Which pressure washer

[Irish Rover]

I'm planning to buy a pressure washer to keep on the boat. I want something reasonably light that I can carry up to the flybridge without too much hassle and one I can run off the inverter without killing the batteries. One of my reasons for buying is to reduce water consumption. My marina charges €10 per M³ which is 10 times what they pay the municipality for it.
I'm looking at the karcher K3 or the Bosch aquatak 125. The Bosch is a bit more expensive. Any experience of either? Any opinions?

 

[Wansworth]

I'm planning to buy a pressure washer to keep on the boat. I want something reasonably light that I can carry up to the flybridge without too much hassle and one I can run off the inverter without killing the batteries. One of my reasons for buying is to reduce water consumption. My marina charges €10 per M³ which is 10 times what they pay the municipality for it.
I'm looking at the karcher K3 or the Bosch aquatak 125. The Bosch is a bit more expensive. Any experience of either? Any opinions?

Seen in local mall a battery powered pressure washer as advertised on Tv 59.99er

 

[Irish Rover]

Seen in local mall a battery powered pressure washer as advertised on Tv 59.99er

I'm happy enough to pay appropriately double that for a mains powered known brand.

 

[Wansworth]

I'm happy enough to pay appropriately double that for a mains powered known brand.

This was single handed use not such a kerfuffle as a Karcher on wheels .I guess the proof is in the pudding but it looked effective you can use it whilst away from a plug in one

 

[Baggywrinkle]

Got a little Kärcher K2 which fits in a cockpit locker ... more than enough for removing bird poo and general grime from the decks. Go for the horizontal model if you can find it, I've got the vertical version and it is a pain cos it slides around and falls over.

Best accessory is a PS 30 power scrubber surface cleaner .... keeps everything concentrated, cleans well and avoids overspray.

To bring everything up like new, once over with the K2 & PS 30, quick scrub with an oxalic acid solution to remove staining/rust marks, then dry and seal with wax polish.

I went for a less powerful one on purpose as too much pressure and they can blow seals on windows and deck fittings.

 

[Irish Rover]

Got a little Kärcher K2 which fits in a cockpit locker ... more than enough for removing bird poo and general grime from the decks. Go for the horizontal model if you can find it, I've got the vertical version and it is a pain cos it slides around and falls over.

Best accessory is a PS 30 power scrubber surface cleaner .... keeps everything concentrated, cleans well and avoids overspray.

To bring everything up like new, once over with the K2 & PS 30, quick scrub with an oxalic acid solution to remove staining/rust marks, then dry and seal with wax polish.

I went for a less powerful one on purpose as too much pressure and they can blow seals on windows and deck fittings.

Thanks. Great tip regarding the horizontal type.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

How does a pressure washer reduce water consumption? I would have thought the opposite.

 

[vas]

+1 on a K2, bought it for the boat the horizontal one, slides about less (but does slide!)
had an old big karcher at home bought 15+ years ago, I feel this baby is stronger than the old one.
Also survived a couple of days dunk in muddy waters in the 23 floods here (wasn't plugged in and I opened and cleaned it a bit afterwards) nice strong machines for the 60euro I paid for it a few yrs back

 

[vas]

How does a pressure washer reduce water consumption? I would have thought the opposite.

definitely does, lower amount of water pressurised and coming out of a small nozzle does wonders for cleaning. Beginning of the season I cleaned the whole boat from the grime that had gathered over the winter in port with just under 150lt of water (was using my tank- no pillars where I am)

 

[Ribtecer]

I've got a Bosch Aquatak 125, and I think it's a great little thing.

Light, powerful and with 3 settings on the nozzle.

 

[Stemar]

We've had a Nilfisk, something like this, Nilfisk C 110.7-5 X-TRA Compact Pressure Washer, for years. Nothing fancy, it just does what it says on the tin. Would 1400w be too much for your inverter?

 

[rotrax]

I have NEVER used a pressure washer on the topsides. A hose with a 'squirter' end and a home made stiff brush on a stick does for me. Our pro polish has lasted four seasons and is still good.

The polisher reccomended fresh water only, no pressure washer. I believe he was correct.

When I tell enquirerers how old our boat is-2007-they are often incredulous. They think it is a far newer boat.

 

[penberth3]

I'm happy with my Henry for most things but weight and shape/size not ideal for confined spaces.

This one caught my eye recently in the Toolstation catalogue it looks like a compact unit. You'd probably want too add a longer flexi hose.

 

[Stemar]

I have NEVER used a pressure washer on the topsides

I do, but with a lot of caution. A friend had a few holes in his gelcoat after over-enthusiastic jetwashing.

 

[Wansworth]

I do, but with a lot of caution. A friend had a few holes in his gelcoat after over-enthusiastic jetwashing.

 

[WoodyP]

Whatever you choose get one with a long enough hose. 5m is not enough so you end up dragging the thing about after you.

 

[Seastoke]

Whatever you choose get one with a long enough hose. 5m is not enough so you end up dragging the thing about after you.

Does not the lack jet hose , Mark the white gel coat.

 

[Irish Rover]

Does not the lack jet hose , Mark the white gel coat.

If you're using the washer for other jobs as well, you definitely need to clean the hose before bringing it on board. This purchase will live permanently on the boat.

 

[Irish Rover]

Whatever you choose get one with a long enough hose. 5m is not enough so you end up dragging the thing about after you.

That's why I want a smaller more portable unit, and I'm grateful to @Baggywrinkle and others for suggesting the easier to carry horizontal type.

 

[Poignard]

I bought a small Parkside pressure washer from LIDL..

Light and easy to carry.,and very effective for cleaning boat and car but without causing damage.