So I'm considering taking the Steamship Authority's Nantucket Ferry to visit some friends out on Nantucket in a couple weeks but before I do, I was wondering if anyone has any experience taking a motorcycle out there. And does anyone have any experience with ferry's in general? Do they tie down your bike or just let it stand on its own?
Cambelloni, Jul 9 2007, 12:21 PMSo I'm considering taking the Steamship Authority's Nantucket Ferry to visit some friends out on Nantucket in a couple weeks but before I do, I was wondering if anyone has any experience taking a motorcycle out there. And does anyone have any experience with ferry's in general? Do they tie down your bike or just let it stand on its own?
The side stand is all I needed to cross the Lake of the Ozarks, the boat doesnt go fast enough or take off with a whole lot of force to knock your bike over. You can use the center stand if you want but I found it fine, they transport bikes all the time.
I can't speak to the Nantucket Ferry, but living here in Michigan I've crossed Lake Michigan to Wisconsin several times on ferrys. From Ludington, MI, there's the SS Badger that I took 4 years ago, but I don't remember if they had their own tie downs or not...I rode my Harley and brought my own ratcheting tie downs. The Lake Express from Muskegon, MI, to Milwaukee provides their own ratcheting tie downs. The crews just guide you onto the vessel...they don't tie down your bike, but if there are lots of bikes I've found most fellow bikers are willing to help each other out. Also, depending on the vessel, there's a check-in time 30-60 minutes in advance of departure, so you'll need to find out what that is. So even if you have reservations they may not board you if you arrive at the last minute.
On short hauls like crossing the nearby St. Clair River into Canada they just told me to put my kickstand down, put it in gear and stay with the bike, since it's only a 10-15 minute crossing.
Cambelloni, Jul 9 2007, 02:21 PMSo I'm considering taking the Steamship Authority's Nantucket Ferry to visit some friends out on Nantucket in a couple weeks but before I do, I was wondering if anyone has any experience taking a motorcycle out there. And does anyone have any experience with ferry's in general? Do they tie down your bike or just let it stand on its own?
we took a ferry across the shushwap lakes last summer at nelson, bc. no problems at all. there were about 30 bikes out of about 70 vehicles. a little bit of shake and sway on the ferry, but not enough to knock your bike over. even the docking procedures didn't produce enough bumps to move the bikes.
put the sidestand down, leave it in gear and enjoy the ride!
One thing I have found helpful also is to take one of the hard rubber wheel chocks that are often lying around and jam it under the right side center of the bike opposite the side stand. Leave the bike in gear with the handlebars hard left. Some ferries I have taken, The Cat ferry for instance from Bar Harbor to Yarmouth NS, have tie down points and tie downs supplied but don't expect the crew to do any tying. If you don't see any tie down points or don't have any rope, ask the crew members and they are usually more than happy to help you out.
Cambelloni, Jul 9 2007, 02:21 PMSo I'm considering taking the Steamship Authority's Nantucket Ferry to visit some friends out on Nantucket in a couple weeks but before I do, I was wondering if anyone has any experience taking a motorcycle out there. And does anyone have any experience with ferry's in general? Do they tie down your bike or just let it stand on its own?
It really depends on how long/rough the ferry ride might be. I've taken a short 30 min ferry ride across Lake Champlain from NY to VT. In that case it was a smooth ride, you get to stay with your bike, and no tie downs were needed
I've also taken long ferry rides between Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, and also the CAT from Nova Scotia to Maine. In both these situations it was a potentially rough ride where you can't stay with the bike, and you have to tie it down. Both of these ferries had their own tie downs, but if I remember correctly they didn't have enough for everyone. I had my own ratchting tie down straps with me, and also a Canyon Dancer, which is widely available and invaluble for tying down the VFR (see linky: http://www.canyondancer.com/ ).
The crew on the ferries will not secure the bike for you, it's up to the rider. But as others have mentioned, the crew and other riders are pretty helpful.
Besides parking the bike in gear on the sidestand, on one of the ferries they also suggested using a velcro strap to engage the front brake. Might be overkill, but I guess it also takes some strain off the transmission if the bike rocks back & forth.
I took my '96 out to Block Island on the ferry last summer. There was no tying down of the bike and I was a little concerned, since this was the ocean and all. I parked against a port side bulkhead and put it on the centerstand. Sitting on the bike I held on to the rail with my left arm.
There was no cause for concern. We took some mild rolls, but the bike never once wobbled. Eventually I felt secure enough to step off and walk around. No worries.
About fifteen years ago I took my CB750F out to Block Island. Road onto the boat with some wings and harleys. They all walked away for the trip. I stayed next to my bike. Mine would have gone over had I not been standing there. If the others had seen what theirs were doing, they would have jumped. I would say stay next to your bike. Not a lot of roads out there but a cool place to scoot around( both islands). Have fun. Post up some pics.
Stay with the bike!!!! The ride to/from ACK can be a bit bumpy from time to time. It's the ocean, not a large lake, and the swell in the North East is kinda hit or miss, may be rough, may not be. For a little more $$ you may consider the fast ferry...drops the commute from 2.5 hours down to 1. I used to go over to ACK all the time, but never brought a vehicle with me. I'd stay with the bike if I brought it.
Oh...and once you're ON the island: 1) watch out for the sand....it's all over most of the roads, 2) careful downtown, it's all cobblestone, the slightest amount of water on them, and they're slick as hell, and 3) DON'T SPEED...much. :-)
So I just got back and I figured I'd share my ferry experience. First off the ocean was flat calm both heading out and in (seas maybe 1-3 with a very slight ground swell) and it was hot/humid as hell so I decided to chance it and leave the bike alone. I made sure that when we were heading into/out of the harbor to be with the bike because the ship did a hell of a lot of vibrating when he turned on the bow thrusters. I don't think there was enough shaking to tip the bike, but I wanted to be careful. When they put bikes on the ferry, they are really an afterthought, I didn't even see any place to tie the bike down so I guess in high seas, you would just need to stay with the bike and hold it steady. Also, where they parked the bikes both ways was next to 3 50 gallon oil drums... that obviously had either leaked or when they were moved, spilled over, the deck was slick as ice and it greased up my tires nicely. The ferry was boring other than that, I couldn't drink cuz I had the bike and I was by myself (friends already on island) so bring a couple issues of Cycle World.
Riding around ACK was interesting, the roads are narrow and there are a lot of SUVs, bicycles, and sand, which was to be expected. Exploring the island was definitely cool to do on a motorcycle though, I would definitely do it again.
Oh yeah, and as for cost, $75 each way for me and the bike, not too bad IMO.
I would post pics if I had been smart enough to bring a camera.
Overall, a great trip though.
End of thread · 12 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 12 Feb 2008
