Ever take the Washington State Ferries? Don't let them overcharge you!

[Kevinn]

Our cars are 13.5 feet in length. When you pull up to the booth, they will automatically charge you the "Vehicle Under 22' (standard veh) & Driver" fare.

You have to ask them each time to charge you for the "Vehicle Under 14' (less than 168”) & Driver" price.


Just a little FYI

[ipsum]

Yep. When I first bought the car I guess they didn't know 86 twins are short, so they had to measure it, offered a sticker so that they won't need to re-measure later. Recently took a ferry from Edmonds, all I had to say was that it's a Subaru BRZ and it's under 14', so they charged accordingly without arguing.

[Chen]

If I have a front lip and rear diffuser. Do they measure from front to rear that way or just nose to trunk?

[ipsum]

They put a reflector block in front of the car and use this wireless distance measuring thing, under the car I think. If the car is slammed to the ground it might not work.

But anyways I think at this point the car is known enough they won't need to measure.

[Locust]

Whoa I wish I knew this. I pay like $21 round trip to get out to Bremerton for autocross. Thanks for the heads up.

[Kevinn]

They have a book that lists vehicles.

I found out, cause a friend of mine tried to tell the lady in the booth that his 2012 Scion tC was under 14ft, she pulled out the book, looked it up, and said it's over 14ft. The twins definitely qualify.

One would probably only have to Google "Scion FR-S length" or "Subaru BRZ length" and it will list the length in inches at the top of the search results. That should provide quick proof for those ferry workers that decide to investigate.

[Pete156]

With my front splitter and rear diffuser my car is 1" over, but don't tell any WSF workers. I have enjoyed the discount for the last three years (in fact the amount discounted has increased over the last three).

[Kevinn]

Originally Posted by Pete156

With my front splitter and rear diffuser my car is 1" over, but don't tell any WSF workers. I have enjoyed the discount for the last three years (in fact the amount discounted has increased over the last three).

I'm actually sitting on the Port Townsend to Coupeville ferry right now. Cost me $8.50

When I went to reserve online, there is no option for U14'

Had to pick the U22' option. Then before handing the guy in the booth my card, I told him why I didn't choose the correct option for my car. He fixed it, no questions asked.

[Pete156]

Originally Posted by Kevinn

I'm actually sitting on the Port Townsend to Coupeville ferry right now. Cost me $8.50

When I went to reserve online, there is no option for U14'

Had to pick the U22' option. Then before handing the guy in the booth my card, I told him why I didn't choose the correct option for my car. He fixed it, no questions asked.

Correct. You will only get the discount at the ticket booth, not online.

[Kevinn]

Originally Posted by Pete156

With my front splitter and rear diffuser my car is 1" over, but don't tell any WSF workers. I have enjoyed the discount for the last three years (in fact the amount discounted has increased over the last three).

What I noticed, at least at the port townsend terminal, there are lines painted on the ground where you pull up to pay at the booth. If I were to take a wild guess, I'd guess they are there to aid in measurement.

Maybe pull forward a little bit extra just in case. That's what I did as soon as I saw those lines. Don't want to waste time having them measure me like they did with ipsum

Originally Posted by ipsum

Yep. When I first bought the car I guess they didn't know 86 twins are short, so they had to measure it, offered a sticker so that they won't need to re-measure later. Recently took a ferry from Edmonds, all I had to say was that it's a Subaru BRZ and it's under 14', so they charged accordingly without arguing.

Originally Posted by ipsum

They put a reflector block in front of the car and use this wireless distance measuring thing, under the car I think. If the car is slammed to the ground it might not work.

But anyways I think at this point the car is known enough they won't need to measure.

[Locust]

I E-mailed them and got a refund for my overcharge. I'm going to use that $4.50 to buy a milk shake.

[bcj]

Saw that the twins are listed at 167.5 inches.
Went and bought an FRS the next day.
Living on BI, it makes a big difference.

Motorcycles are half the rate of a car though.
Also first on and first off. That's how I've coped with it before.

[Kevinn]

Originally Posted by bcj

Saw that the twins are listed at 167.5 inches.
Went and bought an FRS the next day.
Living on BI, it makes a big difference.

Motorcycles are half the rate of a car though.
Also first on and first off. That's how I've coped with it before.

I know a few people who live in Friday Harbor. Their lives revolve around the ferry schedule it seems. Have you seen the rates for that ferry? I couldn't do it...

That Seattle ferry is my least favorite to drive off of. Cool view pulling into Seattle though...

[bcj]

Originally Posted by Kevinn

That Seattle ferry is my least favorite to drive off of.

This. Even worse now with tunnel boring, seawall replacement and 99 reconstruction.
Waterfront is a medium-warm drippy mess.

Once the viaduct is gone, it's going to be a condo building free-for-all for many more years to come.
It's often much easier to drive around Tacoma or Olympia depending on destination.
Going north, Kinston - Edmonds usually works for mid-day runs during the week.