After our Splendide died in spectacular fashion, we were without a washing machine, wearing the same outfits on repeat. Every passing day meant more dirty laundry added to the pile.

We would not buy a washer/dryer combo again. With the Splendide, the dryer function left the clothes feeling damp. We rarely used it. This time, our priority was to buy something of better quality.

There is a void in the small washing machines that can withstand a marine environment. But, we hedged our bets by buying one of the highest-quality household washing machines on the market, narrowing our search to a Miele W1 model.

But, first we had to be sure the machine would fit our laundry hutch below the saloon table.

Space Considerations: Comparison of the Splendide to the Miele W1

Shipping the Miele from Miami to Grenada

The next step was figuring out where to buy a Miele washing machine, and how would we get it to our boat in Grenada.

Not Under Warranty, but Not Too Concerned

From the get-go, we had to accept our machine would not be warrantied because we brought a household machine into a marine environment. We were not too worried. We knew we would be sailing to places well off the beaten path where there would be no head office or service center.

To arrange the shipment we called a freight forwarding company in Trinidad called Cargo Consolidators. They offer worldwide cargo services, and were able to deliver from Miami to Grenada.

These Are The Cargo Shipments of Our Lives

Our shipment method might seem elaborate but if you own a car, or a pair of shoes, chances are they also traveled by cargo ship. We see car-carrier ships at sea. They look like floating bricks, completely covered to protect the cargo.

Combining a Freight Forwarding Shipment with Another Sailing Family

We ordered the washing machine in February 2021 and it arrived to us in April 2021. The reason it took so long was we kept adding to our shipment and then we thought it would be a nice idea to share a shipment (and the transport costs) with another sailing family who were also in Grenada.

Their shipment became just as elaborate as ours. It was complicated enough to itemize what gear had arrived at the freight forwarders in Miami, let alone determine what family owned what item, and what HS code to assign. Finally, by the time the freight forwarders were given approval to ship, the weight of the order was 698 lbs (317 kg) and the volume was about 80 cu ft. 

Putting the Miele on our Boat

We received the Miele when our boat was hauled out at Clarke’s Court in Grenada. We used a winch and our topping lift (which behaves like a crane), and hoisted the Miele machine up to our back transom. I felt like I was watching my future dangle from a thread. But with a definitive push, the Miele was on our boat. We were relieved to bring it aboard without incident.

Testing the Miele

We were eager to test it out, and see if Miele is better in terms of actually cleaning laundry. So, we put in a manky pillow and hit the Sanitize setting.The difference between the mildew-spotted pillow that went in and the white one that came out was stunning.

Fun Features

Our Miele W1 has the TwinDos system, which means it supplies detergent automatically. It has WIFI capabilities where I can receive updates on the time remaining on my wash cycle. It has a light. It greets me in German.

Are these capabilities over the top for a family on a sailboat?

Absolutely.

But the quality of the Miele machine is unsurpassed. When I close the door on my Miele washing machine it has the sturdiness of a car door. This matters to me. I replaced the door on my Splendide twice in two years.

I use our washing machine at least once a day when we are at anchor. It is a real time saver.

Next blog post in the Laundry Afloat Series: Experiencing Miele’s Top-Notch-Service