You're not going to see alot of difference in those models, so you may as well get a 14'. You're not going to get a real noticable difference in sportiness unless you drop down to a 13 footer or 12 footer.

My 14' maravia R2s like a champ... but then it's a stiffer boat than any of those hypalon rafts you listed.

I agree with Jed. When I was guiding, our best rafts were old selfbailing 13' Hysides. Bombproof. We got these new NRS 14 footers and had to replace handles and footcups all the time. They looked prettier, but just weren't as good. I want to buy a raft in the next ~year or so, and if I could find one of those old gray Hysides, I would buy it in a second.

Jed and Fish are both authoritative and qualified in their opinions, it goes without saying.

I agree with Fish that you may want to go with a 13' boat- but width would be the primary concern of mine. The smaller boat generally being more narrow for those tights squeezes. A 13 footer would suit you best if you plan on paddling up the scale frequently (class V).

Then again as Jed pointed out, you will be hole bait more often, so then you'll have to deal with those limitations when you get onto highwater runs.

I loved guiding on the E boat in Montana (Aire). With the pointy bow and high "poop deck", it really performed like a hardshell kayak more than any raft I've paddled since.
The PVC/Bladder thing they got goin on is a good idea, durability wise. some people complain about the floor design and the way it absorbs water because it is heavey when you pull it out of the river to carry it. But this water in the floor is designed to provide a sort of ballast that relaly minimizes flipping. I think it has its merits.

Other than that I'm a new convert to Sotars. I never really ran Sotars till last year on the White Salmon, and I was impressed by their design and construction. If you are going with a new Sotar, you may want to really do your homework because you will have a surprising array of options. In fact, it would be worth talking to me or Jed about the Sotars that All Adventures Rafting uses for their WS operation. They were custom built to buckle less than most other rafts on the river, specifically for running Hussum Falls.

Never was a fan of the Hysides. And not just because the name sucks ("yeah get ready folks- we'll be High Siding all the way down the river with this sh*tty raft"--just kidding they aren't that bad.) They are sticky. so they tend to get hung up on low water runs in a way that Aires and Sotars won't. Really I just didn't like the shape of their boats, or the way the interior is outfitted (where the thwarts attach and how spaced out they are-- for R2 action you'll want to consider where your thwarts need to be.)

One thing's for sure- you'll want to start buying your 303 lovejuice by the gallon! Armorall that bitch up frequently and it'll last you a long time and even slide over rocks better!

Another good option for the money would be the 13' Aire Tributary... surprised Slickhorn didn't mention that since he has the 12'. Or maybe he now knows something I don't, but those Tributaries seems like nice damn boats for the $$$.

http://www.aire.com/aire/products/default.aspx?id=221

SOTAR!

Sawyer paddles makes great wood whitewater rafting/canoeing paddles.  Get a nice wood stick for yourself! 

Buy cheap Carlisle paddles for your crew

you want a 13' aire for sure and for creekin you want the E. the rocker on it roles over ledge holes like know other and at the same time i am able to take a herd of cattle over husum with out getting my hair wet. i have riped three holes in my pvc and not once had to stop a trip to fix a hole. im still undecided over the sealed and unsealed floors. i think carrying water in my floor helps keep a seal with the river that has kep my boat up right when it shound not have been. DO NOT BUY A GREEN BOAT, we have found white and red dont over heat like green, nothing over heats like green.

good chance ill be in leavenworth this weekend if you want a demo

For me and the masses.

Give me the big break down on Sotar vs Aire. They are both PVC boats, they both don't flex like a hypalon but what is the differences and why would you go with either one?