Experience of IOW ferry for a day ride?

Biscuit · Post by **Biscuit** » 10 Apr 2008, 5:29pm

Off on the 18th of April. Thought about a trip to the IOW. Plan to leave car at Portsmouth (somewhere) then use trike to ferry.

I plan to take car to IOW in May and have never been to IOW before so I am unsure as to how to approach ferry terminal - any hazards to be aware of..........

so,
Plan a) book online and just follow my nose.
Plan b) dont book online and follow my nose
Plan c) book online and 'phone IOW ferries to clarify route and 'admin' for cycle/trike as technically a foot passenger with cycle/trike.

Plan a and b I can do but prefer to 'guarantee' passage over and back. So, went with plan c. Spoke with person on 'phone who first had to ask colleagues what a recumbent trike was :shock:

and then they told me even if I book online I am not 'guaranteed' a place as they dont hold bookings for specific tickets

What happened to the concept of contracts?In the unlikely event of a rush on spaces (I know unlikely but things like that can ruin your day and time of crossing is essential for me to do what I want to do on that day).

Advice was just go to ferry terminal and follow everyone else (paraphrased). As I've not been to the Portsmouth terminal before is this correct - just join the line of cars, vans, caravans and so on?

Any help/info'/comments appreciated from previous trike users (foot passengers I suppose) on IOW ferries or even from some of you 'upwrongs'

yoyo · Post by **yoyo** » 10 Apr 2008, 6:09pm

We always book online, but we always go by car. After that it is just like turning up for a cross channel/ Irish Sea ferry. Perhaps you have been given this info because you are a foot passenger. I'd check their website.

yakdiver · Post by **yakdiver** » 10 Apr 2008, 6:24pm

if your just going with your bike you don't have to book

Cunobelin · Post by **Cunobelin** » 10 Apr 2008, 7:15pm

Never had a problem with the Trike on the ferry. I would reccomend that you do the Portsmouth-Fishbourne rather than the Portsmouth Ryde though.

This brings you out at a point where you can follow the round the Island either way or down to Newport.

None of the ferry routes has any real hazards. I am afraid I don' knw about parking, but there is quite a lot around this part of the City.

Trikes are normally first on, first off!

Biscuit · Post by **Biscuit** » 10 Apr 2008, 8:41pm

Ta for that, all.

stoobs · Post by **stoobs** » 10 Apr 2008, 8:55pm

From the thread title, I have to say that the IOW ferry for a day ride sounds a bit limited to me. I mean, it's not a huge boat. How many times did you want to go round it? :shock:

The deck could be quite slippery if it rains, and you might annoy other passengers, if not the captain. It dosen't take all day to get to the IOW anyway. I should get off once you reach the IOW, as it's quite a nice place to ride.

Enjoy! :wink:

hamster · Post by **hamster** » 10 Apr 2008, 11:47pm

Why not consider Southampton? Large car parks are located next to the Red Funnel and Red Jet terminals. Red Jet is the fast catamaran service and takes about 20 mins.

eileithyia · Post by **eileithyia** » 11 Apr 2008, 7:54am

When on the New Forest week, we use Lymington, no problems you just turn up as a foot passenger and off you go. Admittedly due to the potentially large numbers who may use the ferry on this occasion we do warn them we are coming and take over several car spaces with tandems, family fittings, trikes, as well the occasional solo.
Have fun it is a wonderful island.

Biscuit · Post by **Biscuit** » 11 Apr 2008, 5:17pm

stoobs wrote:From the thread title, I have to say that the IOW ferry for a day ride sounds a bit limited to me. I mean, it's not a huge boat. How many times did you want to go round it?

You're not taking my query seriously are you!

You say "I mean, it's not a huge boat. " Exactly!!!! All the more reason to need to book. Especially if Eileithyia and her lot turn up :shock:

Ooooops maybe I'm taking it too seriously......

My query centrered more around my negative experiences of using ferries when I'm in a car, on motorcycles and as a general traveller. Only once ever been a foot passenger, long time ago and never taken a trike/bike on. Usually push bikes and other 'weird stuff' is out of sight and mind.

Ferry experience in car; being expected to race with other traffic towards a hole in the boat and me wondering what happens to the bikes especially when the boat is shifting from heavy sea intruding into harbour causing the boat/ship thing to move to and fro and up and down. This causes the loading ramp to shift in several directions cant imagine thats too much fun. (sometimes angle of attack on some ferries of ramp is uncomfortable in a car - whats it like on trike). Suppose I can always 'walk it' Although, I'm willing to tackle it on the trike........ As a motorcyclist similar experience; worst one going to Isle of Man -loading ramp absolutely H & S nightmare even in a calm mooring, then watching my pride and joy 'tied' to a ropey bit of the ferry.

T'other point is as a general traveller - I've always found the 'oh its all right just turn up on the day its ok there's always space' a little inconvenient when you turn up and the 'jobsworth' say "have you booked mate - nah sorry only bookings see, its school half term week see, blah blah blah" and then you ask yourself why they put tickets online? I do like a bit of paper to wave

I like to organise the things I can then deal with the chaos and the unpredictable as needed.

Ta for all the advice and info', particularly Stoobs' - you have made me reconsider my destination

Cunobelin · Post by **Cunobelin** » 11 Apr 2008, 6:50pm

hamster wrote:Why not consider Southampton? Large car parks are located next to the Red Funnel and Red Jet terminals. Red Jet is the fast catamaran service and takes about 20 mins.

SCUMMER!

eileithyia · Post by **eileithyia** » 12 Apr 2008, 8:37am

Well have never had a problem turning up as a passenger with a bike/tandem, these sort of ferries carry foot and cycle passengers all the time and will find a corner for you at the side of the ferry.

Something worth considering if you are a Tesco customer, you can get discount ferry tickets via their loyalty points scheme.

And don't worry new forest is not until July so we won't be competing for space.

Cunobelin · Post by **Cunobelin** » 12 Apr 2008, 8:47am

Bikes and trikes on the Portsmouth / Fishbourne route...

Biscuit · Post by **Biscuit** » 12 Apr 2008, 10:01am

Cunobelin wrote:
hamster wrote:Why not consider Southampton? Large car parks are located next to the Red Funnel and Red Jet terminals. Red Jet is the fast catamaran service and takes about 20 mins.

SCUMMER!

Please elaborate

and Cunobelin said.....

Bikes and trikes on the Portsmouth / Fishbourne route...

Yes and ...............

I thought it was only when you are married that you have to second guess what people mean based on single words and what at first look appear to be unconnected statements

I am now undecided where to go as need to be in Farnborough for 15.00 on Sun'. So will umm and ahh as I head South towards; Lymington (less likely) Southampton (more likely), Portsmouth (probable). Isnt life wonderful, full of a variety and choice

Over the year coming I will sample them all and will treat you all to an essay on South coast ferries.

Cunobelin · Post by **Cunobelin** » 12 Apr 2008, 10:44am

Someone mentioned "South*mpt*n" so I thought a tongue in cheek response was appropriate to a suggestion of defecting to a ferry here!

Explanation...

There is a little local rivalry between the two cities.... and Scummer is a term of endearment used by Portsmouthians.

Various versions exist, but basically two ports being forced to undetake changes to practice that were detrimental to the men.

South*mpt*n" workers ("South Coast Union of Mariners" / South Coast Union Members" depending on version) failed to persevere with the strike, and secretly came to a contract which also took the trade from Portsmouth. This not only weakened the Portsmouth Mariners position and eventually breaking the strike, but also meant layoffs as the trade had moved to South*mpt*n". All in all considered to be an underhand, devious and not really cricket.

Hence South*mpt*n" residents are know pejoratively as "Scummers".

There is no link between the two posts!

Biscuit · Post by **Biscuit** » 12 Apr 2008, 1:03pm

Ta for that.