Kyle,
I am low on garage space (is there a such thing as too many toys?). I store my whole raft hanging from the ceiling of the garage by the frame. I like to keep my tubes inflated with just enough air so that they dont have creases (may cause week spots in the future) You want to make sure they are stored out of sunlight as well... UV is a killer on rubber.

Its a pretty cool setup I've made. My raft sits on a wood frame on the rails of the bed of my pickup, with rope and pulleys at 4 corners I just hoist the whole frame, raft, and works up to the ceiling. Add a little air and I'm ready to fish.

As far as a PFD is concerned make sure you have all your winter duds on when you try them out. I haven't forked out the money for a spendy pfd, so I just use a sterns I picked up at outdoor emporium... tried them all on and found the one I liked best... It's a little bulky in front but has good range of movement.

check out the NRS website for the best money can by, you know, the true whitewater rafting stuff...