Practical Sailorvideo
The BEST and WORST Boat Washing Machines
5 April 2025 · 8 min · 23K views
What this video covers
Installing a washing machine on a sailboat requires balancing significant power and water consumption against limited onboard resources. Splendide washer-dryer combos often demand high electricity for heating water and drying clothes, with vented models requiring a deck stack and unvented models consuming large volumes of water to create steam.1:24 Some cruisers modify units like the Candy Aquamatic by disconnecting internal heating elements to allow for cold-water cycles, which reduces electrical load.2:52 Wall-mounted mini-washers offer a compact alternative, though they require complex plumbing to a sink drain or overboard discharge and may necessitate a 120-to-240-volt transformer.3:36 Portable, dual-chamber plastic washers provide a low-cost, non-permanent solution that requires no installation, plumbing, or wiring, and they allow for manual water control.5:19 These portable units consume minimal electricity and water, making them suitable for boats with limited tank capacity.6:47 While large residential-style machines function well for cruisers with consistent shore power and water, off-grid sailors often prioritize manual methods or portable units to conserve resources.7:33
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