A New Washer and Dryer
After several days of work, we have a washer/dryer. It was delivered to the boat and the first chore was getting it aboard. We found several 2 by 4’s, and put them side by side (see picture above), but it was obviously they wouldn’t hold the weight of the box. Luckily, just at that moment, a city crew was across the street spreading mulch. They had the back panel of their truck off, which was a very heavy wooden plank. We asked if we could use it as a ramp to slide the large, heavy box up to the deck. They readily agreed and even offered to help. We never ask anyone we don’t know to help with anything, but we were able to slide it up onto the deck.
Next, Mark had to take out the door molding into the head and a panel next to the door. Unfortunately, all of the screws holding in the molding were stripped. Once that was off, the panel was in so tight that it took multiple of bangs with a rubber mallet to get it out. After Mark wired and plumbed the space in the master head where the washer/dryer would go, we needed our friend Gavin’s help to lift the 148 pound washer/dryer about three feet in the air to get in to the head through the opening. It then slid smoothly into the cabinet. Odd that this cabinet is designed for a washer, yet Mark had to cut holes for the plumbing and electricity lines, and dismantle the door opening. It was not easy, and luckily Mark has the skills to do the work.
Although it’s small, the Spendide 7100 (ventless) seems to be a good model, with plenty of settings and slots for prewash, detergent and fabric softener. It’s obvious, however, that we will be doing small loads, often. Still, using the laundromat here was getting quite expensive, so it will be nice to save all those quarters.
Next on Mark’s “to do list” is to install the watermaker. He claims that this will be much easier than the washer/dryer installation, as it won’t require dismantling anything.