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Post by Political Incorrectness on Jun 17, 2008 22:04:18 GMT -8
I think this vessel fits that category, how ugly is she? I guess this is what you get when you combine the screamer, crapilano, and a few ugly design changes together. www.flickr.com/photos/rhmark/2583075950/sizes/o/I believe more people will add to this. Reason why I love to hate this vessel: The name: How do you come up with Island Sky? Was someone daydreaming at Fleethouse and then said "hey this is a great idea!" It sounds as if they thought of it while on drugs. Who the heck came up with the design exactly? It looks like an oddball, and the windows with a deck in front ruin the purpose of having windows facing down? Especially with the compact deck space. |
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Mill Bay
Voyager 
Long Suffering Bosun
Posts: 2,886 
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Post by Mill Bay on Jun 17, 2008 22:09:22 GMT -8
Hey, who started this thread anyway...? I believe I hold the license for this thread title, actually  . Way to double post the same link on two threads too. But in this pic she looks almost half-way interesting... Maybe the governing authority on ferry aesthetics won't know until I actually get on board. |
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Post by DENelson83 on Jun 17, 2008 22:33:21 GMT -8
So, somebody doesn't really like the Island Sky, eh? Do you prefer good ol' VCMC (Queen of Tsawwassen) instead, Coastal Maniac 101?
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Post by Political Incorrectness on Jun 17, 2008 22:37:04 GMT -8
Hmm, let me see, a lemon and ugly design versus an original and Spaulding design I think I will take the original with Spaulding  Just to add to this the decks on the ends of the IS with the windows facing down, now I am sure you would like to face a window staring down and cramped up to it. |
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Post by Canucks on Jun 18, 2008 9:20:00 GMT -8
My issue with the "Island Sky"  (have to agree with the name Coastal Maniac) is the walkway from the bridge to the exhaust pipes. It draws attention to the exhaust which really could have used a funnel and make the whole upper ship look to boxy. |
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Post by Mike C on Jun 18, 2008 9:44:13 GMT -8
My issue with the "Island Sky" (have to agree with the name Coastal Maniac) is the walkway from the bridge to the exhaust pipes. It draws attention to the exhaust which really could have used a funnel and make the whole upper ship look to boxy. You're right, even a Queen of Cumberland funnel would have looked better. I think the Island Sky looks more like a beached whale... and with all the problems going on right now, it probably will be...  |
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Post by ferrytraveller on Jun 18, 2008 10:11:17 GMT -8
personally i like the design of the ship.
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Post by Nickfro on Jun 18, 2008 14:34:26 GMT -8
I concur that I like the looks of a funnel versus these exhaust pipes out the sides. However, I also feel that it's nice to have a bridge that has more room and functionality, which this design hopefully has since there's no funnel.
I'm looking forward to seeing the Island Sky in person so I can give a better opinion about her looks. I have always liked the Crappy and the Cumbie for their layout (mechanical issues aside) and I truly like the design of permanent ramp decks in lieu of the articulating ramp decks. I'm looking forward to taking a trip up to Jervis Inlet in the fall. . .a circlepac trip, perhaps.
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Post by WettCoast on Jun 18, 2008 22:19:52 GMT -8
This conversation should have been happening in the already established Island Sky thread (that I boat...).
As for her appearance, see my comments on that other thread. Overall she is not bad and at least as good as the Coast Boats.
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Post by Political Incorrectness on Jun 19, 2008 20:30:47 GMT -8
I know cadmunkey is going to want to hug me for this selection:
She was bought in Norway in 1991. She barely had any windows, and has a small passenger deck. Everytime she is on Earls Cove-Saltery Bay, her vibrations feel like an earthquake for the 55 minute crossing that seems longer. She is known as the Queen of Box, and has to be an oddball in the fleet.
Queen of Chilliwack, you are now on this list!
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Mill Bay
Voyager
Long Suffering Bosun
Posts: 2,886
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Post by Mill Bay on Jun 20, 2008 23:29:30 GMT -8
I know cadmunkey is going to want to hug me for this selection: She was bought in Norway in 1991. She barely had any windows, and has a small passenger deck. Everytime she is on Earls Cove-Saltery Bay, her vibrations feel like an earthquake for the 55 minute crossing that seems longer. She is known as the Queen of Box, and has to be an oddball in the fleet. Queen of Chilliwak, you are now on this list! I think Scott is the actual license holder for the reasons to hate the Chilliwack, and you spelt it wrong too. |
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Quatchi
Voyager
Engineering Officer - CCG
Posts: 930
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Post by Quatchi on Jun 21, 2008 0:19:36 GMT -8
You know I don't see what is wrong with the Chilliwack. Sure she shakes around a tonne but she is a good ship. Also she is cooler than any other boat in the fleet. Come on, they named the ship after Chilliwack, the coolest town in BC. That in itself deserves respect. If you are hater of the Wack state your name and address below and I will come and change your mind for you.  Cheers, |
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Koastal Karl
Voyager
Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
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Post by Koastal Karl on Jun 21, 2008 7:31:48 GMT -8
I am leaving in a few mins to spend 3 days 2 nights on the Wack. It will be fun. At least a few of us still like the Wack. I like all ferries in the fleet. I wouldent say I hate any ship but there are a few maybe I am not too fond of.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jun 21, 2008 8:09:31 GMT -8
I am leaving in a few mins to spend 3 days 2 nights on the Wack. It will be fun. .....and the winds will be 20km/h near Port Hardy tonight, so the Wack will be rocking. For those about to rock, let there be rock (and rolling of the ship in the swells). By some strange coincidence, I too will be spending 2 nights on the 'Wack this weekend, and I suspect that I won't be ambivalent about how I feel about the ship, once the 48-hour trip is done. Perhaps we can do a poll to see who thinks that Karl and I might end up hating the 'Wack. (no, just kidding about the poll). |
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Post by Mike C on Jun 21, 2008 9:41:47 GMT -8
This one's for Hornby:
You are a practical car transporter and workhorse. However, you resemble a barge, have next to no passenger lounge space, and you are very slow.
Kahloke, you are now on the list!
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Post by Variable Pitch on Jun 21, 2008 11:57:24 GMT -8
A WORD OF CAUTION TO ALL!!!!!
Do NOT click on the link "http://oldferries.net" at the bottom of New Flyer's signature. I made the unfortunate mistake and it has NOTHING to do with old ferries....
You get pop up boxes featuring Rick Astley aka "The wimp with a voice" ARRGHHH!!!!!!!
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Post by Alex on Jun 21, 2008 13:12:39 GMT -8
Rickrolled!
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Post by Mike C on Jun 22, 2008 14:28:10 GMT -8
A WORD OF CAUTION TO ALL!!!!! Do NOT click on the link " at the bottom of New Flyer's signature. I made the unfortunate mistake and it has NOTHING to do with old ferries.... You get pop up boxes featuring Rick Astley aka "The wimp with a voice" ARRGHHH!!!!!!! LOL - you got Rickrolled! (fine, fine, I'll get rid of it... but it was funny for the time. ) |
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Post by Variable Pitch on Jun 22, 2008 21:12:38 GMT -8
"Rickrolled" huh, cute...  In this day and age, who knew what the hell was going on. Oh well, it was incentive to change all my passwords, thanks for the "nudge" in that direction! (which was overdue..) Just a suggestion, in future, maybe pick ANYONE better from the 80's!! |
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Mill Bay
Voyager
Long Suffering Bosun
Posts: 2,886
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Post by Mill Bay on Jun 22, 2008 21:28:38 GMT -8
Now it's time for some original thought on this thread...
Everyone knows by now how much I hate the Spirits (at least in their current configurations... I can't remember anymore how they were originally).
But I have lots of reasons:
#1. They are BORING as hell: all you can do is walk in endless circles around the passenger decks.
#2. Stupid gift shops with over-priced tourist souvenirs.
#3. Invariably always crowded, noisy and frustrating: A gong-show as others have put it.
#4. Boring car decks. Bright, white and sterile, unlike the dark caverns on some of the older ships which are fun to explore. (The upper car deck is a little more interesting. This same complaint also applies to the Coastals.)
#5. No access forward on Deck 7. Wouldn't it be nice to get into that forward viewing area under the bridge where the mythical conference room is? In addition to this is the lack of bow access; too many areas on these ships are crew only, too.
#6. Pathetic horns.
#7. Too commercialized with pop machines and candy dispensers everywhere.
#8. Time it takes to deploy the platforms made me miss my last chance to take pictures of the Tsawwassen transiting active pass.
Any questions? Cause I can provide additional weaknesses if I need to augment my conclusion that the Spirits ought to be the most hated ships in the fleet.
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Post by DENelson83 on Jun 22, 2008 22:50:29 GMT -8
A WORD OF CAUTION TO ALL!!!!! Do NOT click on the link " at the bottom of New Flyer's signature. I made the unfortunate mistake and it has NOTHING to do with old ferries.... You get pop up boxes featuring Rick Astley aka "The wimp with a voice" ARRGHHH!!!!!!! LOL - you got Rickrolled! (fine, fine, I'll get rid of it... but it was funny for the time. ) (Was an abbreviation, but got expanded for everyone's benefit (thanks for the suggestion, Scott)) Now that got me rolling on the floor laughing my big fat juicy hairy @$$ off!!! ;D ;D ;D
Moderator Note:
This post got me so excited that I felt the need to mash my hand on the keyboard and say this to our audience, FTGYHUIONURIOGJTRNV!!!
Don't question me on its meaning, but it was done with enthusiasm...
Now in more understandable terms, please refrain from excessive 'MSN' speak in the future on the forum... Thanks. |
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Post by Mike C on Jun 23, 2008 12:05:25 GMT -8
I hate the Spirits too, but everything you've listed has been done before... mostly, but it isn't as gravitating as what was done by the spirits. #1. They are BORING as hell: all you can do is walk in endless circles around the passenger decks. That's been done by the C's. #2. Stupid gift shops with over-priced tourist souvenirs. That's true on all boats #3. Invariably always crowded, noisy and frustrating: A gong-show as others have put it. Departure Bay Terminal on a Sunday night of a long weekend... #4. Boring car decks. Bright, white and sterile, unlike the dark caverns on some of the older ships which are fun to explore. (The upper car deck is a little more interesting. This same complaint also applies to the Coastals.) Go to a Costco, you'll feel the same way. #5. No access forward on Deck 7. Wouldn't it be nice to get into that forward viewing area under the bridge where the mythical conference room is? In addition to this is the lack of bow access; too many areas on these ships are crew only, too. Queen of Burnaby. Can't argue with that. Spirit horns are quite pitiful. #7. Too commercialized with pop machines and candy dispensers everywhere. Again, C Class... #8. Time it takes to deploy the platforms made me miss my last chance to take pictures of the Tsawwassen transiting active pass. What happened to Chew-on-it-wassen? ...That's a weakness in itself... |
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,190
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Post by Neil on Jun 23, 2008 15:57:36 GMT -8
The Spirits were built here. 80% of their cost stayed in BC; that's several hundred millions of dollars (today's money) that circulated in our economy instead of ending up in German pockets, and it provided thousands of employment hours, allowing hundreds of shipyard workers to hone their skills.
The Spirits are our largest vessels; they're efficient vehicle and passenger carriers, and it's precisely because they're so large and efficient that they're on the busiest route. The often crowded conditions are not a product of bad design. I particularly like the large open area on the top deck- there's always some shelter from the wind, and being open to both sides is great for viewing through Active Pass.
I can guarantee you that twenty years from now, people will revere the Spirits the way they wax eloquent about the old originals now; the boats will be the only single ended vessels on the entire south coast, and the only made in BC major ferries.
As for the Island Sky, shouldn't we hold judgement for a while? Most people haven't even seen the boat with their own eyes, let alone ride on her.
Every ferry is good and bad for various reasons. The 'Chilliwack is butt ugly, but quirky and interesting. The Mill Bay is plucky but woefully lacking in passenger comforts. The K and Q barges are drab and boring but efficient for short runs. On and on, to each their own, I guess.
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Post by Northern Exploration on Jun 23, 2008 16:40:05 GMT -8
I have always enjoyed the Spirits. In recent years it has been the class of ferries I have taken the most.
I have a certain nostalgia for the V's. I think, but cannot prove, that I have been on all the V's in the days after they were stretched and before they were lifted. However, in more recent years everytime I was on one I was disturbed by the state of the decks etc. and the seeming lack of upkeep. That and cancelled sailings due to mechanical issues made me more hesitant to sail on them when I was on a schedule.
My favourite flight from YYZ to YVR (Airbus 333 or 343) landed and left just enough time to get my bags and rental car and make it to the ferry by 1pm. So I would always reserve on that sailing and make it there just after 12 sometime. The return sailing usually was the 9am Spook back. I could sit and have a cup of coffee with my grandmother before leaving. If I left without breakfast or coffee it seemed to disturb her. That left enough time to drive from Duncan and make that sailing - again with a reservation.
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Post by WettCoast on Jun 23, 2008 18:29:55 GMT -8
Quote originating from Mr Mill Bay (above) Did you see what looked like a wall and thought that you could not go forward? How many times have you traveled on a Spirit and not figured out how to get to that place? Once you are there you can look right into the 'mythical conference room'. Have you ever been to the 'bow' on the upper car deck? It is an easy place to get to and a great place to take in the view.  I wonder how all the people in the photo got to that forward area immediately below the bridge? |
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(have to agree with the name Coastal Maniac) is the walkway from the bridge to the exhaust pipes. It draws attention to the exhaust which really could have used a funnel and make the whole upper ship look to boxy.
