Strapping down on a ferry
- Thread starter Brenchleyhibs
- Start date
Mr K
Registered user
Done that route a few times... the ship is huge, it barely moves and we were provided with ropes, chocks and padding.
i watch the crew do it then check mesen ehen they move to another bike 99.9% its usually fine if they do it
Simple
Bike on side stand, put in 1st gear, strap (provided by the crew) over seat and ratchet down nice and tight. It won't move anywhere
only any good if your bike is parked between cleat things on the deck. not so simple if your bike is directed up against a wall and there's only a piece of shitty blue rope to tie to a pipe.
FastFred
Registered user
I just take a towel and leave at top of tank bag for easy access or put wet suit under rope. Stand their while they do it as they are really bothered about your bike.
Try and push the bugger over once its strapped own, don't just trust a length of bailer twine and a few boy scout knots. Webbing straps are often hanging nearby on the vehicle decks, or you could carry one of your own in a pannier.
No ferry operator is gonna pay you compensation for your own neglicence.
No ferry operator is gonna pay you compensation for your own neglicence.
so if you tie it down yourself and it gets damaged, at least you're clear who's going to be paying.
you.
I've used the Santander ferry many times and always the same routine.
Center stand with a strap from the stand and around the front wheel, that way it cannot roll off the stand. They give you air pillows too, to place on the seat before they strap it down. I've had some choppy crossings and never had a problem. Seen some bent side stands though
I always hang around to see them strap it down, never a problem.
If I was just going to the top half of France though I'd always use the tunnel.
Center stand with a strap from the stand and around the front wheel, that way it cannot roll off the stand. They give you air pillows too, to place on the seat before they strap it down. I've had some choppy crossings and never had a problem. Seen some bent side stands though
I always hang around to see them strap it down, never a problem.
If I was just going to the top half of France though I'd always use the tunnel.
CaptainSlow
Registered user
Years ago on the Britanny Ferry to St. Malo I was made to tie my bike up myself with an oily bit of rope. When I finished they had parked the cars so close that I had to climb over the bonnet of a car to get out of the car deck
On the Isle of Wight Ferry there's no need to tie it down, just use the centre stand or side stand and in gear. They might give you a chock if they're feeling helpful but that's not normally necessary. Try to get the bike away form the uncovered areas on the Portsmouth route unless you like a salt encrusted bike....
On the Isle of Wight Ferry there's no need to tie it down, just use the centre stand or side stand and in gear. They might give you a chock if they're feeling helpful but that's not normally necessary. Try to get the bike away form the uncovered areas on the Portsmouth route unless you like a salt encrusted bike....
The Swedish BMW club organised a trip to Berlin when the wall opened up. We were 200 bikes on the car deck. They had something like 20 straps. Luckilly it was calm. But we were still worried about a hard contact with the harbour. No, everything went fine, no domino game.
STUBBS
undead
never had a problem with the crew securing the bike just watch them do it then walk away and enjoy the crossing
TonyJ
Guest
P&O
After sailing from Hull to Rotterdam I complained to P&O about the lack of assistance in securing the bike to a chain provided on the deck.
Their response was ' extensive customer reseacher says motorcyclists prefer to secure the own bikes'
I took this to be, you secure it, your liable.
I always take ratchet straps. Securing one off them either to the mainstand or sidestand
After sailing from Hull to Rotterdam I complained to P&O about the lack of assistance in securing the bike to a chain provided on the deck.
Their response was ' extensive customer reseacher says motorcyclists prefer to secure the own bikes'
I took this to be, you secure it, your liable.
I always take ratchet straps. Securing one off them either to the mainstand or sidestand
swissrob
Registered user
travelled with a mate on a swiss "thru mountain" car train recently with the bikes, his had the strap over the seat by the loaders, i did mine myself.
1st gear, side stand, brakes on with a velcro strap, straps front and rear via the subframe and wishbone.
after a bit of riding my matee complained his seat was strange, further inspection found the fwd seat mouning points on the frame were cracked through- the strap was too tight!
1st gear, side stand, brakes on with a velcro strap, straps front and rear via the subframe and wishbone.
after a bit of riding my matee complained his seat was strange, further inspection found the fwd seat mouning points on the frame were cracked through- the strap was too tight!
just carry some straps.........
for what they cost at machine-mart just buy some straps! Quite useful for towing, holding pannier lids on, crash repairs, etc etc.
You dont need to go ' ye ha' tight, have seen people ratchet and ratchet bikes down. just hold it firm enough not to bounce about. you're not trying to force it through the floor.
Cam straps are just as efficient for holding a bike. I use these 500kg ones. They're cheap, light weight and arent a complete pain to get undone like some ratchet ones can be.
http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/25mm-cam-buckle-strap
Roger.
for what they cost at machine-mart just buy some straps! Quite useful for towing, holding pannier lids on, crash repairs, etc etc.
You dont need to go ' ye ha' tight, have seen people ratchet and ratchet bikes down. just hold it firm enough not to bounce about. you're not trying to force it through the floor.
Cam straps are just as efficient for holding a bike. I use these 500kg ones. They're cheap, light weight and arent a complete pain to get undone like some ratchet ones can be.
http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/25mm-cam-buckle-strap
Roger.
Deleted account Cooperman
Registered user
Why not take the seat off, strap down over the bike frame, and then put the seat back on
Also stops the seat deforming.
+1 on this. Quite a large bunch of us (20 plus bikes) used a sea france ferry last year and they had about 6 straps!!!! luckily the sea was very calm. If I'm crossing by ferry I take my own now ....
jules
Registered user
Rosyth to Zeebrugge a few times and left the crew to tie down all our bikes. No damage at all, however it was calm. Side stand and 1st gear. I would be concerned if it was a rough crossing. My mate usually puts a turn of clear tape on his frame where he thinks it might be tied down. Norfolk Lines now and got a fantastic deal for September, £90 return with reclining seat.
Ok for what it is worth,did the Stena trip from Harwich to the Hoek of Holland last week.On the way over the crew put a bloody great chain across the deck and they strapped the bike down,didn't move an inch.Just needed some waterproofs to protect the seat.
On the way back it was left to me to strap the bike down to the chain - very simple,easy and safe,absolutely no worries.
Hope that helps someone
Kimbo
On the way back it was left to me to strap the bike down to the chain - very simple,easy and safe,absolutely no worries.
Hope that helps someone
Kimbo
Why not take the seat off, strap down over the bike frame, and then put the seat back on
Also stops the seat deforming.
Does sitting on your bike all day deform your seat
Most ferry companies provide a good strap with a protector and a tie down or ratchet strap WON'T deform your seat
Last year I spent 8 weeks traveling around the Greek Islands, definately cures you of worrying about bikes on ferries
Photo is one of the better examples!
Photo is one of the better examples!
