daveswoodensigns
Member-
Posts
25 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Events
Gallery
Blogs
Store
Everything posted by daveswoodensigns
-
River Medway residential moorings
daveswoodensigns replied to daveswoodensigns's topic in Living Afloat
Thanks -
River Medway residential moorings
daveswoodensigns replied to daveswoodensigns's topic in Living Afloat
Thanks, but that is why I was thinking of Maidstone or Tonbridge as this part of the River is not tidal. I use to live not far from Maidstone, a lovely part of England. Asking as I am not able to get there at the moment due to my 100 year old mother. -
Does anyone know of residential moorings on the River Medway in Kent between Maidstone and Tonbridge.
-
This post cannot be displayed because it is in a forum which requires at least 10 posts to view.
-
Living on River Severn or Kennett & Avon
daveswoodensigns replied to daveswoodensigns's topic in Living Afloat
To all, thank you for your many comments. I guess that many of you will still be puffing out fumes and polluting our rivers and canals for decades to come. Bye bye. -
Living on River Severn or Kennett & Avon
daveswoodensigns replied to daveswoodensigns's topic in Living Afloat
Here is another interesting discussion about some of the latest solar technology. https://www.cleanenergyreviews.info/blog/most-efficient-solar-panels. And what about this. https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/aug/15/uk-firms-solar-power-breakthrough-could-make-worlds-most-efficient-panels-by-2021 Been following these guys for a few years. https://insolight.ch/ The world is changing and these products are available now. Happy reading folks. -
Living on River Severn or Kennett & Avon
daveswoodensigns replied to daveswoodensigns's topic in Living Afloat
"100kWh of batteries is a truly enormous battery bank, far bigger than anything ever fitted on an inland waterways boat, and will cost several arms and legs; to have any chance of charging them and keeping them that way they'd probably have to be lithium." Solar Thames Boats already have this amount of batteries, all be it on a 12.6 widebeam. -
Living on River Severn or Kennett & Avon
daveswoodensigns replied to daveswoodensigns's topic in Living Afloat
Nothing will ever change if we are so negative. Here is another company that is trying to do something to clean up the dirty diesel on our canals. https://www.ortomarine.co.uk/ They are based at a place I use to live. Regarding the 100 KW of batteries I did mean to say 100 kWh, sorry for that. I am not an electrical engineer but I have rewired my own house and have seriously looked into new battery technology for a number of years. I have seen over the years appalling electrical installations by so called professional installers. How some of them ever passed their exams is beyond me. Here is another article that may be of interest talking about how we need to start making changes now to how we use the rivers and canals before legislation overtakes us boaters. https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/news-and-views/blogs/waterfront/a-quiet-revolution Yes, it will mean big changes so please can we all begin to pull together and look forward to helping the next generation of boaters to enjoy what we do. -
Living on River Severn or Kennett & Avon
daveswoodensigns replied to daveswoodensigns's topic in Living Afloat
Have you looked at the company building electric canal boats, you might just be surprised what is available right now. The CRT is making plans to put in electric charging points, they know that is the way forward but as with most organisations in this country, we will probably lag behind the rest of Europe until we are forced to change. May be the very sad and evil events taking place in Ukraine and the fuel situation will make us all think a little more about our futures. -
Living on River Severn or Kennett & Avon
daveswoodensigns replied to daveswoodensigns's topic in Living Afloat
Now that will be the day! All running around on our endless energy 🤣 -
Living on River Severn or Kennett & Avon
daveswoodensigns replied to daveswoodensigns's topic in Living Afloat
There does seem to be a lot of negative thoughts from people on this forum. I appreciate that life on the water is not always wonderful, neither is living on the land. If you look at the history of the canals it was a hard life but some chose to do it. Today, technology is just about changing everything in life. Some new technologies which are being developed as I write, are incredible but a simple life is still possible provided you don't want everything. There are new developments in solar technology which will provide greater output even in winter, not great, but better than what we have now. By the time I move onto a boat these I hope will be available. -
Living on River Severn or Kennett & Avon
daveswoodensigns replied to daveswoodensigns's topic in Living Afloat
Good point, may be not. I was looking on the map at the Thames, not the Oxford. -
Living on River Severn or Kennett & Avon
daveswoodensigns replied to daveswoodensigns's topic in Living Afloat
Funny enough, I was thinking of the Oxford as an alternative. I don't really want to try cover the whole network, just a suitable stretch of canal where I can comply with the rules and run my two businesses. -
Living on River Severn or Kennett & Avon
daveswoodensigns replied to daveswoodensigns's topic in Living Afloat
You may like to look at this company https://thamessolarelectric.co.uk/ Heating and cooking in winter would be by means of a stove or onshore electric link. To be decided. -
Living on River Severn or Kennett & Avon
daveswoodensigns replied to daveswoodensigns's topic in Living Afloat
I was thinking the same about the K&A, now too crowded, but I would like to stay in the south. I am also looking at the southern broads but they have length limits and you can only stay 48 hours on most moorings. -
Living on River Severn or Kennett & Avon
daveswoodensigns replied to daveswoodensigns's topic in Living Afloat
Your right in some points, I have never owned a boat but have been looking at many YouTube channels on living and working on the canals for at least 5 years. Nothing you choose in life is always perfect. I will have enough money to buy a decent ten feet wide beam and have enough knowledge to transform it into an all electric boat. I plan on having about 100 kw of batteries and about 6.5kw solar panels. With diesel engines being cut out in a few years time more boats will go electric, that I have no doubts about. It will only be a mater of time as fuel will become less available and even more expensive than it is now. Living in a building is getting more difficult and expensive and I want a different way of life. I am semi retired but will be working on my boat doing wooden signs and other things too. -
Living on River Severn or Kennett & Avon
daveswoodensigns replied to daveswoodensigns's topic in Living Afloat
What about Stourport to Twekesbury to Stratford- on- Avon and back. Interesting idea, thanks. -
Living on River Severn or Kennett & Avon
daveswoodensigns replied to daveswoodensigns's topic in Living Afloat
No my aim is to ditch the car. Use public transport! Cars and canal boats don't really mix well in my thinking, less stress. My boat, widebeam 60x10, will probably be electric with adequate solar, (6.5 kw) and only moving every two weeks. -
Living on River Severn or Kennett & Avon
daveswoodensigns replied to daveswoodensigns's topic in Living Afloat
How far to the east would you suggest. -
Living on River Severn or Kennett & Avon
daveswoodensigns replied to daveswoodensigns's topic in Living Afloat
Moorings may not be too much of a problem for me as in the summer months I would be up early, 5am and travel for may be 4 hours max, so as others start there days crusing moorings should become available. At least that is what I am working on. -
Living on River Severn or Kennett & Avon
daveswoodensigns replied to daveswoodensigns's topic in Living Afloat
Thought that might be the case, but I will be positive about the situation. -
Living on River Severn or Kennett & Avon
daveswoodensigns replied to daveswoodensigns's topic in Living Afloat
What other canals are there in the south that may have less traffic and a decent number of moorings? -
Living on River Severn or Kennett & Avon
daveswoodensigns replied to daveswoodensigns's topic in Living Afloat
Is that along the whole of the river or just parts of it. -
Living on River Severn or Kennett & Avon
daveswoodensigns replied to daveswoodensigns's topic in Living Afloat
Can I ask why? -
Living on River Severn or Kennett & Avon
daveswoodensigns replied to daveswoodensigns's topic in Living Afloat
Ccing Cc'ing at least from April to end of October.