Nudger & The I O M

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!

 

Cable tie may be better

 

I don’t think that’s on the steam racket vessels.

 

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.

 

OOOh eer Im stirring it now.

 

Bless - it's probably sea sick....

 

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.

 

Dilli - get fabricating stabilizers

 

This could go on for 10 more pages yet mate.

 

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