Looking to make a few trips this summer with 3 bicycles on the foredeck. Look for tips and tricks here to secure them to the bow rails without doing damage. Anyone traveling like this?

We have friends do it all the time. They use pool noodles slit and put over the bow rail then wire tie them closed. Then bungee or tie the bikes to the rail

 

Yep same here. We use pipe insulation and elastic straps (bungie cords). Nothing fancy, but works fine for us.
Cut the insulation to length and cinch it down tight with zip ties so it stays where you want it.
Frequently take bikes on trips, never any ill effects on the boat or the bikes accept when we did the loop. Then the chains would get rusty from the salt spray. We bought $50 bikes off Craigs list for the loop because everyone said the salt would ruin them and we didn't want to destroy our good bikes. Didn't happen, still have them, but I wouldn't put high dollar bikes out there without covers. YMMV.
We decided not to bring our bikes on the cruise this year because we thought this trip wouldn't provide enough opportunity to use them and just this morning the admiral said she wishes we did. Figures.
Zoom in on the picture to get an idea of what we do to secure them. Enjoy your trips.

 

Yep same here. We use pipe insulation and elastic straps (bungie cords). Nothing fancy, but works fine for us.
Cut the insulation to length and cinch it down tight with zip ties so it stays where you want it.
Frequently take bikes on trips, never any ill effects on the boat or the bikes accept when we did the loop. Then the chains would get rusty from the salt spray. We bought $50 bikes off Craigs list for the loop because everyone said the salt would ruin them and we didn't want to destroy our good bikes. Didn't happen, still have them, but I wouldn't put high dollar bikes out there without covers. YMMV.
We decided not to bring our bikes on the cruise this year because we thought this trip wouldn't provide enough opportunity to use them and just this morning the admiral said she wishes we did. Figures.
Zoom in on the picture to get an idea of what we do to secure them. Enjoy your trips.

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Good call on the pipe insulation. I was thinking something similar to what's used to protect the isinglass but this is a cheaper option.

 

Interesting timing on your post. I just finished strapping two bikes to the rails for the first time. Used a couple pool noodles with a slit in them on the rails and bungees to strap everything down. It was pretty simple. One thing I noticed is that the pedals if allowed to move would likely end up in contact with the gel coat so I strapped those in position on the bikes as well

 

Mark, that's a great photo of your boat.

 

Thanks Mike, that was up in Georgian Bay. Love it up there!

 

If your planning on doing more trips with the bikes I’d like to suggest going on CL/ local etc and look for folding bikes we bought 2 on CSR and love them great quality and they live in the Engineroom. See what you can find ours came with accessories and storage bags.

 

When I was a graduated HS senior I went with a friend and his parents on their boat (35' Mathews???) up there. We spent 2 weeks from the time we left Saginaw until we got back. Georgian Bay, the North Channel, Gore Bay, Meldrum Bay, Little Current, Tobermory, Owen Sound. All names from long ago that bring back great memories of the summer after graduation.

Beautiful area y'all are luck to boat in. Keep those pics coming.

 

We have a pair of folding bikes that sit in bags that we carry in the cockpit when we travel. They are awesome!

 

Another way to do it... if your deck space presents an option... is to refab a Thule or Yakima car bicycle rack system, or parts, so that you can lock them down in your location of choice. I've set 'em up several different ways, usually I look for some hard-point that I can attach a non-destructive bracketing point at each corner, then use the rails with common wheel trays or fork mounts to place them. On one occasion, they had me mount a long storage box, a kayak mount, and a surfboard mount on Thule rails, along with fixtures for two bicycles, that I'd fitted to the deck of a 40' flybridge cruiser. I used some 'common' gutter mount feet, and cut some aluminum extrusion to install into the feet, with sticky foam-rubber on the bottom, then used short straps to pull the works down against the deck. They liked this setup, but installed rails to the deck for installing and removing the rack in future, without needing straps or fat feet. The rails were small enough to tuck in areas where feet wouldn't catch them.

 

So the pool noodles worked great. However not sure I would do this again on such a long trip. Maybe on a shorter trip to keep the bikes out of the elements. As mentioned there was some expected rust. Its amazing you can tell which one of us had the more cheaply made bike based on who had more rust. It wasn't terrible but still there is noticeable rust. Also not sure if it was all from saltwater as i washed them down after each run but rather being left out in the elements for 2 weeks. May also look at the folding bike option for just the Admiral and myself so that we travel with them in the engine room. Kids may be happier bringing their scooters next time.

 

We bought 2 Tern fold up bikes this spring and they have been great to have on board. We took the “real” bikes a few time to the Vineyard when we were going to some liger bike rides but my wife and I have done 7mile rides on the fold us and they are great.

 

Thanks Jeremy, will check them out.

 

I have done this once and used pipe insulation and bungee.

I don't do it anymore and just put them in the cockpit area for the trip. It reduced my visibility too much the one time I did it which was a very foggy day.

 

Maybe look at some folding electric scooters instead of bikes.

 

Ya, thread about this last summer, my neighbor takes one on train to work in DC, fits in a pack you can carry on your back. Look into it.

 

Saltwater is especially hard on bicycles.

the corrosion problem is even more problematic when rust drips onto the fiberglass.

Folding bikes are good for folding. If the rides are short distance they're well suited. if you're more performance and distance oriented, a better option is to pull the wheels, install transport axles, and place the bikes and wheels in transport bags on the spare berth.

My aunt and her husband ride very expensive custom folders everywhere, but they can't keep up with my Synapse carbon.

 

After riding the Lime scooter in Seattle last weekend I decided I needed one for the boat/home/motorhome but unlike the Lime, this one has suspension + 10" air-filled tires... https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08R7G4YYJ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Amazon is riddled with foldable e-bikes starting from around $450, and most of them get 4 stars and up.

 

We have a set of Lectricxp folding bikes….perfect

 

We have a couple fold ups that fit in bags we stick down in the aft "cabin" (which is more like our trunk these days). The Dahon Mariner D8 is the model, not going to do the Tour de France on it, but it seems well built, has 8 speeds, and is great for making a run around an island, or a trip to the grocery store or West Marine when you're in port. It's only a 20" wheel model, but pretty good utility and quality.
MARINER D8 – Dahon Bike