Navigating ferry ramps with an Elise?

[glasgowwestie]

I'm heading over to see my folks this weekend in the Isle of Man and my dad just mentioned the ramps on the ferry being a bit fierce at extreme tides - anyone had any experience of navigating ferry ramps in their Elise (S2)? I recall someone suggesting a perpendicular approach avoids grounding?

Paul

[Eric K]

I remember Iain (Skyenet) having his on the IoM and don't recall any difficulties.

IIRC, we took the hydrofoil (?) from Liverpool on the way out and then returned on the conventional ferry to Heysham.

This was donkey's years ago mind you.

Cheers,

Eric

[The Hoff]

Travelled on a Calmac ferry to Arran over new year in the elise with 2 up and fully loaded with bootbag and all you have to do is take it very slowly with a diagonal approach to the edge of the ramp and you shouldn't have any problems.

[duggiesmith]

Been to the Western Isles a few times complete with passenger and luggage (well as much luggage as an elise can hold).
No major issues. Only once caught the front number plate, but the guys directing us were quick enough to get a couple of planks of wood to lessen the angle (as seen in the episode of Top Gear bringing the Zonda out the car park in Paris).

[Mr Momo]

Went on the Glenelg-Kylerhea without major issues

[bertieduff]

They all vary, but never found any that can't be negotiated with care and the odd plank which most operators keep handy. Most of the deck crew will happily guide you if you gesticulate wildly enough.

To be sure, try to plan your journey to avoid low tides if possible, especially with spring tides (twice a month, round about the full moon and new moon times, as these are the lowest tides).

Good idea to not be at the front of the queue if it looks dubious: it's a more stressful maneuver when you have dozens of irate motorists at your back

[douglasgdmw]

If you are going with the Steam packet they are usually good, used them a number of times going across to the TT, although on bike rather tan with the car.

George

[glasgowwestie]

Thanks all. Tickets there and back long since booked so I'll check the tides. But hopefully ok.
Paul

[Fluoxetine]

Took my old S2 over to the IOM from Heysham back in 2003 - Absolutely no issues getting on or off the ferry.

Have fun!

[whaleys]

I went over to IOM with Steam Packet in May last year and was around the 3rd car on the ferry and held up the queue for 10 mins . My S2 has been lowered a fair bit and I just couldn't get up the last ramp onto the ferry. The guys were really great and persevered with me but even after they got all their rope ramps out I still couldn't get on. In the end I did a 3 point turn on the ferry ramp and managed to reverse on.

Either way you'll manage to get on, even if like me you need to reverse on and they are more than happy to accommodate whatever needs to be done.

Graeme

[Skyenet]

I remember Iain (Skyenet) having his on the IoM and don't recall any difficulties.

IIRC, we took the hydrofoil (?) from Liverpool on the way out and then returned on the conventional ferry to Heysham.

Yes we took the same route and no problems. Well not on the ferries but did catch the front number plate coming out a a filling station on the island We met Richard Gilmour there in his S2 that he had travelled from Switzerland in and I am sure he didn't have any problems either on any of the ferries.
,


Was a great trip with the highlight being able to drive the mountain road on the Sunday when they closed it for the Subaru club.



Enjoy your trip

[Eric K]

I think the question has been answered adequately so have no qualms about straying off topic ...

In the picture above of the queue for the hydrofoil or ferry, I wonder why the flags are at half mast.

Also, in the second picture, I think the Impreza being passed is one of the infamous "Isle of Man Three" (the local constabulary took some interest in our group ).

Cheers,

Eric

[Skyenet]

In the picture above of the queue for the hydrofoil or ferry, I wonder why the flags are at half mast.

I am certain it was because it was one year on from 9/11 There were widespread remembrance services around the World.

Also, in the second picture, I think the Impreza being passed is one of the infamous "Isle of Man Three" (the local constabulary took some interest in our group ).

I am pretty sure there were two different red Imprezas at the IOM Birthday Bash. They all look the same to me but I reckon the wheels were quite different. The Police did indeed take and interest in some of our group as we lined up for the Mountain Pass run.







However I am sure the drivers concerned were apprehended before they got the chance to partake of the run. Again I am sure that somebody told me afterwards that the Red Imprezaa I caught up with (I think we were sent off at 1 minute intervals to avoid catching up with each other ) and passed belonged to a Police officer from the North of England.

Skye did try to impersonate an IOM police officer in an attempt to free the "Isle of Man Three" but her disguise wasn't quite good enough to fool the local constabulary