GL: Charts-Cruising Guides Lake Michigan to Mobile

[Everett Hopkins]

I'm hoping to cast off in early Fall from Lake Michigan - Illinois River to
Mobile Bay
and up East coast of Florida. Probably won't go farther North of Melbourne
until
the following year. Will be on a sail boat with the stick on deck for most of
the
down river ride.
 
Looking around for charts-cruising guides it seems that there are many
decisions to
be made. What would you consider to be the "must haves"?  Like most of us, I'm
in
worse shape financially than planned on so less would be better. I am a
single-hander
so safety is a top priority as well. Appreciate your input.
                                                                Everett
Hopkins