Has anyone taken their Wedge on the Stena Discovery?

[digga951]

As per the title really. I'm taking the Wedge to Holland in the first week of September and will be using the Stena Superferry. I've taken my other car on it, but just wondered if any Wedgers have had problems with ground clearence etc. I must admit, the spiral loading platforms that you have to drive around in Harwich seem tight even in normal cars, so I reckon getting the Wedge nose around those won't be overly easy! The lanes actually inside the boat are a scary experience too, with an upstanding ridge of metal around the edge of the boat. Anyone ever done any damage???

Still, previous experience has shown me that the cheap silver gaffer tape you can get from Wilkonsons is an almost perfect colour match for my lower spoiler when repairs become necessary...

[chassis 33]

Having seen the exotica that manages on the ferrys to LeMans each year, it shouldn't be a problem. Most ferries have helper ramps etc incase there is a low slung car.

Regards
Iain

[wedg1e]

I've been on Explorer and Voyager (in the van); if Discovery is the same I can't think of anything I've noticed that would scare me off taking my wedge on board.

[blueone]

I have taken my Esprit on the on of the ferries at Harwich several times not sure of the names only problem was they always parked me next a large posts/structure and had to get out the passenger side. Think this was deliberate as you make a complete idiot of yourself getting out the passenger side of any decent sports car.

Ground clearance was no problem except need the additional ramps sometimes, think this depends on the state of the tide and the ferry people provided when required

[firefox1712]

Ask the Dutch guys Dan - they would have used it recently for BBWF. Gunmetal and friends will be able to tell you.

[jchase]

Drove mine to sweden last summer - took the sea cat from Harwich. I don't recall any problems on the helical ramps. Nor on the Hell to Hell ferry to sweden. Parking in Copenhagen was a bit tricky, but I do have an extra glass bit to see through on the FHC. Oh, and campsites in holland seem to all have speed bumps about 1 metre high, which means the passenger has to get out, if you want a chance of clearing them...

-Jim

[dinkel]

Ask the guys from Blackpool a/d Rijn - Gunmetal, Cantus and all - if speedbumps are indeed a pain for the 350i.

Just avoid the stone pavementroads

I could give some advice on alternative routes: Lekdijk is awesome and a bit of a stretch.

[digga951]

Thanks for all the replies so far people! It sounds like it will be ok then, but I like to know what I'm up against in advance. No point in ripping a spoiler off to then be told a few weeks later that the ferry has a special ramp that you can request!

I've already sorted my campsite out and its speedramp free - its in Zwolle and I stayed there a couple of weeks ago. Really nice actually and even has some resident goats that bleet all night... Most of the speed ramps in Holland are relatively TVR friendly in as much that they are longer than the car, so they shouldn't bump the exhaust too much. Its the the really short steep ones we have in this country that cause all the damage to my car, and I genuinely have to re-seal my manifold joints every 2 weeks if I want them to be hole free. I guess thats the only downside to lowered springs and 50 profile tyres.

Now, how many crates of Dutch beer can you fit in a Wedge, and thats not a prompt for lots of "one in the boot, one on the passenger seat and 10 in the glove box" jokes either!!!

Dan.