Remove/replace Washer-Dryer stack unit aft cabin 43', 1986 Hatt MY

[sandlapper]

The Frigidaire stack washer/dryer in the aft cabin has died, actually the washers transmission and because of its age most parts are no longer available, at least the transmission. I want to replace it, Problem; how to get the new one in through the doorways?
I can cut the old one up no problem. As I see it here are my options for the new stackable: 1). disassemble the new unit on aft deck enough to get its bones through aft doorway down 4 steps, turn left, down 4 more steps into the aft state room, reassemble-easier said than done ??!! 2). Cut a hole in the aft deck large enough to lower the new one down to the bunk below and go from there, now I have a rather large repair to do. Maybe a new Hatch? There's got to be a better way! As you know the door ways are narrow than the appliance by 2-3". I've looked at the all in one units and they pose the same problems. Well now that I have rambled on, any solutions? Surely someone out there has had the same problem with the 80's washer/dryer. Thanks for any advice

 

[saltshaker]

I don't know the particulars of your boat but if you go with a set of 24" wide stackable units you should be able to get them in without and major work. You may have to remove a hand rail but other wise they should be fine. The front load units are physically smaller but offer larger capacity. Miele makes a great set. Maytag, Whirlpool, LG, Boach all make stackable 24" units that should work. I got a fantastic deal on a Maytag set at a Sears outlet.

 

[Angela]

Although I don't have your model boat, I've had to replace the washer/dryer on my 58MY. The new 24" units did not fit through my doorways - none of them. I had to turn the boat around, take them over the bow railing, take the door handles off of the machines, and shove them down the forward hatch (and Pascal helped!). My washer/dryer lives in the bow stateroom. In order to get them through the forward hatch, I had to remove every piece of teak trim on it, and that was a good time and reason to strip that teak and refinish it. So, if you have a hatch in the room where your washer/dryer goes, measure the raw opening and then see if you can get it down that way, and that's assuming you don't have to go through a doorway once you go down the hatch.

 

[bobk]

There ought to be a few threads here on W/D replacements. You might find some ideas. I thought I had a serious issue on my 48MY, but a good service man recognized it was a drain issue.

Bobk

 

[magnawake]

When you find out please let me know. I have this model boat. Friend, you got a big problem. I have no idea at all. I have a group e-mail of all the 43' MY owners. They have helped me beyond words. I'm sure they will chime in and reply. Luckily my units are still working fine. We use them frequently. In fact we have been traveling the last three weeks and using them all the time. I have often wondered how I'm going to remove them when they die. Another problem is replacing the refrigerator. Can you imagine going through the side window? removing the hand rails also. Thats the only way. Might be the same for the washer/dryer too. I hope I'm wrong.

 

[LUV'N LIFE]

Thru the forward center window.

 

[sandlapper]

When you find out please let me know. I have this model boat. Friend, you got a big problem. I have no idea at all. I have a group e-mail of all the 43' MY owners. They have helped me beyond words. I'm sure they will chime in and reply. Luckily my units are still working fine. We use them frequently. In fact we have been traveling the last three weeks and using them all the time. I have often wondered how I'm going to remove them when they die. Another problem is replacing the refrigerator. Can you imagine going through the side window? removing the hand rails also. Thats the only way. Might be the same for the washer/dryer too. I hope I'm wrong.

Pate,
We replaced the frig a couple years ago just took off the door and slid the box thru the salon door and out the wing door it was relatively easy. I replaced it with a two drawer dual 12v/110 v stainless steel under the counter unit no freezer. I then installed a counter top to match the rest of the galley tops (wanted more counter space). Then built in a cabinet at the top for a microwave. The installation has worked out fantastic. To solve the freezer issue I installed a compact 2.1 cu top load freezer in the salon port side it is built in along with a bookshelf cabinet as one. It was the best arrangement for us as we live aboard and are rigging her for extended cruising in the near future.

As for the washer and/dryer the best way at this juncture is to purchase the same type and dissemble the cabinet and move the bones in. Researching this scenario now. Will post as I move along.....Capt. Tony

 

[magnawake]

I hope you have good luck getting the new one installed. So far our ref/freezer is still working also. I know what you mean about counter space. I have been living on our for 2 1/2 yrs. We dont have a cabinet on the strb side. We do have a great big chair that would get in the way of the freezer. However we do have an ice maker over there. They are a few different floor plans I've seen for the salon. I do like the booth and table layout in that corner. I miss a table from time to time. Most of the time we eat in front of the TV or out on the sundeck. let me know what brand W/D you get.

 

[zeskunkette]

We have a 1986 43' Hatt MY. Our stack washer/dryer needs replacing. It is located in the aft master stateroom. Has anyone actually done this and where did you find the replacement and how did you get it in?

 

[zeskunkette]

The Frigidaire stack washer/dryer in the aft cabin has died, actually the washers transmission and because of its age most parts are no longer available, at least the transmission. I want to replace it, Problem; how to get the new one in through the doorways?
I can cut the old one up no problem. As I see it here are my options for the new stackable: 1). disassemble the new unit on aft deck enough to get its bones through aft doorway down 4 steps, turn left, down 4 more steps into the aft state room, reassemble-easier said than done ??!! 2). Cut a hole in the aft deck large enough to lower the new one down to the bunk below and go from there, now I have a rather large repair to do. Maybe a new Hatch? There's got to be a better way! As you know the door ways are narrow than the appliance by 2-3". I've looked at the all in one units and they pose the same problems. Well now that I have rambled on, any solutions? Surely someone out there has had the same problem with the 80's washer/dryer. Thanks for any advice

Were you able to replace your stack w/d and can you advise us as to how you did it?

 

[bobk]

We have a 1986 43' Hatt MY. Our stack washer/dryer needs replacing. It is located in the aft master stateroom. Has anyone actually done this and where did you find the replacement and how did you get it in?

Before I would remove the unit, I'd get a competent service man to check it out. In my case, a piece of rubber that looked like a joker valve was plugging the discharge hose sending water all over the floor.

Bobk

 

[pizzazsdaddy]

Good Luck on that. I agree, see if you can find someone to fix it first. A hole in the deck may be the only way out or in.

The stackable new replacement Washer/Dryer (GE or Frigidare) is one inch taller than the unit it replaces. (been there, done that).

 

[Walter P]

Several years ago I replaced the stackable w/d on my 1982 48' MY, Guppy. My boat is a sistership to Bob Kassels boat. After lots of head scratching and measuring it was determined that the best bet was to remove the port side salon sliding window. Opps,,, the railing along the gunwale was in the way so we removed it as well. We covered the bottom edge of the alum window frame with a tough cardboard so as to not damage it and got four strong guys, two inside the boat and two outside. While it was a close fit, the important thing is that it did fit and the brand new unit was put into place. Funny thing is that we never bothered to hook up the thing since we no longer do much cruising other than an occasional day trip. Oh well the next owner will have a brand new never used w/d to enjoy. By the way, I was very impressed with Angela's solution to the same problem.

 

[magnawake]

I heard getting a refrigerator into the salon went through the side window too. Problem is, the 43 still has to go through the aft stateroom door. A retired hatteras employee told me they had to take the washer and drier apart to install them. Also put humpy dumpty back together again. He said "you can't imagine how many of those I've taken aprt and put back together". His words. A bad design for sure. So maybe it's just the shell that needs to be removed to fit. A long time ago things were simple so I bet today's new washer and drier would be a real headache to take apart.

 

[dottieshusband]

I replaced my thintwin with the Bosch units. They are a little over 23 inches wide. They were tough to get in, but did fit on my model. I removed the pilothouse door, and hand rails on the steps going down. I'm not familiar with your model, so not sure what you are up against.

 

[magnawake]

The door leading to from the sundeck to the salon is 21 3/4" sad to say. So the good news is the stateroom door 23". So if she removes the hand rail and removes a side window it might just fit. Thats great news. Also as you do all that you might as well replace the refrigerator with a new low energy frost free just for good measure. My luck the frig would go out the next week. Thanks for that info as we might replace ours too.