John, Yes, beaching is done with considerable challenges but if you have outboards and beaching shoes for the wear factor that protects the hull it is more manageable. The antifoulant is subject to wear and of course as Bob mentions there is the migration onto the shoreline that constantly keeps your eye on the weather, tide and wind. One unique boat is the MC30 http://www.motorcat.com/index_mc30.html that has a boarding platform at the bow with what I consider minimal effort to deploy and improves the safety of delivering that cooler ONCE it has been managed over the narrow side decks. We ALWAYS deploy a stern AND bow anchor to minimize the movement of the boat laterally against the shoreline on the Great Lakes anticipating wind shifts. We Always raise the motors and NEVER leave the boat far out of sight when anchored on the shoreline. Staying in a few feet of water is better anyway as the hull will bounce on the sand or gravel with wave movement if not driven hard ashore and is not a comforting sound when you are sipping a beverage... the thump is never confused with the rhythm of a base guitar to the captain. Rivers? I have not had the opportunity to beach as of yet but would be suspicious about large wakes from freighters that may walk me farther onto the beach... I guess you can always hire a tow as most folks aren't anxious to get in shallow water to drag you off along our shoreline. Tom R Cat's Away Oscoda, MI