A lot fast replies. Thank you all very much. Not wishing to be ungrateful (dont you love that..because you know I am about to be? lol) but, some of the posts do seem a tadge "knee jerk...no one has done this so it can't be done"!
With the increase in both panel and motor efficiency and battery and charging technology I think it IS doable. Granted winter will be diffiicult in respect of solar power but by no means impossible. I am thinking more of cruising no more than 1 or two days a week. Initially from Kings Langley to Uxbridge and return. Then after I am sure that everything is sorted out prabably move onto the Kennet & Avon down to Bristol. My ex is taking kids to Cardiff so a bit nearer is needed for contact. I will have a small back up genset for emergencies.
I intend to have a woodburning stove. In fact I intend to buld my own rocket stove with dual wood/ wood pellet capability. This design Burns more efficiently so it is hotter and cleaner than a normal stove. (I am also probably going to have a play with thermocouple chargers. A few amps charge whenever you have a fire just attach to the chimney)
Thankfully I have an uncle who is a Mech/Eng and he taught me to weld properly. If I cross his palm with a decent pot of tea he will probably do it for me! lol!
This will provide heating and possibly cooking (it will have an oven). But I want an alternatve cooker too.
I understand about LPG but I also want to reduce my monthly outlay (and would rather not play hunt the gas supplier-I spent 6months over winter living in a caravan a few years ago working away from home-never again!) I intend to be a continuous cruiseand solar is (in that respects) free.
My type of work allows me to locum wherever I am.
I also want to take advantage of the CRT deduction for electric boats. Hybrids are not eligible they are also, as said, ineficient.
Batteries are a consumable but I am getting a handle on charging regimes, optimal size of battery bank,etc and so it is something I suspect if done right I should be able to replace on a rolling basis. Not quite sure why batteries in use/charge over winter would degrade that much if stored correctly.
And yes, as said by Richard (RLWP) above, I am getting to grips with the sums!....Sort of! lol! My first effort said small array would power the QE2 my next that a dozen panels on the rrof would let me run a battery radio! LOL! Sort of depends where you put the decimal point! Perhaps I should stop using a pin on the paprer and ask my friend the sparks! LOL!
Beyong propulsion my other electrical needs will be minimal. Electric back up shower? LED Lighting mainly. I dont have a tv as it is. I use a laptop for films or if in the mood a small projector. Otherwise it is pretty minimal and that is in a flat. So really only a fridge/freezer. Not sure on the freezer as from my research they seem rather juicy and the 12 or 24v ones are not really cold enough.
A lot will depend on how much money I have when the house is sold shortly. I may just have get a 2nd hand narrow (I hanker after a widebeam) and live like everyone else with deisal and gas and do it a bit at a time. I will be haunting you all with other questions on kit and if I do get it all together will certainly put up a blog and share. Thanks all. Laurie
The author is American. Their big toploader washers use a phenominal amount of water! Far more than a eu regulated frontloader. I had one for a while it was wonderful. huge duvets no problems! Just real heavy on water and power. These things are ok and I guess 2 mins cranking for a half load (of a frontloader) is better than hand washing in trms of your energy. Also hand washing actually wears out clothes faster. I suppose its the friction.