It would amount to the same manuver with out understanding why it worked. Think of a sail in the wind or a plane landing w/ a cross wind or a boat in a current; all the same. The other thing is I like to plan a route so I am going somewhere safe rather than running from danger. Ther ferry is a positive way to get there.
I have found a tub company w/ a third option involving things that tie to the ankles ankles and knees; as one walks forwars the water catches and baloons the cloth causing an effect like kickers but without the blades. I have had the thought about oars as well, being a old raft guide. A big danger in moving water is that one would be pushed over by the current with a foot traped upstream. Without help and luck you are going to drown. Alternately the way one goes down a river, swiming is not the term I would use, is to lay back in water on life jacket and put feet down stream. The procedure is to bounce off of rocks, kinda like rapelling, and useing a back stroke or side stroke to get to shore; again a sort of upstream ferry. All of this would argue for having shoes on the feet. I have looked at the frameless cats and framed pontoon boats. These have the featuure of being able to paddle up to something, drop anchor, and fish. There are clarly times when the bigger pontoon would be better. I am considering a float trip in the spring that would involve gear, tent, food, etc. The bottom line w/ oars is that you can get farther faster; narrow river, shallow water, no boat traffic, do what you want; big river, fast current, boats with motars be high, fast and visible.