Converting a bucket to a self bailer can be difficult at best. Finding the right floor is difficult and then doing the conversion has to be exact. Since the bucket was intended to be a bucket, usually when you do a conversion, you end up with water toward the back of the raft. I would save my money and see if you could get a good used self bailer. And guide school is the best way to go unless you have a friend who is willing to teach you how to guide. Bill McGinnis of Whitewater Voyages in California has written a book on river guiding. You might start with that and then get some hands on in guide school. Good luck