Circumnavigating the ROCK - Newfoundland

[happy adventure]

Hello all!

I have a 30ft Excalibur steel sloop that i have refit extensively.I am planning to leave Lake Ontario next May,travel down the St Lawrence,thru the seaway to the Gulf. Then around the rock.

Anyone have any experience with the St Lawrence seaway locks with a vessel like this? Costs? Cant seem to get anywhere on the web.

Also am in some quandary about clockwise..Folllow the north shore up to Straits of Belle Isl. Thru then south..Or counterclockwise..North Sydney to Port o Basques, then the southern shore. The rub is Belle isl. Very strong westerlies prevail,and strong westerly currents..Throw in pea-soup fogs and icebergs for good measure. The south shore route is initialy easier,and the prevailing westerly wind should have the breeze of the land most of the time,but then Belle Isl Straits must be faced,probably getting late in the season and everthing in the teeth..probably a lot of waiting for weather on whole trip..Any seafarers out there been there done that at the rock? Or any sage advise from anyone.

Also charts..is there some friendly inexpensive chart dealer out there that i dont know about? Ya know sell me the charts i need,not the ones i dont need,without chomping huge chunks out of my wallet?

Cheers n fair winds BILL s/v ICEBIRD