Washer Dryer Combo - The good and bad?

[PMC]

As our summer boating continues our new common problem is 'airing out our dirty laundry'. In every effort to keep the Mrs. PMC happy, I'm looking into a washer dryer.

To anybody that has one, what do you recommend? do you use it, does it work well? Ductless vs Duct? This feels like a setup, but does size matter?

 

[JC3]

The wife made me get a boat that had the washer/dryer combo. Also, being we are hopefully going to be part time liveaboards 23 months from now it was a must. It came in very important when we took our boat for a 6 weeks cruise in the southern Bahamas. They are very small but for a boat they work out well. It keeps the wife happy, enough said. JC

 

[searay40dad]

When we're on the boat for extended stays we will use it from time to time to dry towels or wash a couple of tshirts and swim trunks. It works ok. It won't handle much of a load and things take awhile to dry. Just manage your expectations. its the Splendide combo that came in the boat.

 

[Gofirstclass]

I think you'll find that the washer works well but the dryer takes a LONG time to get things dry. We have only used ours a couple of times but found it's easier to bring the damp clothes out of the washer and put them on a drying rack. Once they're almost air dry we put the clothes back in the dryer to spin them dry.

 

[dpmulvey]

Everyone I've seen that is a literal washing machine and dryer built into one unit still has the labels on them. I have friends that have the small stackable apartment or beach condo rental type units in their boats and they use the crap out of them.

If you go that route, screw the energy effeciency garbage. Get a completely manual top load washer with agitator. The front loaders while using less water, do not clean clothes as well and are prone to mold. The stackable units can be completely disassembled for transport and the clearance requirements are nil.

 

[PMC]

Everyone I've seen that is a literal washing machine and dryer built into one unit still has the labels on them. I have friends that have the small stackable apartment or beach condo rental type units in their boats and they use the crap out of them.

If you go that route, screw the energy effeciency garbage. Get a completely manual top load washer with agitator. The front loaders while using less water, do not clean clothes as well and are prone to mold. The stackable units can be completely disassembled for transport and the clearance requirements are nil.

I wish I had the space to use one like that. My only option, is a front loader. Not for any of the 'energy efficient' crap, but more of placement. I'd be stealing a cabinet, and will have a height constraint.

 

[PMC]

I think you'll find that the washer works well but the dryer takes a LONG time to get things dry. We have only used ours a couple of times but found it's easier to bring the damp clothes out of the washer and put them on a drying rack. Once they're almost air dry we put the clothes back in the dryer to spin them dry.

We are hand washing and hanging everything in the bridge (to avoid the tacky look of bocca clips on the bow rails - LOL), but find that its never really dry. Having a dryer is important. Is yours vented, or does it use that condensing ductless technology?

 

[ZZ13]

Ok, I am stumped. Where are you fitting it into the boat, Paul?

 

[PMC]

When we're on the boat for extended stays we will use it from time to time to dry towels or wash a couple of tshirts and swim trunks. It works ok. It won't handle much of a load and things take awhile to dry. Just manage your expectations. its the Splendide combo that came in the boat.

I'm looking into one that Splendide makes (WD2100XC - Vented model). My expectations are not crazy. I understand that we are not doing any of the bedding, but more of the daily towels and wearables.

 

[PMC]

Ok, I am stumped. Where are you fitting it into the boat, Paul?

haha - I know, not much space in the boat. I'm considering removing the 2 draws under the bed. I can fabricate a door to match with the same cherry material.

 

[ZZ13]

haha - I know, not much space in the boat. I'm considering removing the 2 draws under the bed. I can fabricate a door to match with the same cherry material.

Ingenious. I would have never thought of that.

 

[JC3]

Paul, Just remember that the area that is used is going to be a little hotter than the others.
In our boat we close the doors etc... but it still heats it up a little. Good luck, JC

 

[katricol]

The key to the combo is to do very small loads, however you will use a lot of water and it will take a long time to wash and dry. We have taken several long (10) day trips and stopped using the washer, but used the dryer ALL the time for towels mainly. Our unit died a couple weeks ago and I replaced it with the splendide dryer only. The dryer only is the split unit and works way better than the combo dryer. We figured why buy the combo when we never used the washer anyway.(it didn't work well) , and the stand alone dryer works way better. BTW, it's vented and that is the only one I would want

 

[Gimme Time]

Bought a replacement Combo unit last week and would only recommend the vented model. If/when you install and non vented model in your boat plan on spending a lot more energy for cooling the boat as the heat from the dryer is now being dumped into the boat along with all the additional humidity coming out of the dryer. Now you're using electricity to heat the dryer which is trying to be cooled by the AC unit. Great way to work the hell out of your AC. If you get a little hot now with the higher humidity levels outside in the summer time just wait till you dump that humidity from the dryer into the boat. Also not mold and mildew love extra humidity. Vented only way to go.

 

[JV II]

Paul,
We used it daily on the CSR Northeast Floatilla. I would highly recommend it. I bet now that we have one we can't live without it. It works well, but you have to fill it with clothes no longer than half way. We have the ducted one. It is great coming home without a ton of dirty clothes to wash. We can leave the boat clothes and linens on the boat.

 

[AKBASSKING]

Great thread as I also need to add a washer/dryer. So the ventless dryers dumps the air into the cabin?

 

[PMC]

Paul,
We used it daily on the CSR Northeast Floatilla. I would highly recommend it. I bet now that we have one we can't live without it. It works well, but you have to do fill it with clothes no longer than half way. We have the ducted one. It is great coming home without a ton of dirty clothes to wash. We can leave the boat clothes and linens on the boat.

Oh I know....the wives were talking about it, and I now need to make it happen - haha

BTW it was great meeting your family, we had a good time

 

[PMC]

Great thread as I also need to add a washer/dryer. So the ventless dryers dumps the air into the cabin?

I don't think it dries with heat and traditional air movement. Ventless uses a condensing technology, and runs water as its drying....or so i understand it. Somebody that has one, may be able to answer in further detail.