Baggy Wrinkle
Member
Wow, this topic sure has legs! So, here's something to ponder: On a double-ended car ferry where is the bow? The stern? Port or starboard sides? Inquiring minds want to know.
Have you ever ridden a ferry boat?
- Thread starter meaneyedcatz
- Start date
It all depends on which way it is going...
FlyTyinFool
Member
I love the memories this thread inspires!
I grew up in Northwest WA.
Frequent ferry trips to the (many) San Juan islands.
A lot of trips on the Whatcom Chief too, a 20(?) car ferry that runs from Gooseberry Point to Lummi island.
I grew up on the Pacific Ocean.
Our family spent summers cruising the San Juan Islands on a 24', and later a 28', Chris Craft
I live in Montana now, and love it.
The only thing I miss is salt water, and boat/ferry trips.
Pardon me while I wander away in wistful thought...
I grew up in Northwest WA.
Frequent ferry trips to the (many) San Juan islands.
A lot of trips on the Whatcom Chief too, a 20(?) car ferry that runs from Gooseberry Point to Lummi island.
I grew up on the Pacific Ocean.
Our family spent summers cruising the San Juan Islands on a 24', and later a 28', Chris Craft
I live in Montana now, and love it.
The only thing I miss is salt water, and boat/ferry trips.
Pardon me while I wander away in wistful thought...
riverrat38
US Veteran
I am not much interested in travel, but I would like to ride the Hurtigruten ferry up the coast of Norway. It's like a 10 day trip if you take it all the way to the end, near Russia.
I also read about this ferry in a Matt Helm book. He had to jump off the ferry to rescue a damsel in distress. I get cold just thinking about it.
I live in Puget Sound country, and ferries are a way of life in these parts. I remember when I was a teen and my brother and I got on the ferry to Whidbey Island and rode it as foot passengers for several crossings. We just paid once, about 35 cents each, in 1958. After the 9-11 terrorism, they kick everyone off the Ferries after one crossing. They are watchful for people leaving luggage bags unattended. The Washington State Patrol does security, with dogs.
I liked the old ferries, they were fitted out in varnished wood like real boats. Now, they are like busses inside. Nice, but not very nautical.
Best,
Rick
Last edited:
Here is a picture of the Ferry at Mukiteo Wa. ...........
from the Restaurant, that is next door to it, from our last trip up there.
Lots to do and a fun place to put on your bucket list.
One of my co-workers was up here from our Florida site. We were having dinner at Ivar's, the restaurant by the ferry dock at Mukilteo. He was fascinated by the ferries going to and from Whidbey Island. What? no boats in Florida? I told him the boats were headed for an island. A big one. Big enough to have a Naval Air Station; NAS Whidbey. Home of the Prowlers and now the Growlers. He wouldn't believe me. An island big enough for a Naval Air Station, he said? Betcha! After dinner, he insisted that I prove my "tall tale" to him. So onto the boat we drove. Whidbey's a big island all right. There's a Naval Air Station over there. Toldja so! He lost the bet. A sucker bet if there ever was one! Never, never bet with a local!
bigwheelzip
Absent Comrade
Riding a Goldwing along the shore of lake Thun Switzerland, we happened upon a Swiss lake boat, transformed to accommodate the theme of a regional dragon celebration.
We didn't voyage on this mythical beast, but had to stop and admire it.
We didn't voyage on this mythical beast, but had to stop and admire it.
OP
meaneyedcatz
Member
The ones on the Mississippi and Illinois rivers hinge or pivot in the middle. Push it onto the landing and off load. When the oncoming cars have loaded the tow backs out and pivots. Then it pushes the barge. The barge itself never changes, just back and forth. It's the tug that changes direction.
The REALLY cool one is the San Juan's route leaving Anacortes and it does a big loop. You can ride for the day as a walk-on and it's pretty cheap. Bring a picnic lunch in a bag and just enjoy the scenery. A friend was one of the engineers on the Kaleetan, on that route. 7 days on, 7 days off, and a month of vacation. Imagine, taking a week of vacation, and having 3 weeks of in a row. Anacortes–San Juan Islands ferry - Wikipedia
Growing up in Seattle, I've lost count of ferry rides.
Last edited:
The bow alternates according the direction of travel. So do Port and Starboard. The marker green and red lights get switched accordingly.
twodog max
Member
Absolutely many times. The St. Charles ferry on the Lower White River many times. Toad Suck ferry on the Arkansas River and the Norfork Lake Ferry which was sort of exciting because of the heavy truck I was driving. Might have been others it seems but those stand out. All of these were in Arkansas. They no longer exist. History fading away.
OP
meaneyedcatz
Member
Skip to about the 2:30 mark to see it change.
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHqzRqiactI&feature=share[/ame]
Hair Trigger
US Veteran
I've ridden one of the Hudson River ferries from the battery out to the Statue of Liberty and back, and I've ridden the Ocracoke to Hattaras Island ferry to the Outer Banks of NC.
In a previous life, I operated a ferry:
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBHdbexrK1Q[/ame]
In a previous life, I operated a ferry:
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBHdbexrK1Q[/ame]
carpriver
US Veteran
I rode the ferry from Harsen's Island, Mi to the mainland everyday from 1963 to 1966. I lived on the island during that time. $1.00 round trip. The ferry crossed the St. Clair River. About a 1/2 mile ride.
hemiram
Member
I was about 3 and we went on a ferry someplace near Chicago, but it was about an hour out if I remember right. The big highlight of that trip was it was windy and my sister got sick and my mother was very angry, as it seemed like she got carsick or seasick randomly and always at the worst time. She had to take my sister's clothes into some crew area and wash them, with my sister in the restroom, upset she couldn't see anything. Other than some trauma I went through, it's one of the first things I remember.
Do they change the propellers also or are they on both ends of the boat/ship?
The two that serve Drummond Island Michigan turn around after leaving the Island and again when they get to the mainland, both have ice breaker hulls and run 365 days a year.
The boats on Puget Sound are double-enders. Props and pilot houses on both ends. Not only do the lights swap sides, but the captain et. al. walk to the other end before each crossing.
An exception is MV Coho that runs between Port Angeles and Victoria. Technically, that's not Puget Sound but the Straight of Juan de Fuca. It can get a little bumpy out there!
Black Ball Ferry Line |
Daily Departures to Victoria and Port Angeles
Last edited:
Thanks for that Krogen. When I posted I didn't remember the
restaurant. But now, thanks to your post, I do. I had either
breakfast or lunch there. Can't remember which.
