Hey Backlash, Steelheaders are great boats. What Os meant by at least going up to a 10 ft is the pure water coverage with one. I've run class 4's with my Steelheader also, but you hit a big hydraulic and you'll be tossed around like a cork. The bigger boat you have the easier and safer you'll run rapids. I won't ever sell my steelheader, it's a great boat and so far everyone I've let use it has fell in love with it.

Good luck and I'll agree with Os, if you can afford it, buy top of the line. It's easier to have too much then want to upgrade later.

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you haven't lived til you've rowed a cataraft. Friends don't let friends run Outcasts.