I've had enough!!

Dont get an expensive one unless its Miele. I would buy the cheapest smallest one and renew it every12-18 months sailing time so that would be 3-5 years of normal med cruising perhaps.
 
You cannot be serious? A washing machine?!

I had a retired RNAS cap'n rafted alongside the other day. He washed his spare shirt in a bucket on the quay, then rinsed it and hung it up. By the time we'd had a couple of beers it was dry.

I develop an irritable skin condition if I don't wear clean shirts, so I just bring a week's supply. Gunties will last a couple of days if you keep yourself clean, and socks are small and easily washable.

Maybe you should do what my sister's family do and go on cruise ships.

Off now for my every-other-day shower ashore.
 
Mate of mine lived on a Spray with wife and 2 kids, doing exactly this for 8 years. He used the larger size barrel - but the same principle.

Good for him!

For 8 years I did washing by hand. Liveaboard 24/7 365. Eventually it takes it's toll on the hands & wrists. It's great fun in the summer not so much in the winter. Hand washing uses more water than a machine - fact!
We fitted the Candy in Croatia in 2004. The best thing that we have ever done and wish we'd had the forethought to fit one at the outset. To those that think a washing machine, unless you buy top of the range, will not last. The Candy has been used 3-4 times a week for 8 years. One tiny spot of rust under the door, cured with curerust and a replaced capacitor.
 
Dont get an expensive one unless its Miele. I would buy the cheapest smallest one and renew it every12-18 months sailing time so that would be 3-5 years of normal med cruising perhaps.

Another one, what is it about liveaboard you don't understand? I think we are talking about 24/7 365days a year. Not a couple of months summer cruising!! :eek: :)
 
Another one, what is it about liveaboard you don't understand? I think we are talking about 24/7 365days a year. Not a couple of months summer cruising!! :eek: :)


"Spending the summer cruising with the other half and two boys".

I may have missed a later post of the original poster so i presumed it was a yacht for summer use where most boats are and then winterised from Oct/Nov to April/May.

As for my understanding about "live abroad" since April 2011 i have been living on a boat with only 6 weeks on land. Im currently on board in Spain. So i think i am more a live abroad than you give credit for.

Back on subject, We only use the washing machine when we are in port or in calm waters with the generator. Sailing across the Atlantic to St Lucia and then 4000 miles back to Hamble without stopping we didnt use it as it upsets the balance of the machine.

As for my original advice about getting a cheap one. My thoughts after 4 years at uni are, If you buy cheap then it may run for years and years but if it fails 'its only a cheap one so getting a new one is no biggy, if it fails'. Buying an expensive Miele or equiv and then having that fail you might pay more (being abroad) fixing it than you might just getting a new cheap one.

Bottom line if you have the cash buy the best! Just my thought.
 
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Ahh yes, that would be my fault. We are spending this summer cruising Ireland as a shakedown before becoming full time live aboard from next April. Then it is down to the med for the summer and across the pond that autumn. In my humble opinion after only two months living on the boat is that a washing machine is becoming an essential piece of kit. I have to say that I agree with ZigmundoVanDog, I will be buying the best one I can afford, I just wanted to hear if anyone else had a particular brand that they would recomend. I was not sure if I would need a specialised marine one or if a small household one would do.
 
Wash the sailors way in a bucket, fill bucket with clothes, water and detergent to taste, leave for a few hours to soak then agitate a bit, rinse a few times and hang out to dry, simples as they say.
 
I just happen to have a used Euronova mini washing machine in the garage.Paid £100 for it last year to fit into Benney 44cc,but change of plans have made it surplass to requirements....

Phil
I bought a fridge from Appliance Online last week and it arrived the next day as promised. Ordered at lunch time and it arrived at 0845 the next day and we were their EIGHTH drop off that morning.
 
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Another one, what is it about liveaboard you don't understand? I think we are talking about 24/7 365days a year. Not a couple of months summer cruising!! :eek: :)

I just had a brain wave..


Wash the sailors way in a bucket, fill bucket with clothes, water and detergent to taste, leave for a few hours to soak then agitate a bit, rinse a few times and hang out to dry, simples as they say.

Get a big bucket put a grill right down the middle of it, attach the outboard engine to a fitting on one side of the grill, put clothes on other side of grill add detergent and start your engine.

Hey presto youl have a washing machine for the cost of a bucket a bit of fuel and a grill :-))))
 
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