Quick intro. This is my 3rd vette, 86 - 99 and now the 2007, 3lt, z51, Man.Trans., Mont. Red. My question - Has anyone taken their vette on the LI Ferry (or any other ferry for that matter)? The nose of my vette scrapes coming in and out of my driveway and garage. The ferry people tell me they've seen vettes use the ferry often.

 

I've taken mine on the Port Jeff-Bridgeport ferry a few times with no problems....just go slow entering/exiting.....

 

Have taken mine on the St. John's River ferry here in Jacksonville a couple of times. I was more concerned with my car or a car beside/in front/behind me moving and scraping paint. No problems with either scenario thus far.

 

I have taken the ferry from Greenport NY to Groton CT many times. I have seen many vette's. I am sure you will rub the front a little, but I don't think its anything major. I have seen ferrari's, lambo's also, they were on there so I'm sure you won't have a problem

 

You wont have a problem, but a tip to the loading men will get you the best spot on the main deck with some extra breathing room.

 

You've got a set of stones!

They pack those cars in bumper to bumper...and I don't know where my bumper ends.

If I want to have a car available when I get to Port Jeff I take my DD. Usually, I just leave my DD in the Bridgeport lot and walk when we get there.

 

Many thanks to all. I'am gonna give it a shot.

 

you're right, that thing is packed solid but every time I take it I make sure to have a reservation and get there in plenty of time....10 bucks to the loading guy gets me a spot in front or in back.....

 

I've taken the Port Jeff / Bridgeport ferry many times.

More recently they have altered the loading ramp at the Port Jeff side... I have not been over it with the C6 yet, but at extreme high tides, it looks like it'll be a close call for any C6. Make SURE to run the ramp on a diagonal and go SLOW.

One time with the old loading ramp, I had the misfortune of having to leave the boat at extreme low tide. This created a deep "dip" in the ramp... I was in horror as I watched SUVs nearly scraping their rear bumpers on the ramp etc. One truck DID smack his rear on the ramp.

When it was my turn, everybody was watching with morbid excitement... they knew it was going to be a problem. But as it turned out, I did a super slow diagonal cross, one of the loading guys was spotting me, bending down and watching the underside... I must have cleared everything by a whisker... no contact... got a big round of applause. I'm sure my slightly raised ride height helped a bit here.

The trick is to run the ferry as early in the morning as you can. I always take the FIRST boat out of Port Jeff. At that time, the boat is often less than half full, more breathing room.

Another trick... even if you cannot hit the boat super early in the morning, at least try to be one of the first few cars on line when boarding the ferry. This will mean getting to the ramp at least an hour before departure. THe loading guys have told me many times that if I am near the front of the line, they have more leeway in terms of finding me a "good" spot. Otherwise, once the boat starts to fill up, you must take whatever spot is available or wait for the next boat.

I make sure to NOT have to take the C6 up the side ramps to the second level on the boat. Those ramps are super steep. Not sure if a C6 could get up those ramps without scraping the nose or high-siding at the top... probably would be ok but it would be close. But I sure as heck would not want to park on the incline of that steep ramp with my manual tranny. Wonder if the parking brake would even hold there... the weight of the car would probably be resting on the tranny. I always tell them when I arrive that I do NOT want to take the car on the second level under any circumstances... and because I always get there early, it's never a problem.

The worst part of the ferry, as others have pointed out, is the fact that they cram all the cars in so tightly. Last time I was on the ferry with my SUV, the car behind me gave me a pretty decent tap on the rear. Fortunately it was his license plate and soft front bumper against my tow hitch, so... needless to say, the only damage was to his license plate and bumper.

But, I'm even more concerned about people walking past the cars... often people are forced to walk right up against the cars, barely squeezing through, dragging luggage or whatever. I've also seen little kids hop out of SUVs, smacking doors against other cars, stuff like that. So, if you REALLY want to ensure that nothing happens to the car, you're best bet is to stay in the car the whole ride (which you are fortunately allowed to do). I usually stay in the car for the first 15 minutes (until almost all activity in the parking area has stopped), and then I get back to the car a good 15 minutes before departure (before the activity kicks up again). This seems to work out ok... I've never had a car scratched or damaged on the ferry.

If you have any type of motion alarm on the car, or an alarm that is triggered by sound, be sure to turn it OFF while on the ferry... the noise and motion of the boat can (and often does) trigger them.

Nothing special, but here's a few pics I had laying around from a past ferry ride... for those who have yet to experience.

First pic is of one of the Port Jeff / Bridgeport ferry boats.

Second pic is of my silver C6 in the parking area of the ferry boat. Had lots of room around me that morning... one of the advantages of taking a super early boat.

Third pic shows an extra reward you may get for waking up so darned early.

 

Wow! That last pic is AWESOME.

I went to college in CT and spent many a summer out in the Hamptons/Montauk and I've always wanted to take the ferry across the sound but the timing just never lined up...someday.

 

I have a 2007 Convertible that I just took to Newport and back from LI. We used the ferry between Orient Point and New London both ways. I was very concerned about the ramps also but can report that the ramps were not a problem – a slight scrap on the front air dam that scrapes on every little bump anyway. The ferry crew gave me somewhat preferential treatment by boarding me in the center section of the boat so I did not have to deal with side by side doors. The only issue was people passing by carrying their bags - but you can only worry so much if you are going to enjoy the car. It was a much more enjoyable ride than going around through the city.

 

My car scrapes when I back out of my driveway if I pull it in. If I change my direction and back in and then pull out, it doesn't happen. Your driveway may be just too steep.

 

Iv been on that port jeff bridgeport ferry over 100 times

never with the vette though.

took my camaro on it lost back in the day

 

Ditto. Doesn't even scrape the plastic air dam, which I usually nail in everyday driving.