Recent content by TexasRiverRacer23

I recently completed the Texas Water Safari in June. Due to dangerous flooding downstream, they stopped the race 30 miles short (Swinging Bridge Checkpoint)so it ended up being 233 miles. My partner and I did it in the aluminum class and finished in 53 hours and 51 minutes with only a total...

I haven't been on the site for quite some time but starting to plan my next boat build. I recently completed the 2025 Texas Water Safari in the aluminum class with my best friend. One of my Safari goals is to complete the race solo in a boat I build. I attempted this in 2018, but I was...

I've been AWOL from this site for quite awhile so I thought I'd follow up on this project. Matt did build this boat and made a few modifications before it hit the water. What he found out is the boat just isn't stable enough and didn't race it in the Yukon race as intentionally planned. He...

Matt has made a few design changes to his hull based off my design and is currently racing in the Yukon River Quest. https://www.yukonriverquest.com/ 444 miles in a canoe will give him lots of time to figure out his likes and dislikes. I have changed up the plans some already based on his...

The seat is in and can slide back further.

These pics didn't have a seat in it. They were sitting on a backpack stuffed with clothes. He's added a seat and it goes further back. I may have a picture showing it.

I received some pictures from Matt regarding his build. It’s coming along. He has only just started paddling it. Still work to do but getting there.

Texas River Marathon (36 miles in 3:56) I think we got 8th overall but don’t remember for sure. The most fun I’ve had racing.

I was asleep in that picture. One bite and passed out. That was at mile 148. Unfortunately I DNF'd at mile 200. I've since designed a new boat for the race that I hope to build this year.

Texas Water Safari 2018 One is in the first 2 hours of the race. The other is me after paddling for 35 hours without sleep.

This is just past the finish line of my best friend’s first race. He’s the one in the front. He was upright and pulled hard the entire race but was gassed at the end.

We have lots of paddlers come in from out of state and many of them about as far away as you are. I’ve seen many complete the Safari in Kevlar boats and even wood strip boats. The key is to be cautious and take clean lines. I’ve seen really solid boats broken in half because of bad decisions...

Glenn, You should still do it if you have the chance. An incredible race and even more incredible community.

Move about every 6 years. That will help with "stuff". It's a pain to move and irritating to move things you haven't used in a long time.

Clint...I totally understand where you are coming from and know exactly what you are dealing with when paddling here in Texas. Are you thinking about this one for training purposes or racing, or both? I may have overlooked it, but is it a C1 or a C2? Upload some pictures of the inside and...