Washing machines

[slavkod]

Hello all,

just back from 6 months sailing in Med. Great.. During that time we have found that washing machine would be a good thing to have o board. I have been searching internet but could not found any which fits. Any advice or experince with one on board?

Thank you,

Slavko

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[roly_voya]

Never mind how big it is how much water will it use!!! If you have to go to a marina to top up the water tank every time you do the washing you might as well use the laundrette. (but if you do find a workable solution let us all know and we will get one as well)

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[castlevar]

We have a small washing m/c on board using it for the past 4 years it is really very good its a zanussi not sure what model it is as we are at home at moment.
We find it very easy on water not sure how much it uses but we use at anchor and when travelling off the inverter uses about 1 kilowatt returning to boat soon if you require further info contact me.
Geoff

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[SPROUTZ]

I also believe that a washing machine could be extremely helpful when my wife and I will start retiring in our boat in the Med.
I have already installed a genset and water consumption is not really a worry since it is quite easy to fill the tanks in Croatia, Greece or Turkey. Laundrettes are not very frequent to find even in Italy.
My doubts concern mainly:

1) which machine to install: boatyards like Jeanneau, Garcia, etc suggest a 3 kg EUMENIA model, but it looks like that this manufacturer got bankrupted recently

2) electronics in the washing machine: I read somewhere that a simple mechanical command system is a lot more realiable in a sailing boat which could bounce around on the sea.

3) how the washing machine should be installed taking into consideration the vibrations when the centrifuge will work and how and where the water should be discharged. Shall I drill a new hole ( above or below the water level ) with a valve or may I use the pipe of discharge from the basins as usually done at home?

I will appreciate to get your comments and suggestions.

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[slavkod]

Thank you,

I have found Zanussi ZWC1300W on net. Looks good. Iz uses only 39 liter of water and 0,57 KWh. It ha variavle speed spin and quick wash option. Price in the range of 500 Euro. I checked web site www.empiredirect.co.uk. Now I have to find one in my area.
Again based on experince this year I think that this will save a lot of time and help to good relationship on board.

Best regards,

Slavko

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[redhot]

We too, decided that we needed a washing machine and after some great advice from this forum, we opted for the Candy Aquamatic 10T. This is both a compact machine and has low power/water usage.
It measures approx. 19" wide, takes a 3kg load and draws about 1250 watts so will run on most inverters. Water usage is quoted as 42 litres on a main heavily soiled wash.

One the subject of the waste water, I just tapped into the sink drain as you might do in a landbased home.

Hope this helps
Mike

<hr width=100% size=1><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by redhot on 17/10/2004 14:08 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[Rob_Webb]

Many people say they are too heavy and use too much water and power but that's always from owners of smaller boats. But if you talk to people who have bigger boats with gensets and watermakers they say 'great idea', why not?

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[Abraxas33]

Just before we set off for the Med I nipped down to B&Q and bought Mrs J a new washing machine (big orange bucket and sink plunger). After two seasons intensive use I can recommend the set up! It takes little water, no electrical power and both the bucket and plunger have other uses on the boat. Now if I could only get her to use it....

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[nightjar]

Remember seeing a washing machine built into the head/shower on a Hallburg -Rassy 43 a year or so ago. Don't know how much the washer was but the HR43 was £300K + Never mind!

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[ashley]

Big versus little washing machines

For the extra 5cm space saving, i don't think these smaller and more expensive machines offer any power or water saving at all.
Comparing the small zanussi to a normal zanussi specs;

Wash size 3Kg / 5Kg
Water usage; 39l / 44l
Electricity; 570w / 950w

You'll use the machine twice as much and get through more resources in the long run

<hr width=100% size=1>Live life to the fullest... think of all the people on the Titanic who passed up chocolate dessert.

 

[pragmatist]

Sounds a nice idea - there's no way we'd have room for something like that. But on a practical note if you can put up with handwashing clothes (mainly shorts & T-shirts in a warm climate ?) would one need a washing machine for anything other than bedding ? Slightly concerned to read that laundrettes are rare in Med - use a commercial laundrette in Dartmouth and can do 2 weeks washing for quite a low sum, mostly in the half hour it takes to visit the internet cafe.

What are people's experiences in places like the Med ?

<hr width=100% size=1>a pragmatist is an optimist with a boat in the UK - but serious about not being in the UK !

 

[jerryat]

Hi Pragmatist,

Laundrettes as we know them are pretty few and far between in the Med., at least in the main sailing areas I've visited over the years. However, panic not!! What there are plenty of, is lavanderias (the name in Spain) which are a bit like like our dry cleaners but for 'wet', normal washing. Frankly the cost, considering one just dumps the bundle(s) there and collects them when finished, is very reasonable. You can specify just the washing, or add drying or ironing as you desire.

A few marinas (if you use them) have facilities similar to ours, but we tend to wash out the shorts/teeshirts and other clothes we use almost all the time in a little Wonderwash (I think it's called). These are sold by most chandlers here and are a fantastic way off doing small washes, though they will do sheets etc as well. Put hot water/detergent in, lock the lid in place, turn the handle for about 5 minutes, and bingo! They use very little water too!

Hope this helps!

Jerry

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[mocruising]

We have a Kenny on our Hallberg Rassy it works a treat. Never had one in the past but would not sail without one now. We do hovever have a gen set and water maker so power and consumption are not really an issue.

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