Best method I've seen was on the ferry from Brindisi to Greece. They didn't have any tiedown points, just chocks, and the locals just put the bikes in gear on the side stand then stuck the chock verticaly under the right hand footrest/frame rail/engine. I did the same but was skeptical to the chances of the bike surviving the crossing without going over. When I went to disembark I found the crew had tied all the bikes to the wall with rope, though not in any way which was going to achieve much.

I used that method on a Seafrance channel crossing, and a crewmember got a bit upset and spent a few minutes trying to make me strap it down, then walked off shrugging his shaulders when I couldn't be persuaded. Worked well with a lowish heavy bike, though I don't think I'd try it with the DR350 I've got now.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/steven....6/greece-1.jpg

I can't remember the last time I was on a ferry and it was rough enough to tip beer out of my full pint :thumbup1: I never go over the top with the tie downs, you see some people going mad with them, tie wrapping front brake, chocking the wheels etc etc. If the crossing was bad enough to warrant that type of strapping down the last thing you would be worried about is your motorcycle, sharks or jellyfish more likely.

Pete

These two show my bike tied down on a Brittany Ferries fastcat Poole - Cherbourg. The ferry staff did all the tying down and the didn't move an inch :thumbup1:

http://monsieur.smugmug.com/photos/1...45_ecucQ-L.jpg

http://monsieur.smugmug.com/photos/1...77_8fmjg-L.jpg