The information provided by Rob Johnson should be helpful. We left Chicago in mid-September 2006 and arrived in Mobile on November 1. Our boat's draft was about 5' 4" and we were able to get fuel and pump-outs in most areas by calling marinas and getting depth reports. The Illinois River was the most difficult. We were able to fuel at Hamms Marina just west of Chillicothe. Diesel but pump-out was not working. We had to make tracks to Grafton to be pumped out. The remainder of the rivers had marinas that were easily accessible. We made it a point to fuel at every opportunity and carried 10 gallons extra in jerry cans. Other publications that were useful were Fred Myers books "Tennessee River Guide" and "Nitty-Gritty Tenn-Tom" We shipped our mast to Mobile. It is expensive but we were able to contact three other boats prior to out arrival in Chicago area. Even 4 masts sharing the truck, each had to pay $925. and prepare the mast for shipping. The marina we used to step out mast was Turner's Marina in Dog River off Mobile Bay. It is next to Dog River Marina. Dog River marina did not have a mast crane and would need to rent a boom truck. Turner's is a sailboat marina and dealership. Very accommodating people. Gerry Hawke -AERIE