Ever driven your Spyder onto a ferry?

[NorwegianRT]

Been on the ferry from Norway to Denmark, no problem.
Then a smaller ferry in Germany that took us over the river "Elbe", no problem there either.
At the end of the trip, the ferry from Holland to Norway, also no problem.
And as stated earlier, going at an angle is safer if it looks too steep.

 

[KX5062]

I've taken a Canadian lake ferry with no issues at all. It was fun, actually.

 

[RickWB]

I live on Vancouver Island, BC Canada. To get to mainland North America, must take a ferry. Never an issue with the ramp. Two wheel bikes are supplied with a wedge to prevent bike from tipping; only need to apply park brake with my Spyder.

 

[Columbia]

I've driven my bike onto a ferry many times in Washington State and British Columbia, two wheels and three.

Most of the ferry folks here in the West are quite good. They are familiar with bicycles, motorcycles and Spyders (a form of motorcycle!) Two wheels I've had to tie down on the Canadian ferries, not the Washington boats. No tie down on either with my Spyder.

When things get wet, I get nervous, but I have never had an issue.

Low tide isn't much of a problem at most docks. The docks extend far enough to not be bothered by tides. SOME of the smaller islands in the San Juans and Queen Charlotte Islands have steeper ramps at low tide, but, again, if you're careful, and you follow directions, even a steep ramp is not difficult at all.

 

[PistonBlown]

I bought my first Spyder in the North Island (New Zealand) so had no option but take it on the ferry to get back home. Have used the ferries several times since with no problems.

Only issue I've had is when some diesel had been split on the metal deck which made my rear wheel keep losing grip as I rode off.

I always take my own tie downs, as it's hit or miss if there will be anything suitable for the Spyder and it can be choppy between the islands.

 

[PDXRTL]

I always take my own tie downs, as it's hit or miss if there will be anything suitable for the Spyder and it can be choppy between the islands.

What benefit do the tie downs provide since a Spyder won't fall over or roll (the usual reasons, I think, for tying down two-wheelers)? Are we talking choppy enough to toss a Spyder into the air?

 

[PistonBlown]

What benefit do the tie downs provide since a Spyder won't fall over or roll (the usual reasons, I think, for tying down two-wheelers)? Are we talking choppy enough to toss a Spyder into the air?

The Cook straight has a bit of a reputation...to give you an idea:

 

[PDXRTL]

OH MY! I don't think we'll see anything like that but taking some tie downs might be good just in case. Can't use 'em if you don't have em.

 

[Peter Aawen]

OH MY! I don't think we'll see anything like that but taking some tie downs might be good just in case. Can't use 'em if you don't have em.

That's not awful PDX. They do stop the ferry service there if things get  too rough.

A few years back, while on a bit of a tour over there, the Child Bride'n I had a looonnng ferry trip (well, it was 'a ride' really! ) almost all the way over, before the ferry got sent back to where we'd started. Had a much easier trip (a bit more like those ^^ shown up there) across the next morning.

Ps: We did have and use our own tie-downs, but were parked tucked away sorta alongside/behind a dirty great structural pillar, so none of the vehicles that moved got anywhere near us - not that they could really - not without some significant structural damage to the ferry, anyway!

 

[Deanna777]

Yes, I took a ferry from Grand Isle Vt. to Plattsburgh, New York; also took a ferry from Shoreham, Vt. to Fort Ticonderoga, New York.

Just buy your ticket, get on the ferry, cross, and get off the ferry.

Deanna

 

[tntnj]

I take my 2021 RT onto the Cape May Ferry with no problems.

 

[Raven]

We're hoping the wild fire smoke won't be so bad that we have to change plans and direction.

Smoke hasn't been too bad here in Ontario.
Had a few hazy days, looked more like overcast.
They sent out a few air quality alerts, but it wasn't too bad.
Have a safe and fun trip.

 

[Poppie65]

Smoke hasn't been too bad here in Ontario.
Had a few hazy days, looked more like overcast.
They sent out a few air quality alerts, but it wasn't too bad.
Have a safe and fun trip.

That's great news! Thank you for sharing.

 

[AstroTom]

Travel Policies - Alaska Marine Highway System

View Alaska Marine Highway policies, the services and amenities offered, check-in and customs information and much more.

dot.alaska.gov

Under motorcycles, it says the owner is responsible for carrying proper tiedowns. Like with so many rules and procedures, often the interpretation of a rule changes depending on who's enforcing it at the time. I can see some ferry workers understanding a Spyder is different, and others going by the book, that a bike is a bike regardless of the number of wheels. Sure, tying down a two wheeled motorcycle makes sense, and our spyders don't fall over and have parking brakes, but I'd hate to pull onto a ferry, have someone demand I tie the bike down, and I don't have any straps. I'd throw in some straps just in case.

A different question about ferries. I'll be heading north next month taking the Alaska Marine Hwy System from Bellingham to Haines. The two wheel motorcycles I'm with will be required to be tied down.

But has anyone taking the AMHS been asked to tie down their Spyder?

I can't imagine why since we can't fall over other than "it's a motorcycle so it has to be tied down."

 

[PDXRTL]

I'd hate to pull onto a ferry, have someone demand I tie the bike down, and I don't have any straps. I'd throw in some straps just in case.

I think that is very wise advice AstroTom and others who have said similar things. I will definitely take some straps with me. Thank you all!

 

[sandeejs]

I took the ferry from Maine to Nova Scotia a couple of years ago. No problem with the Spyder.

 

[vito1943]

Any ramp that would be steep enough to make a problem for a Spyder would likely be a problem for many cars as well. I haven't had occasion to be on a ferry but I don't think I would even think about it as a problem unless I saw cars being hung up due to the slope of the ramp.

 

[Dakota Jim]

I've taken a ferry across Lake Michigan and there was no ramp. The deck was level with the dock, and I had no problem, drove straight on. That is what you need to look at.

I've also rode the Badger across Lake Michigan, no problem, straight on - straight off.