Is it OK to just have a black and white printer on board?

[sailingunity]

In about 2 weeks we set sail, and we are in the process of selling all of our stuff. Among that stuff is a black and white laser printer. I had originally wanted to replace it with a color multifunction, so if we're in another country that needs copies of our documents we'd be able to provide those easily.

However I'm reading now inkjet printers may not be the best on board? Is this true, and if it is, would my black and white printer do OK for copies for foreign officials?

[manawatuman]

Inkjet printers tend to clam up after time. A laser toner cartridge will last years even if not used

[UNCIVILIZED]

Why would color documents be important?

[rwidman]

Originally Posted by sailingunity

............., would my black and white printer do OK for copies for foreign officials?

How do you print in white?

[sailingunity]

Originally Posted by UNCIVILIZED

Why would color documents be important?

I don't know, I've never cruised to other countries before. That is the nature of my question, would a black printer be enough? Do customs officials require color? Or do customs officials even need copies?

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[StuM]

Look at the power requirement for that laser printer during startup and make sure that your inverter can handle it (As a planning figure, use 6.5 times the rated wattage - so for a 500W laser printer, you need a 3.25 KW inverter.)

And don't use it with a MSW inverter - they don't like square waves

[FSMike]

Originally Posted by sailingunity

-----do customs officials even need copies? -----

Lol. I'm so primitive and out of touch.
My question would be "Do cruisers even need printers?"

[Paul L]

It is really handy at times to be able to print documents, like a crew list, onboard. B&W printing is just fine. I do make 2 sided color copies of my documentation certificate. This can come in handy when you don't want to leave the original with port authority.

[Dulcesuenos]

In today's day and age it is very handy to have

[manawatuman]

I take photos with my phone camera instead of having a scanner.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by sailingunity

I don't know, I've never cruised to other countries before. That is the nature of my question, would a black printer be enough? Do customs officials require color? Or do customs officials even need copies?

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

As a former IT guy: paper, printers, and printing are the work of the Devil. I only print when absolutely necessary...usually because some bureaucrat requires it. I don't own a printer ashore or afloat.

Printers dont do well in the tropics/salt air, especially when lightly/infrequently used, but almost every port of entry will have an internet cafe where you can print. I just take docs in on a memory stick and print what I need. Normally at the port of departure not entry so Im prepared for entry. I print many extra copies of crew lists and registration. I also keep copies of letter of authorization (boat is owned by a corp), but very rarely need it, insurance, etc. Yet to encounter a port of entry that cared whether color or b&w.

More valuable to me than a printer is a good scanner app on my phone. I use "Genius Scan" which will correct for skew etc and thus allow you to get a good quality scan with a handheld device.

[geoffr]

During our 2 year sabbatical in 07-09 our ink jet printer worked well for us and is still going strong at age 15 or so. We definitely like a printer on board, but as others have noted you don't NEED a printer color or otherwise.

Sent from my SM-G920W8 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[sailingunity]

Originally Posted by geoffr

During our 2 year sabbatical in 07-09 our ink jet printer worked well for us and is still going strong at age 15 or so. We definitely like a printer on board, but as others have noted you don't NEED a printer color or otherwise.

Sent from my SM-G920W8 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

Perhaps the key to inkjet reliability then is frequent use?

[geoffr]

If you don't use an Inkjet for a long time, yes it will clog up... you can sometimes clean the cartridge with alcohol to recover them. (I have done this with our photo cartridge we rarely use). With our printer a month or two with no use was no problem.

[a64pilot]

I had planned on taking an all in one, scanner / printer.
But if you can get by with scanned images on a USB stick, that sounds a lot more appealing.