Chick-Chick-Chicken

It is not recommended that a flexi coupling is fitted with the Vetus stern gland. The engine mounts are flexible, the Vetus stern gland is flexible, and any other flexible element in line will make the shaft oscillate.

The retail price is £96.00 including VAT, it's not cheap, but they should last for a fair while. As dor said, check the alignment, that's the most common reason for them failing.

I think you'll find that Mick was the one that told Steve how to do that.

I knew somebody with a Vetus toilet etc, fitted by a boatbuilder, but the builder didn't fit the seals on the tank fittings. All got sorted and they had no problems after that.

A smoking stove usually means a blocked flue. it's worth getting a flue brush or making sure there's nothing stopping it from drawing.

http://www.randdmarine.com/downloads/RandD_Damper.pdf These are drive plates, a well known make that is available at most marinas.

I'd go with the grate polish too, much easier. If you've not done it before, make sure you light a small fire when it's done and be ready to open all doors.

Totally agree with the vent, from what I was told, you'll need a similar sized vent pipe to the pump out pipe. It is sealed and you wont get any smell from it.

A friend of mine had the same problem, she got a Vetus one, they're 1.25", though I think it was less than a KW.

I thought they'd gone bust.

Where do you carry out the "out of water repairs"?