Navigation Software - Ohio River

[stammster]

I am planning a trip this summer for the entire length of the Ohio River from Pittsburgh to the Mississippi River. (To cross off my buddies bucket list.)

Does anyone recommend a good GPS software (Lowrance) that includes locks, fuel docks, etc. Any other setups I should consider (laptops, iPads, etc.)?

In addition, any insight as to the average lock wait time and lock time? With 21 locks to pass, I want to plan accordingly - as 1 hr vs 3 hr is 2 entire days.

22ft offshore center console catamaran, twin etecs, 300 mile fuel range

 

[bobalong]

Made the stretch from Cincinnati to the Tennessee River several times. Our best friend has always been a spiral bound copy of Quimby's waterway guide. It's hard to get lost on the river, keep er between the red and green and pay attention to the mile markers along the way. Quimby's guide is full of information about where you are, historical significance, points of interest, marina's, locks, phone numbers.
River charts (we always use paper) keeps your crew involved and will give you channel info in case channel marker is missing or just looks wayyyy out of place. It is a beautiful trip BUT some of it is boring, hours of nothing but trees on the bank with the occasional holy crap moment as you make the bend and find yourself staring at a barge. VHF is a must. Cell service is decent most of the way. You can call the lock master about wait times, and marinas for food, fuel info.
I'm not aware of any place on the river that exceeds a hundred miles between fuel stops.
Never exceeded an hour on lock wait times, usually way less. Just depends how jammed up barge traffic is or is not. Usually if you call the lock on VHF they will have the gates open and be waiting on you when you arrive.
Unless a barge is red flagged, you can lock thru with them if the locks are busy. Must ask permission. Never been turned down.
Enjoy the trip.

 

[Robo]

I did that trip for 2 summers working on the barges. Galopolis lock was usually the longest wait, sometimes 3 days but like bobalong said you can lock through with them and not wait. The barges are hard to see at night, just watch out for the front of the tows. They should have a blinking amber light between the nav lights with a small light blue swing light on a pole above it. The barges used radar. Also, at times, there's shut out fog early in the mornings. It's a nice ride, The big cities are beautiful at night.

 

[Lucky Dog]

The Navionics chip is good for the Ohio also, Active Captain has good recent info on fuel, food, dockage and anchorages.