using ferries

[baxter]

Hi guys, and gals. Question, when using ferries that require bikes to be strapped down, do Spyders go with other vehicles or with bikes and need to be strapped down? Tks

[Yeochips]

I have a friend in Washington State that parks his Spyder with the cars when he travels on the Ferries (per Operators instruction). Reason is they wont tip over. Every State might be different.

[Brentc]

I’ve used 4 different in the northeast and have not had to tie down any. Only caution I would offer is to watch your approach. I’ve had to cone on at an angle to avoid scraping the nose.

[baxter]

Tks. Most ferries that cross short bodies of water do not require strapping but those such as the Alaskan coastal waterways, Bay Of Fundy and going to Newfoundland do.

[Gwolf]

Been on plenty of ferries. Never had to strap down 2 or 3 wheel bikes. If I was riding a 2 wheel bike I put it on the side stand and sat on it while we crossed. Most of it was less than 15 or 20 minute rides.

[Fatcycledaddy]

Have been across lake Michigan on the Badger, about a six hour trip, and didnt have to strap. Always had to on my 2 wheeler.
Went from Bar Harbor to Nova Scotia, that was an overnight trip, didnt have to strap down with the Spyder. I was towing my camper trailer both times.
Went on several ferries touring the barrier islands up the east coast, never had to strap down the Spyder.

[Brentc]

How did you enjoy the Nova Scotia trip? I had that all booked, but had to cancel last minute. Have thought about rescheduling?

Have been across lake Michigan on the Badger, about a six hour trip, and didnt have to strap. Always had to on my 2 wheeler.
Went from Bar Harbor to Nova Scotia, that was an overnight trip, didnt have to strap down with the Spyder. I was towing my camper trailer both times.
Went on several ferries touring the barrier islands up the east coast, never had to strap down the Spyder.

[merlot]

overnight ferry from tasmania to the mainland we line up with the cars..parking brake on..no strapping..booked on as motorcycle with sidecar and no extra for trailer

2 whheler on sidestand,in gear and tied down.......one crossing they tied bike down so tight off the handlebars,that the bars moved back nearly hitting the tank....i couldnt get them back up and undoing the bars was a nightmare as the bolts had those chrome plugs in,and i needed a spike to get them out...couldnt see out of rear view mirrors either....total pita clearing the ferry

after that episode,i always fitted straps to the frame and tied bike down myself

russ

[canamjhb]

I have taken Ferries in Washington State with both 2 and 3 wheelers for over 40 years. All bikes, including Spyders go to the front of the line because those loading the boats want to place us in places where cars sometimes won't fit. The only time I had to strap down the bike was taking the Coho from Port Angeles to Victoria BC and that was a 2 wheeler. When pulling a trailer with the Spyder, I was charged the Automobile rate rather than the Motorcycle rate due to my overall length..... Jim

[Northofthesix]

The ferries to Newfoundland load Spyders with the two wheel bikes and you are responsible to tie it down yourself

[ThreeWheels]

I have not had to strap down the Spyder, but I get FIFO (first in first out) treatment.
Take a look. This may help.

https://youtu.be/ibt-ivIPOO0

[Deanna777]

I also have rode on several ferries here in the Northeast, ( across Lake Champlain) Never had to strap down spyder, going across/ or coming back across. I usually sit on the spyder with parking brake on and enjoy the view.

The cars and motorcycles ,truck trailers are are put on together. Just watch the nose to of the spyder when you board/or exit the ferry. They charge different rates for the motorcycles.

The ferries that run across Lake Champlain run 24/7 Monday to Saturday, Also depending on the weather conditions( wind, Ice).

Deanna

[Gwolf]

I also have rode on several ferries here in the Northeast, ( across Lake Champlain) Never had to strap down spyder, going across/ or coming back across.

The cars and motorcycles ,truck trailers are are put on together. Just watch the nose to of the spyder when you board/or exit the ferry. They charge different rates for the motorcycles.

The ferries that run across Lake Champlain run 24/7 Monday to Saturday, Also depending on the weather conditions( wind, Ice).

Deanna

Yeah, been across at Fort Ticonderoga many times. Never had to strap it down. Left it in gear, parked on the deck.

[baxter]

Thanks for all the feedback on strapping down. I do take ocean going ferries on some trips and they require all two wheel bikes be strapped down. Didn’t know about three wheelers.

[safecracker]

I have been on 5 ferries. Spyder was not tied down. 4 of these ferries, wife and I sat on the Spyder. The big ferrie we were on, crossed from Digby, Nova Scotia to Saint John, New Brunswick, Spyder was not strapped down. Bruce

[UtahPete]

Hi guys, and gals. Question, when using ferries that require bikes to be strapped down, do Spyders go with other vehicles or with bikes and need to be strapped down? Tks

Haven't experienced a problem like that.

[will]

Thanks, great info for planning.