Prime Time has a Splendide Combo-matic 6100 washer/dryer installed in a beautiful locker  mid- way down the companionway leading from the Pilothouse to the Stateroom's level. We THINK that this washer/dryer will be very handy to have on board. We really don't know because it has been broken...probably from the day it was installed! The PO (previous owner) said that they never used it. I tried to use the machine once during the delivery to Texas, and had a flood (OK...a small flood) of water cascading down the companionway. On the right-side of the front panel is a small door that allows the filter to be removed and cleaned. A hose brings wash water into this housing and it exits the rear of the housing and into the drain hose. I looked into this small opening and saw that the hose leading into the filter housing was off and had a big chuck of broken plastic still clamped on. I had identified the problem. Why have I waited over a year to fix this? Simply...it's ALMOST impossible to get this washer/dryer out for servicing.

After removing the nice teak doors and frame, I found the machine fully shimmed in place with long pieces of wood glued and screwed in place. If you look closely at this photo, you can see what I mean. It took me FOREVER to chip away at these shims and FINALLY free the washer/dryer so that I could shoehorn it out of this locker. Now All I had to worry about was trying to FIND where the power cord, hot/cold hoses, and drain were distally attached to Prime Time. I finally discovered a small panel inside an air conditioner blower locker inside of a hanging locker. After unscrewing this tiny panel, I found all of the connections. I'm a big guy, and getting in there  to disconnect everything was almost impossible...but we did it!

I laid a padded piece of plywood on the companionway to create a make-shift stage/platform , and with the help of our neighbor, Anneke and I were able to wiggle the machine out...tip it...unscrew the bottom panel...disconnect the broken housing...install the new one...close everything up...and wiggle the washer/dryer back into place. Today...if I can get my big a** back into that tiny space...I'll re-hook everything and cross my fingers. I love my boat, but this is probably the worst example of design engineering I've ever seen.

UPDATE

It's with EXTREME joy and relief that I can report Prime Time's Splendide Combo-Matic 6100 is operational! We did several loads...very small loads...of wash this weekend with no leaks, fires, or other damage! Is this a perfect washer/dryer...not even close. Will it be a blessing to have while out cruising...you bet! We washed (~60 minutes wash cycle) two sheets and four pillow cases in one load. After a 60 minute drying cycle, the sheets were still damp. Maybe we'll try 80-100 minutes of drying (recommended time in manual) next time. Hey...I'm happy...and MUCH more importantly...Anneke is happy! Now I can crawl back into the "hole" and reattach the 2000 cable ties and 1000 hose hangers...