I wish I could post a photo but will do my best to explain. We had to do gas certificate- plumber remove the new flexi hose (proper marine) from our gas bottle in locker and replaced with copper pig tails to make legal! I queried how long the pipe will last bending and pushing it out the way every time we remove/replace gas bottle - due to shape of locker we can't just move the gas bottle away from the copper pipe. It feels unsafe as surely over time we could get a kink and then a hole in it. The flexi hose looked a lot safer. But he says this is legal requirement. What are other sailors recent experience here in Australia - I'm in Qld- there are apparently new laws. Plumber said it'll last forever bending and moving the copper pipe all the time. Only marine plumber around this area and only one to issue marine gas certificate. Legal or not? Definitely doesn't look or seem safe to me
Definitely a good choice to install the copper tails. Annealed copper will last a very long time and longer than the flexible connector in a marine environment . It's on the owner to test the tails and connection with soapy water at regular intervals and at replacement of bottle(s) too so in theory it wouldn't be an issue anyway if correct procedure is in place. Bottle should be secured to prevent movement as well. My twin tails were in place for over 12 years before needing replacement so they outlasted a gas bottle.
