Raft Sizing Advice

[curtisahlers]

I currently have a star slice with an oar rig. My wife paddles a kayak and I carry the gear for local overnights. I am looking to expand my set up to a raft as we have a child on the way.

I'm Looking at buying a NRS otter 140 raft with an oar rig. Its 14x7. I’m looking for a raft that we can use on Ozark overnight trips, but my main goal is to be used on multi day western trips.

Looking at starting on rivers like the Spring, White, Buffalo, etc. I know summer time could be tough with low water, so I will need to watch that. I have seen multiple outfitters who rent 10 men rafts. So how different would that be vs a 14ft raft.

I have thought about buying a 10ft raft for Ozark rivers and then a couple years a larger one for western but I would prefer to buy one since they are crazy expensive.

Does anyone own a 14ft raft and paddle local rivers with it? How is it, like is it do able or way too much boat?

Thanks.