strop aroundrear wheel to rear tie down point to hold bike steady

Never put the bike on the centre stand, metal deck and metal stand. Try pushing the bike sideways when it's on the centre stand, before it's tied down.
For the definitive tiedown method go and ask in the offroad forum

**220 Ohms** · 28th August 2010, 21:46

Last time I travelled by ferry with a group of bikes we all carried one rope and two ratchets each.
The bikes were put on sidestands then the rope was used to secure the rear wheel to the deck. The ratchets were hooked to each side of the lower triple clamp and anchored forward and out to the side of the bike, these were then tensioned pulling the bike forward against the rope and upright off the stand.

Not sure if this is the best technique but it worked for us on a mild sailing.
I'm due to cross the strait again in a few months so am interested in the different ways people secure their bikes.

There seem to be a few key things required, preventing the bike rolling forwards/backwards, preventing tip over and preventing the tyres from slipping out from underneath.
It seems like anchoring each wheel then having a tiedown on each corner of the bike would be the safest.

**Usarka** · 28th August 2010, 21:55

That "bring your own because of theft" thing fucks me off.

That's like being told to bring your own trolley to the supermarket due to the fact that the white trash knacker two doors down from the speed hump pushing three bags of dorritos, mozzeralla coated cheese balls, dips, pams special ho-sized tampons and 6 litres of cider decided she can't be arsed walking the six doors back to drop off the trolley because each time she gets to the door she gets sucked in front of the telly as Jeremy Kile's telling some dumb duufus that the lie detector has proven that his missus lied and that the baby is actually a boiled cabbage. FFS.

**pritch** · 28th August 2010, 22:04

Originally Posted by Usarka

That "bring your own because of theft" thing fucks me off.

It's not just that, it's quite possible that the items supplied are soaked in the various efliuvia flowing from sundry stock trucks.

Bling awarded for the creative content in the rest of your post

**oldrider** · 28th August 2010, 22:08

Originally Posted by Usarka

That "bring your own because of theft" thing fucks me off.

That's like being told to bring your own trolley to the supermarket due to the fact that the white trash knacker two doors down from the speed hump pushing three bags of dorritos, mozzeralla coated cheese balls, dips, pams special ho-sized tampons and 6 litres of cider decided she can't be arsed walking the six doors back to drop off the trolley because each time she gets to the door she gets sucked in front of the telly as Jeremy Kile's telling some dumb duufus that the lie detector has proven that his missus lied and that the baby is actually a boiled cabbage. FFS.

You actually watch Jeremy Kyle?.....that programme makes me wonder why I ride a "British" bike!!!!

Yeah, I always carry my own tie downs especially on the ferries and I always tie down my own bike!

**Kickaha** · 28th August 2010, 23:08

Originally Posted by oldrider

Yeah, I always carry my own tie downs especially on the ferries and I always tie down my own bike!

I've always done the same since the first crossing I made in the mid eighties

I choose what ever ferry is crossing at the most convenient time depending on where I am going and when I need to be there, Bluebridge or Interislander it's all the same to me it's just 3 hours wasted traveling time

**JATZ** · 28th August 2010, 23:11

Originally Posted by Kickaha

Bluebridge or Interislander it's all the same to me it's just 3 hours wasted traveling time

Amen......

**skippa1** · 29th August 2010, 09:32

The actual tie down bit is pretty much the same no matter what boat youre on(Bluebridge or Interislander), and Ive done a lot of crossings.(6 this year). Bring your own tiedowns. As for tying down on the side stand????? If I tie a bike down on a trailer or ute, I stand it up, get a small amount of compression on the forks, 1 strap each for the handlebars and that is sufficient. Why put tension on your side stand at all? I have seen some tie the bike up like a spiders web, ropes and tiedowns everywhere. What for? If you can give the bike a good wobble and it doesnt fall over, a rolling boat wont make it go.

Choice of boats? Interislander is more comfortable for the passenger......its my choice but it is more about crossing times and if Bluebridge times are better, I go with them. As previously said, it is just dead travel time for 3 and a bit hours.
Doing it again on Tuesday for the Cold Kiwi.....