Camping Gas in Scotland/Ireland

[boatmike]

Planning to go north this summer. Usual cruising is south and due to the availability of Camping Gas in France I am set up for this and only this. Just reading pilot books though it seems it is not generally available north of the border and Calor is the standard. Is this true? Should I be carrying both or is CG actually OK still? Any intelligence from our Scottish Cousins? (Irish experience also welcomed)
Thanks in advance......

 

[webcraft]

.
Camping Gaz is available pretty much everywhere up here, never been unable to get it.

- W

 

[Gordonmc]

I have never been aware of it being an issue. I bought Gaz from the chandler in Troon for some reason lost in the mists of time. I also used to carry Calor and Macgas regulators just in case I had to change over.
Then I converted to alcohol.
Anyone want empty gaz, calor and macgas bottles now cluttering my garage?

 

[Quandary]

Camping Gas

You will get Camping Gaz in marinas both inside and outside the Clyde but as you go further North or West it can only be found in some caravan parks, that is why we switched, as Calor is available everywhere and about half the price. For instance Camping Gaz is not available anywhere in Ullapool but we did eventually find a bottle by rowing ashore to the caravan site opposite Isle Martin.

 

[webcraft]

.
On the way North it is definitely available at Oban and Tobermory, and is now stocked in Ullapool according to the Camping gaz website (North West Outdoors). It is also available at Lochinver.

Slightly off the beaten track it is also available at Kilmelford and Balvicar.

Anyone else know anywhere else you can definitely get it?

- W

 

[Spyro]

.
On the way North it is definitely available at Oban and Tobermory, and is now stocked in Ullapool according to the Camping gaz website (North West Outdoors). It is also available at Lochinver.

Slightly off the beaten track it is also available at Kilmelford and Balvicar.

Anyone else know anywhere else you can definitely get it?

- W

I know I get mine at a caravan dealer, significantly cheaper than the marinas. Why is that?
Apart from the marinas on the Clyde you can get it at Arran Haulage yard about a mile North of Brodick.

 

[Quandary]

.
On the way North it is definitely available at Oban and Tobermory, and is now stocked in Ullapool according to the Camping gaz website (North West Outdoors). It is also available at Lochinver.

Slightly off the beaten track it is also available at Kilmelford and Balvicar.

Anyone else know anywhere else you can definitely get it?

- W

Perhaps they have a bottle now, or a virtual one on their website; having cruised the area with only Camping Gaz in 2008 and again in 2009 we tried to check availability in each harbour because our gas locker was custom fitted for two bottles of the stuff and we were reluctant to change it. (Anyone want two stainless steel Camping gas bottle holders with straps, only two seasons use?)

 

[fmoran]

Camping gas is not a problem in Scotland. However be aware that the Calor gas containers and fittings are different in Ireland. I sail out of Largs and have Calor gas and took Camping gas as a backup when going round Ireland in 2009 with the relevant attachments. In the event I did not need to change over as got my UK Calor containers refilled at the Calor gas depot in Cork - you will need a car to get to it. My 3 previous boats had Camping gas and have done all the West Coast and Islands of Scotland without a problem.

 

[Finbar]

Camping Gaz is generally available in Ireland. Most Marinas will stock it, and failing that, its worth trying the local hardware store. Mind you sailing up the West Coast it is as well to fill up with diesel and water and carry a spare Gaz bottle as there are no marinas between Dingle in Kerry and Fahan in Lough Swilly except Kilrush if you go into the Shannon Estuary. If stuck you can sometimes tie up to a fishing pier for diesel, but sometimes they are only supplied by tanker, and not interested in small quantities.

 

[webcraft]

Perhaps they have a bottle now, or a virtual one on their website; having cruised the area with only Camping Gaz in 2008 and again in 2009 we tried to check availability in each harbour because our gas locker was custom fitted for two bottles of the stuff and we were reluctant to change it. (Anyone want two stainless steel Camping gas bottle holders with straps, only two seasons use?)

A bottle of Camping gaz lasts us two to three weeks when we are living on board, but then we only have a twin hob and grill. Ovens are probably a lot more extravagant.


- W

 

[Quandary]

A bottle of Camping gaz lasts us two to three weeks when we are living on board, but then we only have a twin hob and grill. Ovens are probably a lot more extravagant.


- W

I think my aversion to Camping Gaz goes way back to the early eighties when we cruised with our then young family in a Trapper 300 with room for only one bottle. We ran out in Tavyallich, sent wife and nine year old son ashore in the dinghy in a heavy onshore blow at Castle Sween, because the anchor would not hold, tried again at Crinan and Gigha where we had to wait another two days before getting across to Larne where we got a bottle. Of course they all had Calor. Nearly a week of wet and windy west coast July weather without hot food or drink except when we managed to get ashore to a restaurant.
So it might have made me a bit cautious about having enough gas for a week on board.

 

[JayBee]

(Anyone want two stainless steel Camping gas bottle holders with straps, only two seasons use?)

Yes please.

pm sent

Jaybee

 

[boatmike]

Thanks everybody for input. I am coming to the conclusion that calor would be a useful alternative to carry on board, especially as it seems to be much cheaper. I expect to be away about 3 months and using calor I would probably save quite a bit regardless of availability I guess..... The Camping Gas decision was originally about availability in France. I have a couple of old 15Kg bottles I used to use in a "super ser" heater in the garage. Too big to carry on board but I might try trading them in for smaller ones. Anyone comment what size Calor bottles are most commonly used/available? Also a bit more detail on Irish ones being different would be useful. Don't see why they shouldn't be interchangeable. Are they really not?

 

[oldvarnish]

Thanks everybody for input. I am coming to the conclusion that calor would be a useful alternative to carry on board, especially as it seems to be much cheaper.

Be aware of the difference between propane and butane. Butane burns hotter, but 'freezes' when the outside temp gets below zero. Propane doesn't.
In the US I was forced to use propane because butane is not available and wondered why the kettles took ages to boil and toast never went brown.

I got a good tip from a US yachtsman - never buy regulators from a chandler. The ones in the barbecue sections of the supermarkets are the same, and a fraction of the price. I found this to be true.

 

[fmoran]

The Irish Calor bottles are taller (and maybe wider), so will not fit into a gas locker designed to hold UK Calor bottles. Also the fitting on the neck of the bottle will not take a UK regulator, so even if the locker is big enough you will need to change the regulator. That said Calor is a LOT LOT cheaper ( like 1/3 the cost) than Camping gas and the 7lb bottles last for weeks. I was able to find all the information ahead of going round Ireland on Google and plan accordingly.

 

[skyemark]

It is stocked by Isle of Skye Yachts at Armadale, Sound of Sleat in 907 bottle sizes only.

 

[Quandary]

Thanks everybody for input. I am coming to the conclusion that calor would be a useful alternative to carry on board, especially as it seems to be much cheaper. I expect to be away about 3 months and using calor I would probably save quite a bit regardless of availability I guess..... The Camping Gas decision was originally about availability in France. I have a couple of old 15Kg bottles I used to use in a "super ser" heater in the garage. Too big to carry on board but I might try trading them in for smaller ones. Anyone comment what size Calor bottles are most commonly used/available? Also a bit more detail on Irish ones being different would be useful. Don't see why they shouldn't be interchangeable. Are they really not?

4.5 kg Calor is universal, marinas, filling stations, hardware shops etc. 7kg. which we use, is less common, but lasts us about 3-4 weeks, eating one meal out about every second or third night.
Been out to the garage with a tape. Both bottles are just under 250mm. dia. (about 20 mm. wider than 2.5kg. Camping Gaz). The 7kg. is 495mm high and just fits in our locker, the 4.5kg. is 350mm. high.
Because our gas locker is only just wide enough for 2 Camping gaz bottles, we can carry only one 7kg. Calor in there, but we put one of the redundant C. Gas bottles in a plastic paint bucket in the anchor locker as a backup, though this would mean a regulator change.

 

[stevepick]

Camping Gaz

Gaz is available in mallaig and arisaig. Also got a bottle in castlebay - the "gas" man on barra usually keeps a bottle or two. We usually carry 2 bottles (907 size). Whilst it might be true that gaz availability becomes more difficult the further north or west you go, everything becomes less "available" the further north or west you go . We stopped a night with Arisaig marine after getting storm bound on Rum for several days with a dwindling gaz supply. They didn't have any bottles at the boatyard office when we checked in , but 2 bottles were sitting on the step the next morning. I think Gaz is fairly widely stocked because so many camper vans come north from the continent. So it is around, and my experience is that folk in the hebrides are unfailingly helpful in getting stuff to you. I don't plan on switching my boat to calor, and we sail out of oban with regular trips north.

 

[awol]

I have heard tell of those who have made up an unregulated but stop-cocked connection for joining Calor to Gaz bottles. With the Calor upside down liquid can flow from one to t'other. A very similar process to filling a lighter from a Ronson butane can. I believe a little venting of the Gaz bottle to ensure liquid does not make it into the regulator before reconnection is a wise action.
While such activities reduce the cost of filling Gaz bottles considerably, they are unlikely to be sanctioned by any authority and certainly should not be carried out anywhere other than a wide open space away from boats or anything else and only by those who carry adequate life assurance. I certainly cannot recommend this course of action though if the choice is cold Lidl's chili con carne then .....

Warning

• LPG requires heat to gasify and will freeze your fingers

• LPG is heavier than air and will lie in wait in any suitable receptacle - like your bilges - waiting for a spark

• LPG mixed with air stoichiometrically (or close to it) can make a very BIG bang.

 

[DaveS]

I use Camping Gaz and my problem is the opposiote. I always end up with more unused gas than I would prefer. Average usage of 1 2 week summer cruise + 5 - 6 weekends = about 1 football sized CG cylinder (not sure of size). So mot years the unused gas is an embarrassment.