I'm kind of surprised I haven't heard about more of you using your "smaller" pontoon boats on rivers. I have an 8' buck's boat that I've taken down the Sky, Stilly, Skagit. In general I've felt pretty safe but I have always worn a PFD and pay close attention to the water and what is up ahead. I'm now thinking I'd like to at least try a longer boat to see how it handles.