Washing Machines

[Boracay]

I know that twin tub washing machines are closely related to the old coppers of my deprived childhood but on a boat they might not be too bad.

Anyone tried one?

The Toshiba with a "maximum" of 440W doesn't look too bad...

[Chief Engineer]

I have had the misfortune to have to work on these units.......they may be space savers (?) but the capacity is minimal, the drying times are too long. I'd rather lug around a sack of dirty clothes....to wash on shore....than to spend my fresh water running one of these.

Now if you have a BIG-ASP powerboat.....go for it.

[Lancerbye]

I have the large Splendide vented model that WM sell. Have used it a lot in the past 3 years. Love it. Of course it takes a little longer to wash and dry a load then a big electric or gas dryer but I have done the laundry mat thing and this is way better. It is permanently installed and vented. A queen size set of sheets in less than 3 hours all automatic.

[Chief Engineer]

2 sheets and two pillowcases......

Originally Posted by Lancerbye

A queen size set of sheets in less than 3 hours all automatic.

[Lancerbye]

The Panda 12kw generator I have is not too expensive to run and very quiet. Since it has a lot of capacity, I time my clothes washing during cooking supper,making water,and charging batteries. The stove is also electric. 3 hours a day running the generator. I try to get my money's worth. From no load to max load is not noticable since the generator was a bit over kill but was on the boat when I bought it.

[sarafina]

Originally Posted by Boracay

I know that twin tub washing machines are closely related to the old coppers of my deprived childhood but on a boat they might not be too bad.

how about wasting space? and having to move the wash in the middle and still have to dry em somehow...

wouldn't appeal to me...

[Boracay]

Some possible advantages to a twin tub:-
* from memory they can have an excellent centrifuge. Washing comes out pretty dry.
* Low power usage.
* Low water usage
* Smaller than some other machines
* Lighter than some other machines

That said I'm not the one doing the washing.

I doubt if I'd ever have the power to run a Splendide.

[nikki-m]

In the UK, there are two models that are recommended:
Eumenia EuroNova 1000 Washing Machine (£790) and Zanussi ZWC1300W (£386).
These are just washers, not driers. Both are slimline 3kg models.
Can't comment on their performance, as haven't tried either - yet.

[gbanker]

we had a Splendide Ventless on a previous boat. did laundry in deserted anchorages and hung the wet clothes on a line to dry. worked well in the caribbean. on our recent passage from cape town to the bvi we hand washed and clothesline dried our laundry on calm days.