Bikes and ferries

[DP1]

Just a quick question. If you go abroad with bike on the ferry do they strap it down or is it free to slide about? Are they treated differently on ships and the Speedferries Sea Cat?

Thanks.

[rsv gone!]

They always used to ratchet the bikes down. It used to make it a good idea to put your gloves under the strap, to protect the seat.

Last year, on two ferries run by two different companies, we were left to tie our own bikes down. Probably some duck out of liability.

[randlemarcus]

No experience of the seacat, but its a mixed bag when it comes to fixing.

Some ferries have shiny bike racks, with proper tracks and ratchet-strap mount points, and secure little channels to sit the bike in. They're great.

Sea France on the way back from Le Mans last year threw a couple of bits of rope around the frame and lashed it to the railings

[Chilli]

In my experience they have specific bike anchors and use straps which go accross your seat. These have big pads and are generally ok. They let you do it yourself if you're worried.

[black-k1]

I've used P&O many times (Dover/Calais) and they always use a ratchet strap over the seat. I will be using Norfolk Line for the first time this spring. Does anyone know how Norfolk Line tie the bikes down?

[Rubin215]

Been from Newcastle to Ijmuiden with DFDS several times.
They give you a big box of one inch ratchet straps and let you get on with it, but there are loads of anchor points on the deck anyway.

Best technique I've discovered is on the side stand;
first strap pulling the bike backwards to the left so it's being pulled harder on to the stand,
second strap pulling forwards and left,
one final one somewhere on the right side at a right angle to the bike.
I've seen some guys put a zip tie on the front brake lever to hold it on,, but I'm happy just to leave it in gear.

Once went to Arran with Caledonian MacBrayne and one of the deck hands lobbed a big lorry style strap over the bike, scratching the tank in the process.
Eventually gave up trying to get any compensation as they just ignored every letter and phone call. Bastids...

[Fats25]

randlemarcus said:

No experience of the seacat, but its a mixed bag when it comes to fixing.

I have been on seacat with bike and they ratchet it down. Very well as well, over the seat and the wheels and front if I remember correctly.

[big geoff]

i have used norfolk line they used a pad and a ratchet strap i also use a cable tye to hold the front brake on to stop movement

[black-k1]

big geoff said:

i have used norfolk line they used a pad and a ratchet strap i also use a cable tye to hold the front brake on to stop movement

That's great - thanks for the feedback.

[Hooli]

Rubin215 said:

Once went to Arran with Caledonian MacBrayne and one of the deck hands lobbed a big lorry style strap over the bike, scratching the tank in the process.
Eventually gave up trying to get any compensation as they just ignored every letter and phone call. Bastids...

i went to skye with them & the bloke was surprisingly careful about the paint etc, guess it depends on the crew like everything.

[DP1]

Thanks everyone - loads of useful stuff.

[Hooli]

just to add, found a pic bike strapped down in scotland last year

just a strap over the seat but it was a damn calm day