Getting on&off ferries - Stena HSS in particular
Discussion
I'm off to the Netherlands next weekend (1st time with the Noble!) but was just wondering...
Considering I pretty often scrape speedbumps, has anyone had any experience getting the Noble on/off car ferries without destroying the splitter? Do I need to bring my own bits of wood, for example? Is it actually possible?
Thanks,
Hugo
Considering I pretty often scrape speedbumps, has anyone had any experience getting the Noble on/off car ferries without destroying the splitter? Do I need to bring my own bits of wood, for example? Is it actually possible?
Thanks,
Hugo
We had some "fun" getting a Noble onto the ferry from Swanse to Cork, but it went on OK. Just remember to take it slowly, and take ramps at a slight angle if possible. They should let you park on the lower-deck with the lorries, and they'll probably help all they can to make sure you don't scrape.
However, if you DO scrape it, don't expect any compensation! A TVR Cerbera with us pretty much knocked it's exhausts off (when, despite protest, they insisted that it go up the ramp to the upper deck) and the captain blamed the driver for taking such a low car on the boat...
Also, be careful where you park! Remember that they pack the cars in pretty tight, and it's not easy to get in or out when you only have the door open a few inches... try to position the door carefully, and don't forget to fold your mirrors in.
However, if you DO scrape it, don't expect any compensation! A TVR Cerbera with us pretty much knocked it's exhausts off (when, despite protest, they insisted that it go up the ramp to the upper deck) and the captain blamed the driver for taking such a low car on the boat...
Also, be careful where you park! Remember that they pack the cars in pretty tight, and it's not easy to get in or out when you only have the door open a few inches... try to position the door carefully, and don't forget to fold your mirrors in.
DanH said:
Check the tide tables
Defintily tide dependant.
Took the Griff to Le Mans and got on the ferry no problem.
Getting off it on the way home was something else though.
Grounded out on the bottom in the middle like a seesaw, the rear wheels just getting enough grip to push it through.
The exhaust is very scratched up now but surprisingly not dented.
I have seen them get planks out for a very low F40 before. Perahps they will for you.
There is no choice of where you park. With the roof on we wouldnt have been able to get out of the car!
Yep, coming back from lemans in the Elise, they picked my car out as a small car and jammed it into the smallest gap you've ever seen. Had to glare at the car parked next to us to stop them opening their doors into us and getting out the drivers side was an exercise in contortion. I think the people who went '1st class' (i.e. coffee & croisant for 30 quid) seemed to be loaded on first right at the front of the line with the most space around them.
On the way out we were last on the ferry (everyone else was loaded) and they just left us on the lower deck with tonnes of room. It was a much newer ferry than the one we came back on though and the staff were much nicer.
As to the ferry company that forced a guy to ruin his exhaust going up a ramp, they'd be hearing from my solicitor!
On the way out we were last on the ferry (everyone else was loaded) and they just left us on the lower deck with tonnes of room. It was a much newer ferry than the one we came back on though and the staff were much nicer.
As to the ferry company that forced a guy to ruin his exhaust going up a ramp, they'd be hearing from my solicitor!
Exhaust isnt that bad, scartch is only along the underside in the middle. If it comes out of the sevice with any other problems then they will be hearing from me.
The fortunate thing when travelling to LM is that you are normally crammed in with others who care about there cars. I had a 996 one side and an Alfa SZ the other.
The fortunate thing when travelling to LM is that you are normally crammed in with others who care about there cars. I had a 996 one side and an Alfa SZ the other.
In fairness to Eurostar, I found it twice as fast as the ferry (ie 30 mins vs 60-70). No trouble with ramps there. BUT. Its a big but. If you've just done 200-300 miles a coffee or cooked breakfast break is just what you need. On Eurostar they are still in the 80s when it comes to client service. Meanwhile the ferry companies have moved on.
Chris.
Chris.
Hugo,
The HSS should not pose any problems for the 3R. As with all ferries, just before the approach to the ramp, turn the wheel to full lock so that you're almost driving on to it sideways. The guys who oversee parking are used to seeing low cars and are very helpful about guiding you on.
I've been on most of the ferries out of the UK with a Noble (including the HSS to the Hook) and I've yet to encounter a problem.
Simon Hucknall
Press Officer
Noble Automotive Ltd.
The HSS should not pose any problems for the 3R. As with all ferries, just before the approach to the ramp, turn the wheel to full lock so that you're almost driving on to it sideways. The guys who oversee parking are used to seeing low cars and are very helpful about guiding you on.
I've been on most of the ferries out of the UK with a Noble (including the HSS to the Hook) and I've yet to encounter a problem.
Simon Hucknall
Press Officer
Noble Automotive Ltd.
Recent experience on Dover Calais going over to Le mans was no real problem. the only issue we had was queuing up for Breakfast..
I've yet to find a ramp I cannot conquer by the use of the technique outlined by Micknall. Let your leading wheel hit the obstacle first lifts you over the ramp, and then I try to hit the downward bit the same..
And mine is a daily driver in what seems like the speed bump capital of the world (ie Wandsworth, London)
Cheers
Mike
I've yet to find a ramp I cannot conquer by the use of the technique outlined by Micknall. Let your leading wheel hit the obstacle first lifts you over the ramp, and then I try to hit the downward bit the same..
And mine is a daily driver in what seems like the speed bump capital of the world (ie Wandsworth, London)
Cheers
Mike
An update - no problems at all with the HSS, there are no bumps to trouble the noble with at all on the way in or way out of the boat.
However, the concrete "bump up/bump down" speedbumps (no curve, just a fixed concrete angle) you get in residential areas of the Netherlands are a nightmare, and are often too big for even an angled approach to work. I had to do a good amount of illegal reversing at one point
The splitter's still on though - just keeping my fingers crossed about all those speed cameras!
Hugo
However, the concrete "bump up/bump down" speedbumps (no curve, just a fixed concrete angle) you get in residential areas of the Netherlands are a nightmare, and are often too big for even an angled approach to work. I had to do a good amount of illegal reversing at one point
The splitter's still on though - just keeping my fingers crossed about all those speed cameras!
Hugo
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