Submarine boilers

[PalCabral]

This beautiful boiler managed to find its' way to my stream. I've seen similar on Alan Bishop's channel and I am aware it's a modern version of the old moonshine submarine boilers with a wooden side. These ones seem to be very rare. Maybe the rarity is for a good reason? This particular object goes for 1000 bucks at 20g, which is pretty expensive, at last in my book.

So what would be the pros and cons with a boiler this shape? The flat oblong shape should, I guess, speed up heating? Maybe it would promote a more rolling boil? It certainly takes less space being so low, easy to transport in the trunk of a car or packaged below a table/bed (if that would be necessary). For me personally, the size/shape makes it attractive. What other benefits can you see?

The negatives must be cleaning it. This object has a 6 inch man way but the shape makes it harder to reach when you want to hose it out. Not sure I would want to run solids in it. Alan Bishop talks about scorching but I believe it was when running with solids. Other cons?

Does anyone on the forum use one of these, or has used?

Couldn't a similar boiler be built in copper? I think a copper submarine, no wooden side, would look awesome. And it should be easy to build, no? (please note I know virtually nothing about building anything, copper or SS).

Submarine boiler.jpg