Ohio R. to the Illinois R. north to Chicago, North on Lake Michigan to Lake Huron south take a left at Sarnia, Ont. and there you are - Lake Erie with all it's wonders to behold! Leave in late May have a wonderful summer sail (lots of motoring too). Try to take as long as possible. 15,000 lbs is nothing to
lift. Almost anything called a travel lift can hoist 15,000.
FYI, The
Mississippi River north from the Ohio is quite scenic (the only scenic part of the whole river) but utterly impossible to reach Lake Erie from any place. Actually you run out of navigable
water in northern downtown Minneapolis. That makes it farther away than from the Ohio River.
You could truck it from any place but it's a lot cheaper to
motor the boat. Could be an exciting trip to boot.