Grain of salt disclosure:  I hate hauling tons of gear and setting up elaborate camps with every comfort.  I would rather eat bagels, ramen and pitas.  I don't drink and don't even take a cooler on trips if I have a choice.  I'm more of a backpacker that happens to raft instead of walk.  I'm no MF expert with secret insider info, but I do yak and raft and take a couple multi day trips a year with a huge variety of groups.


Have a permit for this summer and planning a trip w/ some buddies June 24 and Was hoping i could get some questions answered..

1.Creek boat or playboat (we're class IV/V boaters)  
There isn't much play, and even less with eddy service.  Playing is really down the list of enjoyable things to do.  However, the water shouldn't be very challenging to a true Class V boater so if your playboat is comfy- go for it.

2.Rental shop for kayaks and oar rigs. Will fly into boise but not sure what rental car will be like.  
Blackadar seems to be the ticket.  they know what they are doing.
BSU is an option as well out of boise.  You will have to know what you are doing.
Renting a U-haul trailer might be an economical option.  
Given the distance and expense you are incurring going with a full setup from one place is probably the best way to avoid stress and get it right.

3.Will shops drop rafts and pick them up at putin/takeout?    
Blackadar had been very accomodating to trips, call them

4. Book recommendations about M.F and planning a trip.  NO.  I don't own one.  Maybe I should.

5. About how many people's gear can a 13-14' oar rig carry if were packing,eating& drinking moderately  
Assuming the people are kayakers not carrying anything- and you don't go bonkers on beer and dutch ovens:  4+rower's.  If they are passengers on said raft then 2-3+rower on a 14.  some companies run stern frames with gear in the middle and 2 paddlers up front for all their boats.  Ultimately this is a function of how much junk you bring.  Do you require a propane fired shower?
Second is the impact factor.  If you have 14 people in 14 rafts you are just creating traffic.  3:1-5:1 is good to go.

6. Shuttle companies?  
I've used http://www.rivershuttles.com/shuttles.html .  Pretty painless.  They even fixed my flat tire once.  Honest enough to leave the $$ I accidently left sitting on the console.

7. I'm a solid boater and can obviously read water well and have rafted some but never oared, how challenging would it be to oar a rig in late june for someone w/ my background???

You should do some rowing first.  the water isn't super big and scary but does require some moves.  It would be really unpleasant to dump and lose gear on day 1.  Raft line tend to be different than yak lines.  It is an adjustment for me to go back and forth.  You can't just eddy out and chill and you can't change yor mind and 'go left' after center goes awry.  setup and nail the line.  when you plan to make a move go early and go hard.  if things go bad spinning and going with the flow can overcome a host of errors.  fighting hard to stay on plan A no matter what is the cause of many flips.  get a few days in the captain's chair, stop to scout, know your limits and you'll be fine.


8. Any must stop and see spots along the river? (i'm sure they are everywhere..)  
Everywhere seems worth exploring.  It is hard to go wrong but the guidebooks should help.  be flexible.  If somewhere is packed cruise on by.  There's another awesome spot around the corner.

7. Any other suggestions/advice?  if you don't pack a pile of gear you have time to hike and explore more.  Taking 2 hours to pack up kills the mood for me. I'd rather be floating, hiking and soaking than fixing, Hauling and strapping.