trip planning

Well guys, the time has come to really plan my trip in earnest. The plan is to leave Gloucester, MA, down thru the Cape Cod Canal and then...............????? This is where I need help. If the weather/wind is right, I'll sail as much as I can. If not, I'll reluctantly motor. As I presently have no crew, what would be the best way to get to Cape May with the least amount of wear and tear on the boat and me? How many miles per day should I expect to go without figuratively killing myself? I'm figuring 8 to 10 or 12 hours per day of moving should do it. Of course there might be days when I do less or possibly more. I've read (sometimes re-read tons of cruising/ICW stuff) but would like to hear from someof you who have recently done this trip. The boat is 95% ready, and should be finished (for the present until something else untoward occurs) by the first week in October. I'm recovering from a hernia operation and so I'm only 85% but hopefully will be ready to go by +/- 10/23, weather and Neptune permitting. In advance, thanks for your help. And anyone interested in crewing, please let me know.