Replacing a Favell Vanessa Cooker...

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dave_gibsea

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Hi,

Just had a survey done for the insurance and it seems our trusty Flavell Vanessa hob/grill is "recommended for replacement" as it doesn't have FFD (flame failure device). Insurance say all surveyors recommendations have to be followed so sadly the Vanessa has to go. It seems my only option is to fit a Tasman 4500 hob/grill. There isn't enough room for an oven.
Has anyone done this swap and /or are there any other options? I'm a bit worried the Tasman will fit in the gap as its 12mm wider. Boat is a 1989 Gib'sea 76

Thanks, Dave
 
There used to be a few that would fit. What about AquaMarine Neptune 4500 2-Burner Cooker | Force 4 Chandlery ?

Have you shown the survey report to the insurance company ? If not I would get the surveyor to reword the report to remove 'recommended for replacement'. The cooker was compliant when fitted and the rules about FFD only apply to new cookers / installations.
 
Boathook said:
There used to be a few that would fit. What about AquaMarine Neptune 4500 2-Burner Cooker | Force 4 Chandlery ?

Have you shown the survey report to the insurance company ? If not I would get the surveyor to reword the report to remove 'recommended for replacement'. The cooker was compliant when fitted and the rules about FFD only apply to new cookers / installations.
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Agreed: unless the surveyor thought there was anything actually faulty with the cooker the surveyor should have made a "suggestion" rather than a "recommendation". If a surveyor "recommended" a boat hull be repainted pink an insurer would offer cover only ".... if all recommendations were carried out", with not the slightest variation in the boat's seaworthiness or insurabilty.
 
We lived with a Vanessa for twelve years in our then Sadler 29. It was a handy little cooker which gave no trouble. It is perfectly possible to use one safely if one is disciplined enough. The trouble is that I don't think it can be ethical for any of us to recommend keeping it, whatever the surveyor's report, even though I wouldn't lose any sleep knowing that you had kept it. I think what I am saying is that it is up to you to decide.
 
Boathook said:
There used to be a few that would fit. What about AquaMarine Neptune 4500 2-Burner Cooker | Force 4 Chandlery ?

Have you shown the survey report to the insurance company ? If not I would get the surveyor to reword the report to remove 'recommended for replacement'. The cooker was compliant when fitted and the rules about FFD only apply to new cookers / installations.
Click to expand...
I just bought a Neptune 4500 to replace the aged "Vanessa" in my Moody 29. As far as I can see it is exactly the same size. Can't say anything else about it as it doesn't arrive until tomorrow!

By the way, it's £20 from Marine Superstore.
 
mikefleetwood said:
I just bought a Neptune 4500 to replace the aged "Vanessa" in my Moody 29. As far as I can see it is exactly the same size. Can't say anything else about it as it doesn't arrive until tomorrow!

By the way, it's £20 from Marine Superstore.
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If you got a Neptune 4500 hob oven and grill for £20 you got a remarkably good deal or else what arrives will be far from what you are expecting.
.
 
dave_gibsea said:
Hi,

Just had a survey done for the insurance and it seems our trusty Flavell Vanessa hob/grill is "recommended for replacement" as it doesn't have FFD (flame failure device). Insurance say all surveyors recommendations have to be followed so sadly the Vanessa has to go. It seems my only option is to fit a Tasman 4500 hob/grill. There isn't enough room for an oven.
Has anyone done this swap and /or are there any other options? I'm a bit worried the Tasman will fit in the gap as its 12mm wider. Boat is a 1989 Gib'sea 76

Thanks, Dave
Click to expand...
If you are going to fit the standard gimbal/rail assembly this increases the width and height. I made my own rails and re-used part of an existing gimbal bracket for one side and a new fixing for the other. If interested pm me, i may be able to get some photos/sketches .
 
I fitted the new cooker to the gimbal and rail system of the old cooker, having found that the gimbal and rail system with the new cooker were just to wide to fit easily. Stainless so still in good condition.
 
You should have a great time with the new oven. I replaced my old Flavell Vanessa hob/grill over 10 years ago with the 4500 and it is still in brilliant working order. just used it today to make a cup of coffee whilst doing boat work.

We have used it for Steak pies, pizza's, roast potatoes, and had great results from the grill and hobs.

Best bit of kit i bought for the boat.
 
Our trusty Neptune cooker has finally given up the ghost, a combination of rust & old age has done for the burners.
So theres me thinking, Just go & buy another.
Leisure products webite is still up & running with a great long list of stockists (They wont deal with the public)
So Seamark Nunn in Felixstowe had some in stock so i order a new one online, Phone call in the afternoon, "We have just had a run on those & sold the last three yesterday", "Dont know when if ever they are going to be available".
A trawl round the list of stockists finds the Neptune has been renamed the Tasman & there is not one cooker in stock anywhere , Not even from Force 4, Marine superstore, ASAP supplies, nobody.
Ebay, i find a supplier that says they have some but on phoning they havent.
Popped into Dauntless yacht centre & Andrew helpfully checks with Plastimo, "Discontinued model"

After much googling i find a similar two burner hob unit made by CF Parker that will fit but that also appears to be out of stock.
By now im thinking Im going to have to commit major surgery to the galley to find a poxy cooker that will fit it.
Arrrgh!
Most camping ones now have cartridges & are too wide Anyone know of a source for a replacement cooker width 450mm?

I think its a sign of the times, combination of low sales, non availability of parts & thats the end of a decent product.
 
Off to one side.... Way back there was a big problem in Portugal with cookers going bang from the oven blowing out when the door closed, then the gas got ignited from a top burner.
So, regs dictated that flame failure devices were manditory on ovens. Prob was, loads of people loved their UK imports, which didn't have failure devices, but never went bang.
I retrofitted loads of UK ovens with failure devices. Quite easy
Maybe not so in UK now? Regs?
 
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