Date: 12 April 2015. Laundry Hauling Made Easier.
© janice142
Besides hauling water out to the
boat, doing laundry is one of those onerous tasks that must be done.
It is definitely not a favorite activity. I have washed my stuff aboard by hand and though that works, it
is not
exactly fun. A bigger boat would allow a washer and gosh there are
times when that sounds just about perfect.
My nickel budget
knows the greater the waterline the more costs incurred.
Doing laundry in my sink is the norm... First I get
the sink clean, then do my laundry.

Washers and driers exist on shore. It
is sometimes
easier to haul it all in and find a laundry. Besides, many
marina laundry rooms are adjacent to the swap shelves for books and
DVDs. Those always interest me! I even found a book to share with a
sailor I know the last time I did my clothes.
Have you ever noticed how much more you can find
when doing a big laundry run? That piece of fabric that keeps the
sun out "might as well" be washed. Ditto the sponge from the galley
sink, the lace curtains and more. In any event when going to shore I
often end up with a big pile.
The last time I went in, this was the result:

All of that needed to be
hauled back to Seaweed. That is too much for my delicate self (stop
laughing) to want to carry. Fortunately I have an old luggage cart. Found in deplorable condition at a thrift shop for $2,
I snapped it up.
Luggage
Carts are Necessary Boater Equipment
Stowing my luggage care is easy. It tucks away
nicely by my step on the starboard side.

Thrift shops are a fun, practical and inexpensive
source of boat gear. You have to hunt for the good stuff. For me, that
is part of the enjoyment. And I like a bargain. Being prepared for
less than pristine condition helps too.
All that said, the savings realized by buying used can
be significant. Paying full freight (retail prices) for certain items
simply will not work on Seaweed. Besides, being frugal in one area
allows me to splurge elsewhere. And this is a challenge I enjoy.
That is why I keep in my
purse note cards: I always have a list of items
that would be nice to have, but not at full retail
prices. See the
3x5 Cards
article for details on my system.
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I am glad to have a rolling luggage
cart aboard Seaweed.
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The luggage cart was initially
purchased so I could easily get my propane tank to shore. The
tank when empty does not weigh a lot but add the propane and it
is
significantly heavier.
I have loaned my cart to fellows
going to make fuel runs. One of the fuel runs netted me that
nifty long bungee cord that I now use to keep stuff from falling
off.
But mostly, since "we're
from the government and we're here to help you" decided my
fiberglass propane tank was unacceptable... Well, I use the cart
to haul laundry.
And yes, the cart could stand
another coat of Rustoleum flat black paint. This is a boat. There
are always things to do.
Stowed, it resides
between my starboard step in the pilothouse and the galley
locker just aft of there. Sometimes it is used frequently and
then for a time not at all.
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A luggage cart is a useful boat item
and prevents back aches too.
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All of that laundry, once washed and folded needs to
come home. Carrying it is not an option -- not if I want to be able
to move tomorrow. And that is exactly where my cart comes into full
value. Heck, I might even go so far as to say it might possibly be worth paying
retail... but probably not!

After a long walk and a vigorous playtime, even
Skipper is ready for her ride home. She's not spoiled, not much at
least. It's times like these that I'm glad my First Mate weighs in
at less than five pounds.
Happy cruising to you and yours.
Have you a rolling cart for hauling groceries and/or
boat gear?
Does yours fold?
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