I was wanting to do the America Great Loop but did not want to do the Great Lakes and wanting to save a few miles. Going to Harrisburg PA, trailering to Pittsburg PA and going down the Ohio River would save me over 1000 miles or 1/5 the total distance of the Loop.
Has anybody cruised down the Ohio river?
Cruise books or forums?
If you haven't seen it already, check out this list on the Guide to Cruising Stories site (http://cruisenews.net/db/voyagelogs.php). You'll have to just scroll down and look for interesting ones as they don't appear in any kind of order. I know there are some relevant to Great Loop and I *think* I've seen one on there that was a family in a small boat on the Ohio (going by memory here).
Anyway, that site may be a place to start. Sounds like a fun trip! :)