Club Arnage

Posted on Pistonheads.com

One of the guys has just booked a return for June for £69 (not sure what dates/times etc.)  at www.speedferries.com

Looks like they've taken over one of the fast cats on teh Dover Boulogne Route

Might be useful for anyone booking last minute.

I thought that was for the Le Mans weekend but could be wrong.  They are certainly doing sone stunning deals.  Personally I hope the cat on that route is more reliable than the one used on Newhaven-Dieppe the other year, which on 5 out of the 6 occasions I was booked on either ran late, or was cancelled altogether!

Yes it was for the Le Mans weekend, just not sure what day out or return (i.e. may have only been a 24 hour/2day special)

I did a check going out Monday morning (7th) returning Monday evening (14th) and it was £80.

I was reading about the bloke that runs Speedferries the other day. He seems to be coming in with a 'Freddy Laker' (who I once helped fish out of a white Rolls in a verge, completely bollocksed) approach to channel crossing. He reckons he'll be able to cut the existing ferry prices by 70-80%. So I reckon it could be worth keeping an eye on him, especially as it's just starting up, there's bound to be some good deals in order to grab everyones attention.
H

Why do you all still use ferries?

I just find them awful and go on the tunnel.  No sea sickness, no over priced food and drink, crap toilets, but still can hold on for 35 mins, no packed in like sardines getting your pride and joy scratched by some kid.

I appreciate certain vehicles can't, but having done all three; Sea Cat, slow ferry to Calais and tunnel, tunnel everytime.

So long as it don't go bankrupt by June 11th, if it goes bump after, great.

Already in France when you've just weighed anchor.

Ron  :P ;D  

£80 against £399 and 6hours approx less driving. The lads are going to have a big think on next years crossing. I hope he keeps afloat (pardon the pun) and forces the other companies to drop their prices. All good news for us.

Does someone what to email the company and ask if they are interested in selling a portsmouth caen crossing for 100GBP!

Article in the weekend papers about this company, seems they want to be the Easyjet of the ferry's.

The earlier you book the cheaper it will be. Apparently the other crossing companies are not very keen on him reducing their mark ups.

Speedferries seem to be good idea, hope it works and bring down the prices.

Yea, they also need to run a crossing from Portsmouth. -  Been quoted £400 + for a galaxy. Wot a bunch of rip off gits.

That must be why they go to Boulogne instead of Calais.

Will they also go to Hornfleur instead of Le Havre, Deauville instead of Caen, and to the Mont St Michel instead of St Malo??  ;D

Will they also go to Hornfleur instead of Le Havre, Deauville instead of Caen, and to the Mont St Michel instead of St Malo??  ;D


Mont St Michel might only sail twice a year due to tidal conditions. Funny how I have seen each of those names on the bow front of a ship ferry.  ;D

I saw that  >:(

(http://www.intriguing.com/mp/_pictures/brian/whistle.jpg)

Sychronicity city again!

H, would it be possible that the estimable Mr Laker was also indulging in self abuse, which caused him to lose control of his Roller and crash? I only ask in so far as dear old Freddie is an uncle of my mate Chris (Laker) who comes with us to Le Mans. As I have explained previously, Chris has a nocturnal habit which results in poor eye sight and a right arm shaped like a crab's claw. In fact it is easier to measure the time Chris is not pleasuring himself than to ask him how many times he's done it on any particular day.

Just a thought.

Wotcher Andy! I don't remember any right handed shenanigans, but Freddy was so p*ssed he couldn't even move his eyeballs. It was about 2am on Fishing Hole Road (well, just off the road, in the bushes actually), just outside of Freeport. I have to say, the man knows how to enjoy himself.
Once he got the keys back into the ignition he was ok....
H

I have to agree with pretzel.  But IMHO youonly need to be west of London.  Fo me it's about an hours drive from home to Portsmouth a six hour crossing and then a two and a half hour drive to the Circuit.
It would take the same elapsed time if I went Via Dover but I'd get no sleep.

Plus you miss the entertainment on the Ferry.

---------------------------------------------

  .....entertainment?????? :o ::) you must have been on differant ferries to me  ;)  I wouldn't class what I've heard as entertainment  :P
......but do prefer the longer crossing, more time in the bar, especially as SWMBO can drive off the thing  ;)

I take it you weren't on the Portsmouth - Caen last year on the Wedneday night then??  :)

I was not refering to the "PAID FOR" Brittany ferries entertainment.

Jeeezzzz you guys are Soooo unhip it's a wonder your Bums don't fall off.

Neither was I!!!  Some drunken reprobate told the DJ last year he was crap and took his mike off him and started doing Karaoke. Oh, hang on.......it was me!!  ;D

Neither was I!!!  Some drunken reprobate told the DJ last year he was crap and took his mike off him and started doing Karaoke. Oh, hang on.......it was me!!  ;D

This seems to happen on all pompey-caen crossing, once there was an old couple providing the entertainment (cue H) and someone was dancing around in front of them and singing, the old girl said if he didn't stop then they would pack up and go to which the reply was go on then f**k off. Got to say the guy causing the couple problems took the mike and provided a better class of entertainment.

On Pompey Caen maybe 3 or 4 years ago there was an odd couple, him with a small organ (phnarrr phnarrrr) and she was playing a harp.

They were enjoying the sing along and banter so much that they played longer than they should. Best evening they'd had in years - not so sure about us though, but it was a laugh.

Morning fellas. Just back from a week away ( instead of 2) but managed to get to Morocco.

Ferries - cheaper ones break down, smell of puke and dont sell nice things like cold drink ! The ones to Tangier are horrid, and cheap !

Boulongne is a terrible place to get out of and the ferry port is decaying. That route wont last, the last 2 firms havent from Newhaven / Dover to Boulogne. the Calais route is too powerful as opposition.

The Portsmouth routes are more expensive, but are better for offering more food choise etc etc oh and a cabin ( £80) for 4 berth. Its £60 a night at most inner city hotels, so you cant grumble.

I didnt realise until yesterday that Le Havre and Caen are VERY expensice to dock at.

Due to low water levels around Normandy beaches the routes in and out of caen and Le Havre are very congested.

And its very costly. I dont mind paying the ferry, they are running a business.

Some good news , esopecially for Mr Zarce and other Vommit Commit sufferers. The new portsmouth express to Caen route is MUCH better than the cherbourg one. You can stand out in the open air and the food is better.
I managed to keep my food down yesterday. Also for speed freaks, the initial rush  when the boat leaves port is quite amazing as it picks up to its 40 knot cruise quickly, and whilst pulling 200 cars.

Give it ago, because its catching on and will be very busy next year. especially when P&O dont go to Le Havre anymore !!!!

Doesn't this vary according to the time of day?

No idea,I was talking to the 1st Officer . but as he is danish i didnt ask too many questions, but took his word for it.

Otherwise i guess its called the Tide ??

Perhaps the entrance channel needs to be dredged frequently. Dredging is a very expensive operation.
Canada Phil

Hope you had a nice trip.

I am slightly puzzled by the reference to Newhaven as there is currently a Hoverspeed SeaCat service from Newhaven to Dieppe which has been running in the summer months for the last few years (at least 4 possibly more)  They did try running the service in all months except December Jan and Feb, however the weather proved a hindrance!  On occasions though its not a reliable route.

In addition to the Seacat there is a standard ferry service from Newhaven to Dieppe, and that service is now at least 2 years old.  The ships are slow, and have been known to run aground on the approach to Newhaven due to a lack of dredging.  However the route is meant to be freight friendly as it provides a 4 hour break.  Apparently 2 brand new ships are being built for the route.

Folkestone-Boulonge is more problematic.  The long sea crossings work because you know there is no ferry for x hours so if you miss yours you're stuffed.  Going from Calais you basically travel on th next craft.  Folkestone - Boulonge will have to be very cheap to undercut Dover-Calais due to convienence factor, and the lack of ease for finding the route when doing an internet search the other day does not bode well.

Chris, there was a Freight only route from Newhaven to Boulogne a few years back, it didnt last long.

But thanks, it was a nice trip.

Newhaven to Boulogne?  It must have taken all week, no wonder it didn't last long!