One of the often said rules in sailing is that if you put "marine" in front of a product, then this automatically increases the price. Therefore, canny sailors seek out supplies in hardware shops rather than marine chandleries and save their pennies. One problem Topaz Rival has in Europe is that its standard gas bottles are of the Calor 4.5kg type. Hard enough to get in the UK, but almost impossible to get refilled in France and Spain where Camping Gaz 2.5kg is the standard. So last year I managed to source an adapter in order to be able to use Camping Gaz with my current regulator and solenoid cut off. We ran out of gas in Guernsey but Camping Gaz was very expensive in Jersey marina at £85 for bottle and gas as I had no empty to exchange. Get them in France was the advice. With a bit of time in Lézardrieux I popped to the hardware store expecting a more sensible price but was shocked to be told it would be €110 for bottle and gas. This seemed excessive, so I decided to wait to get to Roscoff. Here, from a marine chandlery right in the marina I was charged €53 for botttle and gas - less than half price. So there you are - the exception proves the rule...

PS Camping Gaz is still expensive - around €30-35 for 2.5 kg compared to £23 for 4.5 kg Calor. The lowest price so far was €6 for a Calor refill in Portugal, but you have to know where to go!