booke23

As 500 litres has lasted you 2 years, that's just under 5 litres a week. So one 20 litre jerry can a month (on average) is all you need which is not too much of a hardship if you decide to shop around garages in your area. If they ask you to fill in a form asking what you're using it for, heating is a legitimate reason.

I've considered this question myself in recent times and it is certainly cheaper to burn smokeless coal per kw/h of output. As mentioned coal has a much higher output per kg. The government have done some heat output tests and the results indicate kiln dried wood is about 2.5 times more expensive per kw/h compared to smokeless coal. The only way it's cheaper is if you can get free wood.

I'd absolutely agree.

Yeah it would, although it sounds like the OP’s friend has a mooring so presumably 240v is available for immersion heating (assuming the boat has this). Ouch.

Just did a bit of research on current Wallas 87D prices....a shade under £4000. That means a used one will probably make £2000 on ebay, which should mostly cover the cost of a gas cooker and gas installation should the buyer decide the Wallas isn't for him. Although like toilets, I say live with it for 6 months before making any decisions. Sounds like it's a relatively modern boat....so will likely have Webasto/engine/immersion water heating already so gas water heating won't be required.

Although probably supplied by Kuranda, the stove in question is likely a Wallas 87D stove. I had one in a previous boat and I loved it. Very economical and clean as it uses a sealed flame with it's own flue. The oven is much better than a gas oven as it's fan assisted and works just like an electric oven in a house. The hob also works just like an electric ceramic cooker. I used to run the oven as a heater as it was so economical on diesel! I never had any trouble with it although I was not living aboard. The down sides are the hob isn't as quick to heat up as a gas hob, and it does require 12v to operate. IIRC it draws about 8 amps when starting but once it's running it draws only 1 amp or so. They cost an absolute fortune so if your friend decided to sell it and go to gas they'd probably get a couple of grand for it! In summary, definitely not a no no.

Certainly on mine water didn't come out of the grease hole when the screw was removed. I suppose it could depend on the configuration of the water supply hose.....on my boat the intake for it was just above the waterline in the weed hatch so water only went to the gland when the prop was turning. Perhaps the op's intake is below the waterline so the gland is permanently 'wet'.

There was a jet of water coming out of the grease hole? That's distinctly not normal.

This has been extensively discussed here:- And here:-

Well I imagined he was saying "fathers"....although I usually speed up when I encounter clergy, especially if on foot.