GL: When to leave?

[Jim Ague]

> We have a 47' steel tug moored at Tarpon Springs, Florida. What month 
> would be
> the best time to begin the Loop? Expect to take 9 to 12 months. Cruse
> comfortable at 6.5 kts.

Here's one plan:

Apr FL/GA
May SC/NC/VA
Jun Chesapeake Bay
Jul NJ/NY
Aug Trent Severn/Georgian Bay/Lake Michigan
Sep IL/MO (probably way too long for this section)
Oct Tenn-Tombigwee
Nov AL/FL

I would be nicer to spend more time in the Chesapeake, or linger on the NY 
Canal System, or do a side trip on the Rideau, but it is chancy to be on the 
Chesapeake earlier than May and you should be off Lake Michigan by early 
September.

-- Jim Ague