ok, sorry - so basically you would fill out the online ferry form as 'car under 17', and then make up a model (mid size car or whatever) , and the rest of the stats - the ferry doesn't 'check' your license number out ahead of time - but you would feel better ifyou call the steamship authority - the number is on the web page where you attempted to fill out the form, and make your reservation that way over the telephone and they will help you figure it out. Plenty of people rent cars and bring them over by ferry, so I am sure the reservationist will help you figure it out. Be calm ! It will work out !

We always wrote "rental car" and then listed the type of car we were renting -never had a problem and have never heard of a rental car agency that dissed the ferry. We use Hertz, by the way.

I had emailed my cousin who comes to the island from the west coast. She has never had a problem - she tells them standard car, under the 17' box and she does it on phone not online and she has rented from Avis and Hertz - so I think you need to call Budget again and make sure this is their policy b/c if it is, they are nuts :)

OK, I am all set. Thanks for all the help! I called the ferry and you were right, it is OK just to give them our vehicle registration number and tell them SUV. I guess I will rent a car somewhere else now that I have an email from Budget saying I cannot take it on the ferry, I will not ask the next company! Thanks again, I was really stumped. I look forward to visiting Martha's Vineyard for the first time. It sounds GREAT!

Glad it all worked out for you - we look forward to hearing all about it in your trip report in the fall !

My Dad,husband and 15 year old son would like to book a 1/2day fishing trip next week. Does anyone know who would be good? I have a list but don't know anything about them. I tried to email Tomahawk charters but had no response. Any help would be great!!

Don't forget Lambert's Cover for sunsets and Lambert's Cove Country Inn for incredible food in an amazing setting!

if you can't reach Buddy from Tomahawk Charters by email, I would call the number on his website.
If he isn't answering you can try calling this number
508/645-3867 which is phone # for the restaurant at Aquinnah/Gay Head - they are all related and might know if he is out of town, etc or at a fishing tournament and might be able to recommend someone else who works with him.

Otherwise, I can't give reference for another, as this is who our family always uses.

You could always try and call Ocean Bluffs harbor master and see if he can recommend.

Does my husband need to pack a sport jacket for the restaurants at night? How dressy should we be to eat at Lamberts Cove or Sweet Life ,Beach Plum Inn,etc?

We have never eaten at Lamberts Cove, so you can check with them. In over 10 summers on island, my husband has never brought a sports jacket -
at Sweet Life, I have gone in anything from dress jeans to skirt and top - my husband has gone in nice shorts and collared shirt/sweater or khakis -
there are diners around us in everything from dresses to dress slacks and shirts, to shorts and short sleeve jerseys in the summer.

If you are concerned about dress codes, I would say casual slacks for him and a collared shirt are fine, he can bring a tie if he wants to dress it up for Beach Plum Inne, which is what my husband does.
Beach Plum I get a little dressier for, but again this is in summer, meaning for me a skirt and sweater set type of thing or black pants and sweater.

My favorite sandwich for lunch is the fried green tomato sandwich at "slice of life' cafe, diagonal from Sweet Life Cafe....it is on Circuit St, the "main st" in Oak Bluffs - sorry if I mentioned this prior in this post I might have...

Weather forecast for here this wknd is sunny but brisk, with the warmer day being Sunday - you should have good weather, but will need sweaters, etc to bundle up - even though you have a car, get out on the ferry and enjoy the view, so have a sweatshirt with a hood or something to cover your head if it is cold and windy. nice to see the surroundings as you approach.

check mvol.com for events while you are on island

have a blast !

Thanks so much for everything!!!!!!!!!!
I will let you know how the trip goes..

We definitely look forward to your trip report !