Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms Ferry and ground clearance

Soon to be taking a 1997 Morgan Plus 4 on ferry from Portsmouth to St Malo.

Does the low ground clearance cause any issues re: ramps getting on and off the boat or am I worrying unnecessarily?

Thanks

It is not really a problem but we always tell them that we think it may be a problem. In order to avoid possible issues the people in charge of loading then put us on the same deck as the heavy vehicles. The end result is that you tend to be amongst the first off at St Malo.

My best, most caring experience has been on Irish crossings with Stena.
However, Britanny not so good. Despite telling them all along the way about ground clearance, half the time, the penny doesn’t seem to drop!
Peter is right in that you need to go on the level with the lorries, but much depends on how many lorries they have and whether loaders can be arsed to fit you in. My experience is that I get the best service by approaching one of the loaders whilst queuing well before loading starts. It’s the transition from ramp to level that causes the issue, so if you have to do it, approach at an angle. I have seen a MGB lose its exhaust on one occasion.
You may be better off with a 90s Morgan than with a noughties, for ground clearance anyway.

Often the ferry companies offer a priority boarding system (usually at a cost) which often place you on the main deck at the front of the queue for offloading that may reduce the use of higher decks and lessen the frequency of ground clearance issues on board. It's worth checking with your ferry operator.

We did that route recently & also to Cherbourg. When you check in tell them you have low ground clearance & they will put you on the lowest deck.
As said approach any bumpy bits at an angle.

As mentioned above, when you check in be sure to mention what you are driving and how it's quite low and you fear of not being able to make it up the normal ramps. The last thing they want is a stuck vehicle holding back boarding and/or departure so they will ensure you are sorted.

I have done many crossings and did the above with the ferry company then having me board either with camper vans, being given a spot on the main deck etc.

Stena to and from Ireland in 2022 was brilliant in this respect.

Travelling to Caen from Portsmouth last year was OK on the way out. On the way back, the lady who checked us in asked about ground clearance and put us in the lane to go on the main deck. When we loaded we were very abruptly signed to go on the upper deck and given no say in the matter. By approaching at an angle, I avoided grounding. However, we loaded last and disembarked close to last. Not the best experience - especially as we checked in with plenty of time to spare.

Exactly our experience. With Stena, one of the loaders even got down his knees to watch us off safely.

This is a favourite crossing for us in our 4/4. (Time for a decent dinner).
Just tell the person in the check-in booth of your concern.
They will usually load you on the bottom deck.

Bud
4/4 - Stanley

We usually just drive onto truck deck ,forward position -sometimes the crew wave us up the ramp but we ignore them and they cant be bothered to chase us .most of the crew are happy with us on the truck deck.do st malo about three times a year ,harwich -hook four times a year sometimes in moggy +8 2000 sometimes in jaguar xkr which is even lower.
Chris