Hi guys,
I would __greatly__ appreciate your help as you seem to really have an excellent grasp of paddling.

My stats: 6'1, 220lbs, 36yo, novice

So this year it is my goal to do the Texas Water Safari (TWS)and a friend lent me this boat he
Bottom View: http://biocycle.atmos.colostate.edu/.../tws03_18a.jpg
In Water:
http://biocycle.atmos.colostate.edu/.../tws03_17a.jpg

It's made by Hydra and it's called something like Rivertours or something. They are apparently out of business. It's about 16'4 and seems to weigh about 60lbs and is plastic. It has a rudder system but it has since broken off and the owner cannot find it so I'm trying to find a replacement.

I paddled it and it doesn't seem to track very well but again, Im a novice so it could just be me. I'm sure you know but just for some, the TWS is 260 miles from San Marcos, TX to the Gulf.

Although the owner paddled the boat and finished in 67 hours, everyone I speak to says I couldn't finish the race in this boat and if I did I would be "grunting it" the whole way. They might be saying that to sell me a better boat I just do not know for sure. (a few are paddling friends that do the race so they are just being honest). They all tell me to go with a Wenonah Voyager, but 1) I cannot afford anything more than 1200 and 2) Being a novice everything seems very tippy to me to be honest and those seem even more so from looking at them.

Race is in June and I am just not sure what to do.

Thanks guys, sorry this is so long. If you have any follow up questions pls ask and Ill keep refreshing this page as I live on the computer alot.

Terry