Bones

I wasn't doubting it, I was just wondering whether there was enough access to unweld it/get it out. The baffle plate got in the way on another stove I had so i removed it which is why I wondered about removing it permanently. Sounds like that is unlikely (you would know as it is your stove and you can see it!). It was just a suggestion. (Ipad doesn't do smileys)

Ah, stuck with the baffle plate is a shame. I thought you may be able to get a gadget in there and extract it which would make it a hell of a lot easier to clean.

Are you saying the clinker is down to the non smokeless fuel? Is the baffle plate necessary? I ask because on my old boat I took it out.

I LIKE that idea!

That is what I am going to do with mine next time it cracks.

Hurrah!!!

I was planning on being on the boat around then and there so I will see you there no doubt!

I didn't see the 10hours for a day in there and if it was edited out then that makes sense. Either way, I hope the OP finds someone who will do such a mixed bag of jobs and finishing off the way someone else does it rather than doing it their own way. It could be a stressful bit of pocket money on both sides, but I imagine they have thought that through and still consider it worth the punt of trying. If one doesn't ask, one doesn't get... Discussion of cost is irritating (but then so is all talk of money to me) but discussions about legislation, potential dangers and awareness of the sorts of work that could cause trouble are potentially useful if the OP hasn't already thought about it. All the jobs look fairy straight forward except the two main ones...the gas and the heater....I wouldn't trust anyone other than a professional with the insurance and paper work in place to do that. I have seen some interesting electrical installations on boats so i wouldn't let just anyone do that. On another note one of my siblings lives in a house and has been regaling me with the wonders of a 'man that does'. A good all rounder that can put their hand to the many odd jobs that arise. It seems to me that there aren't that many people like that who work on boats.

my friend has been running his stove for a few years with no fire bricks. Do fire bricks really protect the stove? Does metal need protecting?

Never intended to be moorings? Is everywhere that becomes a mooring intended to be? Anyway, I thought that land was actually private and thus riparian rights apply. If the owner lets them more there then they can more there.

I know several people who would work for £150 a day on the grounds that is is money and they need it.I know several people that would not get out of bed for £150 a day but that is because they are lazy. I know some people who wouldn't work for £150 a day because they simply don't have enough hours in the day to do so. I would work for £150 a day but I don't have enough skills or time and my holidays are too precious to work through. My sister would work for less than £150 a day but she isn't here. ...and.....the OP never said how long a day was. If that is the price the OP can afford and is prepared to pay then so beit . There are people who would work for that, whether the OP can find someone is up to them.

I agree. I am sure I read that fire bricks don't need to be replaced unless they are crumbling. I have a morso so i would have been looking at their website/questions and answers. I got the distinct impression that cracked is fine but when they aren't doing their job any more they should be replaced.

which is private land....?

I didn't know about pilot holes in those days. I LOVE my chest brace drill. LOVE!!!! It took ages. I was not impressed....but it kept me out of trouble.....

I don't think it was very sharp. I only spent a few hours each evening of fun and frolicking before crawling down the pub for sympathy. Actually - I bet it was sharp! My arms might have been a bit blunt but I am sure the 8mm drill bit wasn't!

it took me two nights to hand drill through 6mm steel......

he/she wouldn't have to look..... That is the perfect solution. Our friend can weld a bracket on. BUT even so - how would they attach the bubble tester to the bracket without any tools.. could that be welded to it as well? I am assuming that if glue is no good then tying the tester on with string/cable tie/hankerchief would not be an option...!

I hope it doesn't involve a controlled fire in the gas locker because I dismissed that on the grounds of it being too risky.

I wish you hadn't said that! It is making my head go all squiffy - it makes me want to come up with something akin to wiring up my fruit bowl to make electricity... electricity out of fruit, welding without a welder.. it must be possible.... but it has to last - so dissimilar metal corrosion wouldn't work.

I, for one, am looking forward to seeing how you attach this tester without any manual tools or a drill. A piece of wood glued up seems quite a good suggestion to me and quite a good answer - and certainly better than your suggestions. It solves the problem and then if you ever find yourself in the good fortune to borrow tools you will be able to attach the bit of wood with some bolts should you feel the need. The problem with not having equipment is one has to compromise. You might have to make some compromises or get the tools. A piece of wood in the gas locker is 'probably' safer in the event of a fire than a bit of hose carrying gas is (as someone already pointed out). You could cover the wood in high temperature sealant/paint to help protect it if you are that focused on the wood catching fire (which would be the least of my worries). Or just keep on asking the same question and getting the same answer and hope that a butterfly in spain sends ripples to fasten the gadget to the locker in a way that suits you...

That's alright then as it is meant to stop it going to the interior of the vessel. So, as long as your plugged up hole that isn't a hole isn't on the bit that goes to the interior of the vessel, the hole that isn't a hole is alright after all. Here is another solution - remove the entire gas system! Problem solved.