IoW ferry - any ideas on how to get a cheap ticket?

Tim M · 11 April 2009, 19:53

I've got to go over to the Island to bring a boat back on a trailer. Did this a few weeks ago and got it for it for about £65 return but that was late at night, from Southampton to Cowes. This time I've got to do it during the day (on the 20th) and I've got to come back from Bembridge to Portsmouth. Just got some quotes on the White link website and it came in at £170 return!! (£50 for the car on the way out, £120 on the way back with trailer). I know its expensive but that is just insane.

Anyone got any tips on the best price/time etc?

JABS · 11 April 2009, 20:08

We go over regularly and have always found Red Funnel much cheaper than other crossings. It might be a longer drive but worth it..

Go on the web site and you can play with departure times and balance cost against inconvenience.

Usually early morning and late evening is much cheaper. Particularly a late Sunday night return.

Tim M · 11 April 2009, 20:19

Red Funnel is cheaper, but I've got to go Bembridge-Portsmouth

SDGANDER · 12 April 2009, 10:09

I used to travel over a lot when I lived in Sussex and even with the extra time and mileage to Southampton it was still cheaper to travel with Red Funnel...

Also after an incident with Wight Link when they accused my company of credit card fraud instead of admitting their staff error I would rather swim across than give them another penny of my money.

SDG

slimtim · 12 April 2009, 10:54

There is no ferry that runs from Bembridge but I assume you know that? Nearest is Wightlink at Fishbourne but East Cowes red funnel is not that much further.

Wightlink are crap, there is no doubt about it, I think Red funnel will probably be your better bet but its never going to be cheap with a trailer. If you are flexible with date and times then you can obviously get it cheaper. Friday, sat and sun are expensive as are commuting times on week days. Its sometimes worth noting you can often get a day return car ticket cheaper than a single.

Hightower · 12 April 2009, 11:17

It would be cheaper to strap the trailer to the bottom of the boat you'd like to bring back with you and tow it across the Solent with another boat. Then with a trailer service the next day would be good to go!

Any one else transported a trailer in this manner?

Nos4r2 · 12 April 2009, 12:55

Would it be cheaper to pre-book a car+trailer both ways then turn up without the trailer on the outbound journey?

Tim M · 12 April 2009, 16:09

Hightower, yes, malthouse posted something about this a few months ago.

The boat and trailer are in Bembridge. I did consider bringing them back my self - the boat is easy, the trailer is the tricky bit! I'm keen to take the Portsmouth ferry option as I don't know what the condition of the bearings on the trailer are like - that route is much less risky given I've only got to go 5 minutes when I get off the ferry at the other end. However, the price is just ridiculous. I've got it down to about £70 with Red Funnel if I go late in the evening, so I think I'll do that. Will have to pop over to Bembridge in the RIB before hand to sort the bearings though. Oh well, I knew this wasn't going to be a cheap operation!

Brian · 14 April 2009, 20:33

£170 !! Luxury!!
I asked about a Range Rover going from Douglas, IOM to Heysham (about 65miles) and returning (same day) towing an 8.75m Scorpion on a trailer.
Try £1400 !!

Poly · 14 April 2009, 20:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim M

Hightower, yes, malthouse posted something about this a few months ago.

The boat and trailer are in Bembridge. I did consider bringing them back my self - the boat is easy, the trailer is the tricky bit! I'm keen to take the Portsmouth ferry option as I don't know what the condition of the bearings on the trailer are like - that route is much less risky given I've only got to go 5 minutes when I get off the ferry at the other end. However, the price is just ridiculous. I've got it down to about £70 with Red Funnel if I go late in the evening, so I think I'll do that. Will have to pop over to Bembridge in the RIB before hand to sort the bearings though. Oh well, I knew this wasn't going to be a cheap operation!

did you not do this with a rigiflex once? or was it some other nutter on here!
is this one too big for the same treatment?

Tim M · 15 April 2009, 08:23

No I was that nutter! That was only a small trailer - not sure the Rigiflex would be too happy with a 9m trailer on top of it! I was pondering on the idea of borrowing a pontoon from somewhere but got stuck actually finding one!

PeterM · 15 April 2009, 12:30

Any chance of finding an empty flat bed on the island thats coming back & stick the whole lot on that - bung the dirver a few quid & hey presto - you get a cheap delivery - driver makes a few quid & the flatbed would otherwise have come back empty anyway ?

Even if its just the trailer on the flat bed & you drive the boat back ?