Me/NUDGER & wor lass are going to the Isle of Man next week Having never been on the IOM ferry before I have a couple of questions 1 do I need to take tie down straps? Took a ferry to the Isle of Arran once and they strapped the bike down so hoping for the same 2 once we’re at Heysham can wor lass just walk on and off the ferry or will she have to stay with me and NUDGER?
Cheers mate I’ll take a couple of straps with me then Ben My Chree is for our outbound journey and according to the schedule takes 3hrs 45mins Our return is on the Manannan and it says it takes only 2hrs Must be turbo charged
Have an old t-shirt or similar handy to protect the paintwork of you bike if necessary. They don't care but you most likely do!
Also be aware that with entry and exit from the same door, you have to make a U turn before riding off the ship, this is ok unless the deck is wet, then it’s very slippery! Be aware.
Padding/protection for ALL the straps; two extra ratchet straps of your own and zip ties for the front brake. Don't forget a knife/blade/leatherman to cut the zip ties. EDIT :- you can get compact, self retracting ratchet straps - Amazon or B&Q do them. They'll potentially save space and aggro!
What you want is some kind of trailer to carry your stuff in... you could carry your own wheel chock in it... there’s some bloke on this forum who makes them...
Its been a about 3 years since I sailed on the Heysham tug and there were no straps then. I think the crew tied the bikes down. On the Manannan, which I’ve used a lot, the crew tie your bike down for you which is better because if anything goes wrong it’s their responsibility. They use a piece of rope to tie the bikes to the handrails that run along the centre of the boat. Thats what happens for the TT, Southern100 and ClassicTT/MGP sailings. Also leave your bike in gear and on its side stand.
Brittany ferries broke the seat on someone's bike on the return from Santander last year. It was a ratchet strap job, tho there were several bikes all fastened in line on a steel rope and I think that with each bike being added the tension on the rope increased til something had to give? Or, it could have been a crack handed deck hand! Either way I didn't like the rope idea, if it breaks all bikes in that line are vulnerable.
Had a nice conversation with Alan (@Smilinjack ) earlier this evening He’s put my mind at ease with regards to the ferry crossings So thanks to his insights and reassurance the IOM trip is back on Cheers Alan
Not been on the IOM ferries, but across the channel and down to Bilbao loads of times. The crew have always strapped my bike down and not had any problems. Side stand, full lock and strap for the front break. You will be fine Dilli.... go enjoy it.
I had a seat damaged by the Brittany Ferries crew on the Santander to Portsmouth ferry about 3 years ago when the crew strapped the bike (Tiger 800) down to tight using a ratchet strap down. I reported it immediately to a crew member who got a officer to come and have a look, he took pictures of the seat and filled a damage report in. Within two days Brittany Ferries had contacted me and told me to get a new seat at their expense, so I got a Triumph Comfort seat Once at home it took me about half hour to sort out the old seat, it was as good as new and the new Comfort seat was sold.
Dilli,fuel over in the IOM is about 7 pence a litre dearer than over here and all the petrol stations charge the same, there’s no cheap supermarket petrol. Just thought I’d mention it with you being a tight arse
