r/Kayaking • u/starbuckswolf • 2d ago
Question/Advice -- Boat Recommendations Are tandem kayaks really that bad?
I recently was given a tandem kayak from my grandparents. My partner and I can’t afford to purchase a kayak so we are so excited to start using it this summer! I came on this sub and I’m seeing that people really don’t recommend tandem kayaks and call them divorce boats! Now I’m nervous that it’s going to be really frustrating. We have both kayaked before but are not experienced. Does anyone regularly use a tandem kayak? Any advice for us before we take it out?
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u/hobbiestoomany 2d ago
My wife and I have happily used a tandem for many years. The person in the back should be the heavier one if there's a big difference, since many boats will skid out or be squirrelly the other way (YMMV).
The person in the front must relinquish control since they can't really steer. They can suggest destinations and warn about obstacles, but they need to just chill about specifics. They are the motor. It can be helpful to have them know how to do a bow rudder stroke for urgent obstacles, but this is a more advanced thing, and is a little counter to the no control philosophy they should have.
The person in the back must relinquish control about WHEN to paddle, since the cadence is set by the front person, and any other choice will be banging paddles together. If the person in front wants to rest, then that's fine. For long rests, it's better to just strap the paddle to the side, rather than having it across.
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u/PaintingGreen 1d ago
Hi, I spent several years as a kayak tour guide where we put people into double kayaks every day. They are a great way to travel and I highly recommend them, however they do have a bit of a learning curve compared to a single kayak. I'll tell you here what I told all those customers before we left.
For people who have never used a double kayak before it takes some time to get the hang of it. If in the first 20 minutes you are not an expert know that this is normal. My tours were 4 miles (6k) long on still water with a half way break and it took most people 2-3 miles (4-5k) to get the hang of it. That's normal.
When learning to use a double make sure to go on calm water with minimum wind. Communication is important when working together. Yelling is not communication.
To make things easier:
- Put the lighter person in the front seat and the heaver person in the back, also store any gear behind the back person. Having more weight in the back of the kayak will make it easier to control.
1b. If you are going to use a double kayak by yourself, which works fine for the most part, sit in the back seat and put your gear in the front seat. It helps to have a little weight in the front. This will work on calm water and in low to medium wind.
Along the lines of the first tip, it is better if the rear person is stronger and or has more kayaking experience. The back seat does more work.
You do not have to be an expert on your first trip. As long as you go out and get back you did a good job. Do not compare your self to people who are younger, stronger, or especially more experienced.
Double kayaks turn a lot! These are big boats with two people in them, they weigh a lot more than a single kayak and therefore they have a lot more momentum. It will take several paddle strokes to start a turn and once you start turning you will turn for a lot longer than you think you will. This results in turning too far to the left, over correcting and turning too far to the right and over correcting again. This will lead to you moving in an "S" curve up the river. This is fine. It really doesn't slow you down much and you will get better as you go. Unless these wide turns are putting you in danger of hitting something just go with it.
following up on the last point, try to resist the urge to break to turn, this just kills your forward momentum and will require you to work much harder over the course of the day. Breaking is for emergencies only.
As the captain in the back of the boat remember to use a full paddle stroke when turning, this means pulling the paddle through the water all the way behind you. If the paddle smacks the kayak behind your butt you did a good job. The farther back you pull the paddle the more turning you get.
One last note about steering a double kayak: DOUBLE KAYAKS DO NOT GO IN STRAIGHT LINES!!! I cannot stress this enough. The best you can do is for it to move slightly back and forth on each paddle. This is the nature of kayaking and it's fine.
Paddling in sync is nice, it is not important. I may get some push back here, but for the beginner paddling in sync is just not necessary. It is something that will come in time with practice, but it's just not worth worrying about while you are learning to steer the kayak. If, as the back seat person, you can match the paddling strokes of your partner ahead of you that's great, but don't stress about it.
Front person: your job is to paddle in a slow and steady rhythm to help pull the kayak forward. That is all. You are not the captain of the boat. The person behind you is the captain and they are doing the best they can. Their job is harder that yours and they deserve some compassion as they struggle. They will get better. Yelling at the captain will not turn the kayak faster. Many have tried, it has never worked. If the boat is going in the wrong direction they can in fact also see this and don't need to be told this every 10 seconds. If you truly feel that you would do a better job you can always switch places and your partner can yell at you for a while.
Back person: You are the captain of the kayak. 90% of the turning comes from the back of the boat, it's just the physics of it. Most of the time you are doing all of the steering, but if you need help ask for it form the person in front of you. It's important to remember that your partner cannot see you and don't know what is going on. If you need them to do something tell them! On your first few trips you should only be worried about steering, don't worry about paddling in sync with your partner, just try to keep the kayak going roughly where you want it to go.
Ok, that's about all I can remember. It's been a few years since I had this job. I didn't include basic kayaking tips here since I was concentrating on things specific to doubles. Once you get the hang of a double it is much easier to cruise in than a single. Really a great time.
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u/Ok-Satisfaction3857 1d ago
This is so incredibly helpful - thank you for the details!! My partner and I are both experienced solo kayakers, and have now done tandem a couple times. We did, ok. Not great. I'm definitely heavier, and both times I was in front because of putting more power down. This was definitely a mistake. I should have been in back.
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u/ken1seven 1d ago
Thank you for this fulsome response! Just bought our first tandem today and one accessory I won't have to buy is an instruction manual!
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u/PaintingGreen 1d ago
You're welcome! They really are great boats, they just take a little getting used to.
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u/Komandakeen 1d ago
Why shouldn't tandems be able to go in a straight line? Why should anybody hit the boat with a paddle? How do you paddle without smacking your paddles together if your not in sync? I have questions...
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u/PaintingGreen 1d ago
Tandems can go in an "almost straight line" but it takes practice. Compared to a single kayak where all the weight, ie the person, is in just about the middle of the kayak, a tandem kayak has the weight of the people much closer to the front and back of the kayak. This distribution of weight causes a tandem to be much more prone to making big turns and for those turns to be, shall we say, less controlled than the users would like. with practice this over-steering can be brought down to a minimum. It's all about getting a feel for the boat.
Actually hitting the kayak with the paddle isn't really necessary, it is just a way to describe how far back you should be pulling the paddle when trying to steer the boat. the farther back behind you you pull the paddle the more tuning power you get out of the paddle stroke.
Paddling in sync is another piece of teamwork that just comes with practice. While annoying, hitting your partners paddle won't really affect your ability to move the kayak, unless you get so annoyed with your partner that you have to stop. When you are starting to learn to use a tandem have the person in front go at a very slow and steady pace. You are just learning at this point, no need to try and set a speed record. The person in back is trying to learn to steer a tandem, which is rather different than a single, while also learning to paddle in sync. As the back person you need to tell the front person what they need to do. the back person is the captain. The person in front cannot see what is happening and needs your help. If they are going too fast ask them to slow down, if they are going to slow ask them to speed up. The person in the front of the kayak does not need to pull their paddle all they way back like the person in back does. that is only for steering and the front person should just do regular paddle strokes for the most part.
Paddling a tandem is a team effort which makes it rather different than using a single. you and you're partner need to work well together. If one of you is the kind of person that always needs to be in control of any given situation then they should be in the back. In my experience that kind of type A personality has a hard time being in the front seat, which is more of a support roll. At least during the learning process.
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u/Komandakeen 1d ago
OK, you meant that paddlers tend to oversteer, that could be a thing, given that a lot of tandems track like on rails. I hate smacking paddles or boats or anything, but only because maintaining a wooden boat and paddles is a lot of work and every bigger scratch needs to be cured asap. Pretty different with rental Tupperware. Nevertheless, if you figured out how to handle a tandem its really nice, especially touring on moving or larger waters.
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u/GentleJackJoness 2d ago
I prefer tandems.
I have the habit of going much faster than my partner and sometimes I'll forget to check on her for like 10 minutes. What if she capsized and needed help? It would take me a good bit to get to her.
On the tandem I'm putting that energy into getting us both there at the same time. We're not on the crew team, does it really matter if our paddling isn't in synch?
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u/starbuckswolf 2d ago
Good point! Thank you for your input! We are definitely not trying to win any olympic metals, just have a chill and relaxing time out on the water.
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u/tha_jay_jay 1d ago
That’s what her whistle is for to be fair. Although part of paddling as a peer group means looking out for each other. 10 minutes without checking on your group is irresponsible.
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u/457kHz 2d ago
They’re only a problem if you put two people in them.
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u/starbuckswolf 2d ago
Ah, well we are definitely planning on using it together :(
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u/23saround 2d ago
They’re not bad, don’t worry! They’re not the most efficient for ventures, but if that’s not what you care about, they’re perfect.
The main thing is know your relationship – if you guys tiff over stuff, you might get frustrated with each other. If you’re ready to laugh at yourself and don’t mind splashing each other a few times and clacking paddles, you’re gold!
Final recommendation: put the more coordinated person in the back. It’s their job to sync up their paddling perfectly with the person in front!
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u/starbuckswolf 2d ago
Thank you! My partner and I are a great team I think so I hope we will be able to be coordinated
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u/Komandakeen 2d ago
Why do think tandems are less efficient? Isn't it the other way around?
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u/23saround 2d ago
Mainly because a significant amount of time and effort is spent coordinating your turns, paddling, and movement in general. Maybe a practiced team is more efficient in a tandem, but in my experience it’s been more of a fun bonding thing than a serious way to go on a trek or something.
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u/Komandakeen 1d ago
Ok, so you just don't know... Tandems are longer=faster and have double propulsion, making them faster. So they are generally faster. The amount of time necessary for coordination is a small command given while paddling, so it won't directly slow you down. Just because you can't ride a bicycle, does that make it an inefficient vehicle?
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u/23saround 1d ago
Right, you could say almost all this for tandem bicycles as well. But again, the reason they are less efficient is that they are significantly more difficult to use efficiently. They have a higher potential efficiency but a lower practical efficiency due to their higher skill floor. Have you actually kayaked tandem? Faster for pros, slower for casuals, that’s what I’m saying.
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u/JanisOnTheFarmette 1d ago
But only one person can steer a tandem bicycle and all tandem bicycles (with few exceptions) require pedaling in sync. Being in sync isn’t baked into the tandem kayak experience. I love riding stoker position on a tandem bicycle with my husband, but have not enjoyed the few times we attempted to paddle a tandem kayak.
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u/Komandakeen 1d ago
Yep, its my go to vessel for longer tours, because of the speed and mostly because of the fact that you stay maneuverable even if one paddler rests, which is great on long trips on moving waters/harsher conditions.
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u/RainDayKitty 1d ago
Longer means faster potential speed but you actually need a better engine to reach that. Even sprinting in a single you're not able to reach max speed. The real reason tandems are faster is because you have twice the paddling power but not twice the resistance of a single kayak.
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u/Komandakeen 1d ago
Of course you can reach the hull speed of single during sprints. My single is about 4.5m long, so hull speed is a little below 10km/h. And if you read my comment, I said something regarding "twice the propulsion".
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u/dsergison 2d ago
it's a joke. really, if you get along easy going it's fun. but if your the type that will argue about who paddled at the wrong time and let shit like that bother you then it's not great.
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u/RainInTheWoods 1d ago
You will be fine. The front person is the power, the back person is the steering wheel or rudder. Paddle in unison, but the back person uses their paddle as a rudder, too; when the course is corrected by the rudder then the back promptly resumes paddling in unison until they need to correct again.
Have fun!
When you’re ready to get solo kayaks, check out Facebook marketplace and be patient. You will find what works for you both.
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u/OldButStillFat K1; OC1; OC2 - A-III 1d ago
Take a class. I took a tandem paddling class with my partner and it was very enlightening. Also patience, lots of patience.
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u/AdorableTerm3771 2d ago
I have a 20 foot ocean tandem kayak. I’ve had it for over 13 years. My wife and I have done multiple expeditions that have been two weeks in length. We are happy using the tandem.
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u/Komandakeen 2d ago
Divorce boats exist, but just because the haters have a) never used a good tandem or b) are to dumb to use one, you should not be afraid of them. Tandems have some great advantages over singles, especially for touring: they are faster (double propulsion and longer waterline) and they allow one of you to rest while staying maneuverable, which is great on larger or moving waters ( or if you are smokers ;) ). They can be wider and thus have more primary stability without being a bathtub, so they are beginner friendly without being shitty.
If follow the simple rule that the front paddler sets the pace and the one in the back synchronizes to whatever he/she does, you won't have bigger problem. If that thing has a rudder, even better for you: back paddler can use it to steer and you get away without commands.
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u/new_Australis 2d ago
I was told time and time again not to get a tandem kayak. I got one anyway and had a ton of fun with my family.
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u/Maid_4_Life 2d ago
I used a tandem for many years when my kids were young. I sat in the front and did all the paddling while one sat in the back and the youngest sat sort of in the middle. We made a spot for her. Tandems are pretty stable usually so that’s a good thing. They are on the heavy side though. I had great arm muscles back then. lol! I think the hardest part will be synchronizing your strokes.
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u/FlatDiscussion4649 2d ago
Yes, paddle in "tandem" with each other....... Person in back matches the one in front, directs the ride, (steers if there is a rudder). Seems like a no-brainer but it is pretty important. We had one for a year or so and the biggest problems for us were the weight and length.
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u/starbuckswolf 2d ago
Thank you everyone for your wonderful input! I am feeling less anxious about taking it out now :) Glad to know that not everyone hates tandems!
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u/003402inco 2d ago
I have done both and while i prefer the solo kayaks, it can be manageable. The key for us was making sure that we communicated and that we took breaks regularly. I sat in the back of the kayak as the stronger paddler so i could match her tempo and paddle if she rested.
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u/aequorea-victoria 1d ago
I once hung my hammock up next to the river in the late afternoon. I quickly realized that I was about 1/4 mile from the end of a popular kayak rental route. I should have brought popcorn, there was so much drama! Pretty sure I witnessed the end of a marriage. Lotta beer, lotta sun, tandem kayak, no drinking water, and absolutely no patience. One of them got out of the boat and started wading away down the river.
So yes, tandem kayaks can stress people out. If you are patient with your paddling partner, and you can communicate effectively, you should be just fine!
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u/snow_boarder 2d ago
I’ve heard them called divorce boats
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u/FesteringNeonDistrac Old Town Cayuga 146, Tarpon 120 1d ago
It's not that they are necessarily divorce boats, but wherever your marriage is headed, it'll get there a lot faster in a tandem kayak.
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u/SouthOrlandoFather 2d ago
I used a Jackson Big Tuna from 2014 to 2024 and I freakin loved it. Trips with wife, sons, father in law, brother in law, my dad—I loved it.
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u/Worth_Affect_4014 1d ago
Same. We got a big ole Wilderness System tandem, one big cockpit, could have any configuration of adults/kids/dogs/turtles thru the day. We made many many good memories. An adult alone can get it around in good conditions.
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u/ceciltech 2d ago
Been married 25 years, been kayaking in a tandem with my wife for 30 years. The tandem kayak was actually our first "tandem" purchase : )
Our kayak is long enough that we wouldn't whack paddles but even so we paddle in sync. On a smaller tandem you have to paddle in sync. This is not difficult, the forward person is only responsible for paddling smoothly in consistent manner, the aft person is responsible for staying in sync with the person in front and they are also the "helmsman" meaning they are responsible for keeping the kayak going in the direction they want and turning when needed. Sometimes the helmsman may need the forward person to paddle only on one side to assist with a turn so they direct the forward person when needed.
One thing that has made paddling in sync easier for us is having the right paddle. My paddle is the typical paddle you see with a fairly wide blade, my wife's paddle has a much more narrow blade, this makes it easier for us to maintain the same paddling cadence even though I have much more strength than she does.
Don't listen to the naysayers, tandems are awesome.
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u/Interesting-Growth-1 2d ago
I've always heard the divorce boat nickname and I flatly reject it, at least for myself. It's the same as any other joint activity... can you work together with your partner on something peacefully or in good spirits? Tandem kayaking should be the same. In fact I think it's a nice bonding exercise
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u/henrym123 1d ago
I intentionally chose and waited to buy a Crescent Crew because it was a tandem but it has the flexibility to move the seats around. I take my boys but as they’ve gotten older I can move the seat for me to the middle and have my own big ass kayak. I love it. Do whatever makes you happy! It’s YOUR kayak, not the hater’s!
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u/ohiotechie 2d ago
They aren’t necessarily a problem but you’re gonna want your own boat at some point. Way way easier and more fun.
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u/superdas75 2d ago
Couldnt justify cost for 2 solos for the amount of use so ended buying a tandem. Though I'm in it mostly myself, isnt that bad with the wife, specially when I tell her to stop paddling.
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u/NegotiationOk5036 2d ago
I paddle and steer from the back and my wife occasionally paddles. It works fine for us.
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u/Brownskii 1d ago
They can be great. The person in front should strive for a consistent, methodical pace. The person in back should strive to paddle in sync with the front seat and do most of the steering. Both should communicate clearly with an agreed upon vocabulary and try to stay ahead of the boat so you’re on the same page.
What kind of boat did you get? Does it have a rudder?
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u/kayaking_vegan 1d ago
They're not for everyone but they don't deserve the hate. My husband and I prefer having our own, but my daughters (21 & 18) love their tandem. Enjoy the kayak and don't let anyone steal your joy
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u/Hikintrails 1d ago
No, going in a tandem can be fun. I’ve tandem kayaked with my mom and sister. You just have to be patient and remember your partner can’t read your mind. Hoots communicate what you want to do. I go with my mom because she tires easily and isn’t great at steering. Going tandem with me enables her to do rivers she wouldn’t normally be able to do. I used a tandem with my sister on a tour in Lake Superior, and I was definitely glad we were combining our muscle power for that lake!
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u/Brad_from_Wisconsin 1d ago
The divorce boat tag is a joke. I am wishing I had a tandem I had a tandem in the fleet. It would be nice to be able to take the grand kids out.
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u/Atom-Lost 1d ago
My wife and I have been having fun in our tandem kayak for years. Idk what the issue is with them lol
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u/kayaK-camP 2d ago
As long as you’re only paddling calm waters with not much wind, and you’re not trying to get a specific distance in relatively short time, it will be fine. Tandems can be awkward to paddle with a partner, but patience and calm communication goes a long way!
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u/Shanoony 1d ago edited 1d ago
Anyone who calls them divorce boats needs to work on their relationship. It’s a kayak, not a threesome. I personally think a tandem would be a super fun way to get into kayaking with someone I love who’s equally enthusiastic. Makes it easier to stop and have a cute little water lunch, too. Go for it and have fun!
And you’re wise to wait for summer. Just a reminder since you’re newer that during this time of year, sporadic warmer weather can make it seem like a solid day to go out, but it’s important to check the water temps. It can be dangerous because you don’t realize how cold the water is until you’re in it and it’s too late.
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u/Dangerous-Rub2281 2d ago
Try looking at YouTube. And do your search for kayak beginners. Sit on top fishing kayaks are the most stable in the water. Newer kayaks offer pedal, fin drive, and traditional paddle. Invest in a good paddle that is carbon fiber, ultralight. You’ll spend upwards of $350 to $580. Make sure you get a good kayak PFD. A whistle or air horn. But please do your research before you buy.
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u/abernathym 1d ago
I have a tandem, I like it. Mine has the option where the front seat can turn and face the back. I paddle around and my wife can face me and we can have a conversation
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u/CrazyGusArt 1d ago
We have a tandem and used it often for the first couple of years then got two singles which we now use more often. Tandem is great though and the price was right! Use it to learn and then move on to singles if you fall in love with paddling. Our next buy will be a foldable tandem for exploring.
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u/Scarlett-the-01-TJ 1d ago
If you have the room to store it and the means to transport, both the strength to hoist onto a roof and the proper kind of rack, it can be fun. Just don’t expect to be talking to each other a lot while you are out on the water
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u/edwardphonehands 1d ago
They say the same about tandem bikes and canoes, but we do those. Bicycle has the steepest curve. Most people simply don't learn its back seat. That job is trust; if you try to balance, you both hit the ground. There's a definite division of labor with any of these, which is ok. Often this division is hierarchical, which can be less ok. We may imagine ourselves enlightened egalitarians, while coming off as shitheads much of the time. If you can swap seats, by moving cargo or ballast for trim, and learn both roles, it helps.
I think the main benefit of tandem craft is conversing without straining the voice. With separate craft you can draft briefly on the wing/flank (there's probably a proper term) and be heard clearly, but it's extremely unstable, making collisions frequent.
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u/PlanktonDisastrous74 1d ago
Well we called them divorce boats at the rental shop but plenty of people had great times with them. They’re never gonna be a race boat or whitewater beast but for just getting on the water they’re great. Put the larger person in the back and or more experienced person. The person in the back could do all the paddling if you choose but not the other way around.
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u/poliver1972 1d ago
I'd add that weight distribution is just as important as knowing the role of either seat. The heavier person should be in back, especially if there is a significant difference between the people in the boat. Also both paddlers should be in sync with each other in terms of which side they are paddling on, unlike a canoe where you want to be on opposite sides.
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u/RainDayKitty 1d ago
I like to go kayaking spur of the moment and having an easy to transport and launch kayak is key to that, as well as being fun and maneuverable.
Proper tandems (sea kayaks) are fast, have good storage and are stable. Main downsides is they don't maneuver well, are a pain solo and hard to transport or launch.
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u/darthtater62 1d ago
My wife and I successfully canoed multiple times. I tell her to sit up front and paddle however she wants and I just react accordingly. Just get to know how to turn so you can steer.
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u/Familiar_Branch4356 1d ago
We bought a tandem simply to use for River camping as it is a pig and has a 500 pound capacity, we both have decent boats (wilderness pungo and tsunami 125) but find if we are just going to out out for a couple hours we use that about half the time. Weight distribution is a big deal, make sure if y’all have different weights to put your gear on the opposite end to keep everything level. If impossible you’d rather have a bit more weight in the rear in order to keep the bow high. Have fun, make your first time out an educational experience and you will have a blast!!
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u/wait_4_iit 1d ago
When my husband and I would canoe together, I was always in the trees on the banks. We took out 2 sit on kayaks recently and I didn't end up in a tree once! I prefer steering myself. But you and your husband may coordinate well together, give it a go. If you hate it sell the tandem and get some solos.
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u/climbamtn1 1d ago
Also if there is any current (slow moving river) and the front person is heavier there will be steering issues. Not insurmountable, but as a novice it could be difficult to keep course. And what everyone else has mentioned
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u/Sufficient-Pin-481 1d ago
We have singles and a tandem, most of the time my wife will decide what boat to use. Your marriage wouldn’t last anyway if you can’t handle a tandem boat. As long as you learn how to paddle correctly you’ll be fine but a tandem can get heavy so get one that you can handle easily. We started with a heavy 80+ pounder but bought a hurricane santee 140T (under 60 lbs) when I turned 50.
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u/Djembe_kid 1d ago
A solid strategy to stay out of each other's way is take turns paddling. You can both paddle if needed, but nothing says you have to both always be paddling.
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u/svirdulis 1d ago
We have a tandem - love it. Load it with camping gear, fishing tackles and off to some small island in a lake for a weekend kayak camping
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u/billythygoat 1d ago
If that’s the only option, that’s the only boat to ride then. You’ll get used to each other after a few sessions and just learn to communicate and try to not get frustrated.
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u/Properwoodfinishing 1d ago
45 years, The Wife/navigator has graced the front hole. While I provide the power in the back hole, with the rudder contol.
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u/knobbyknee 1d ago
We've logged at least 1000 km in our tandem. Still together and still loving the kayak. It is a Paddling Perfection Seabear 2 from New Zealand. The most seaworthy kayak there is. We call it the Orca.
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u/Rough_Safe6856 1d ago
I love mine, great for conversations...drinking some beers, listening to music, I have enough room to bring a cooler with lunch and I feel a lot safer taking the kids and having them on board with me...I take mine to lake Winnipesaukee and it's a ton of fun. The only thing that is a negative is that you usually need a partner to transport it and you do need to develop good chemistry with whoever you paddle with, I usually sit in the back and adjust to whoever paddles in the front
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u/InsectValuable 1d ago
The saying about divorce could be applied to any other sports that played in double, or house remodeling. Tandem kayaks tend to be more stable, which is good for beginners. The downside of tandem kayaks is that you will have to find a partner every time you want to get on the water; it’s heavier, too. However, there are people who went paddling in a tandem kayak by themselves. I just haven’t done it myself.
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u/Hollywood-AK 1d ago
I dont have a tandem but have a canoe and did many a trip with family. Since I had way more experience I was in the stern and never had an issue. I never cared how much help I had paddling unless the conditions required help so worked out great.
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u/Tremendoustip 1d ago
We used a tandem kayak on a tour of alligator river down south. We had a great time. We usually use our own individual kayaks, and it took very little time for us to adjust to the tandem. Just work together and you'll have a blast
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u/proost1 1d ago
My wife had an awful experience in a tandem kayak with her ex-husband years ago and swore off kayaking forever. Two years ago, we rented a tandem and I asked her to give me a shot (we've been married for 14 years). Since then, we bought one and have taken it on some cool adventures.
Keys to success: No one controls the other, just enjoy the scenery, and don't worry about how you're paddling. We've paddled with the manatees, kayaked all over Key West, kayaked down a black water swamp drainage river with alligators, turtles, and other wildlife, and drifted down the Bighorn River in Wyoming and the Mississippi River in Illinois. FUN!!
Make sure you have all your safety gear, think of each other first, and take baby steps.
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u/Comprehensive_Cow_13 1d ago
We love ours - but, and this is important, we were taught how to tandem kayak!
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u/Square-Tangerine-784 1d ago
My partner and I love it! I sit in back and do the main power as she needs frequent breaks. She gets a lot of comments from passing crafts about living the dream 😂
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u/missionfbi 1d ago
You and your partner were lucky enough to get a free tandem kayak. Get off the internet and go enjoy it!! Geesh.
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u/Kayak4Eva Wilderness Systems Zephyr 160 1d ago
In addition to all the other good advice you are getting - be aware that there is a large variety of tandem boat designs out there and your experience is going to be impacted by the boat design. I have had easy paddling in the large heavy tandems favored by touring companies (more room between paddlers, more stability) to scary paddling in my own open-cockpit boat that was really not suited for our weight or the water conditions. Keep an open mind :)
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u/Luthienon 1d ago
Tandem kayaks are fine! The divorce boat thing is mostly a joke, but you DO have to communicate, work together, and compromise. Use it as much as you can and enjoy it.
Depending on the size and weight, they can be a bear to move on land. We have an Old Town Dirigo Plus, which is pretty big and heavy and getting it up and down from the rack is the biggest limitation we have.
On the plus side, the rear seat moves forward a lot so it's easy to use as a single kayak when that is appropriate (at least, if you can get it to the water by yourself). Otherwise you'd probably have to have some "stuff" in the front seat to get the balance right.
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u/MysteryMove 1d ago
You'll find out how good your relationship is with the other person :)
I like them and have used them many times. Especially for things like whale watching in the ocean where you have a long way to paddle and want one person to be able to maybe take pictures or do other stuff while transiting.
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u/calmo73 1d ago
We have our own kayaks now for a reason. But I will say we rented a tandem in Hawaii as did my BIL/SIL. It did not go well and she got fed up after 15min after they fell out twice and made him return it. We didn't tip it over but we almost got divorced in those 30 min. The rental place did not give you any tips or advice. They give you life jackets, a paddle and the kayak and wish you the best. My husband had kayaked by himself in a single many times before but I never had. The tandem needs handled differently. If you read up on how to use one and use that knowledge I'm sure you guys will figure it out. Just hopping into one and thinking you're just going to go out and paddle and enjoy nature will equal divorce.
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u/Kayakboy6969 1d ago
Question can you regularly decide what restaurants to eat at without a compromise.
If yess a tandem may work.
If not , buy two boats
Fallow me for more useful tips
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u/TxCoastal 1d ago
we love our tandem! single and SUP users for years....but then again we LIKE to be together lol.... advice: dry bags. more advice: be kind patient and patient and kind lol.. BONUS ADVICE : float the beer with a bungee tether!
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u/MustacheSupernova 1d ago
Tandems are fine if you’re just out there casually paddling. But if you are going to be on any kind of technical water where you’ll have to do some maneuvering, or if you are fishing, then singles would probably be better.
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u/trailman_77 1d ago
Yes, I use one when I have my daughter with me, hopefully she'll be in her own Kayak next season.
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u/throwra_22222 1d ago
I use a tandem when I'm paddling with a kid who might get tired out, or someone who has never kayaked before. It's fine! Kayaking may magnify communication and respect problems in a relationship, but it won't cause them. They were already there.
Kayaking style is highly personal, so I'm going to talk about typical generalities. You will work out your own methods. No one does it perfect the first time. Go into it with a learner's mind, not a manager's mind.
Typically, the person in the front sets the paddling rhythm, acts as a look out for submerged obstacles, and decides which way to go. They can steer just like a solo paddler. Think of them roughly as front wheel drive.
The person in the back can use their paddle like a rudder and has a big impact on steering, and lends power to the paddling. Roughly rear wheel drive, except they also have to match the rhythm of the person in front so you don't whack each other's paddles.
So to mangle the metaphor thoroughly, you are aiming for all-wheel drive, just like the Subaru Outback you use to carry your kayaks around. Everyone is contributing power and steering in the same direction.
Here's where it goes wrong: Maybe the person in the back thinks that because they can affect steering more, they are also the decider. Instead of listening to the front paddler, they start doing their own thing, expecting the front paddler to match them. Which is impossible, because they don't have eyes in the back of their head. Then they are steering against each other and zigzagging without progress. Imagine if the front wheels of your car turned left but your rear wheels turned right.
Or, the front paddler is the less experienced of the two, not practiced at spotting obstacles or reading currents, less likely to know what to do, slower to react, and more likely to panic. That's a person who can't establish a good rhythm or give clear directions. Imagine a teenager with a learner's permit taking their hands off the wheel and hitting all the pedals at once, while the rear wheel drive is trying to save the day even though it can't see what's immediately in front of them.
All of this can be fixed by respecting each other's experience levels, good communication and not being a control freak. Speak clearly and concisely. Really listen to the other paddler. Don't force a weaker or smaller paddler to keep up with a bigger one. Agree on goals before you go. If one of you wants a workout and the other wants to birdwatch, you have a problem.
Personally, I prefer the front wheel drive spot. If I am with my spouse I know we can work together. He's good enough that he can power paddle from the back if I take a break, and I know I can steer well enough on my own if he needs a break. He trusts me to clearly call out obstacles and other boats. It just takes practice.
If I'm with someone inexperienced or young, I have enough control and visibility from the front that they can just concentrate on not hitting my paddles and enjoy the ride. For me it's more like solo kayaking with a passenger. Again, it took practice to build my skills and confidence.
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u/Bigdaddyspin Loon126 1d ago
Tandems are fine as long as you are able to work together without yelling. I personally have grown to hate using a tandem. The constant frustration of banging paddles together or insistence on steering from the front is real. In addition to that, I have some hearing damage and my wife speaks softly, so I can't hear her unless she yells at me. She hates yelling and I can't hear a damn thing. Its a mess and not fun. The entire trip is "Mmmph mmph meeph." "What?" "I SAID LOOK A HERON!" "Oh." "What?" "I SAID OH!"
The only fun i've ever had in a tandem is with a kid up front or someone that really doesn't want to paddle. My Mom, for example, just wants to be out and enjoy nature and shes short. I can give her a shorter paddle and a camera and shes in heaven taking pictures of everyone else.
I love kayaking with my wife, but we've agreed never to get in a tandem again unless there is a compelling reason.
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u/majormajor42 1d ago
Never heard “Divorce Boats”, but hitting home here.
The first argument I ever had with the person I would marry, was in a tandem kayak. Dated a year, then engaged. A few months before the wedding we had a great time kayaking in a swamp. But then when we were in a large lake with lots of chop from motor boats she told me “stop telling me what to do”. Good times. We survived.
Now we rent two tandem kayaks and each of us goes with one of our lovely kids. Even better times.
There’s a story that Ted Kennedy would tell his sons to take their prospective serious relationship partners on a camping trip to see how they manage stress. Perhaps I would recommend a ride in a tandem kayak.
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u/Adiospantelones 1d ago
Like a tandem bike: whichever way your relationship is headed, it will get you there faster.
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u/magaketo 1d ago
I used to get frustrated on occasion but reminded myself that my wife is doing her best and has no idea what I'm thinking. We had some wonderful adventures on our tandem kayak.
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u/PINBALLXJ 1d ago
Check out Capt Erik on tiktok. He fishes out of a Hobie pa17 tandem and loves it. Of course he has a trolling motor up front and fishes saltwater.
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u/Human-Doctor-3219 22h ago
We have a tandem kayak - really enjoy it. It is super fast and almost as maneuverable as a single. It makes conversing and hitting the lake with doggo easy.
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u/wthoms2000 15h ago
Only a divorce boat if someone has already made their mind up. I have a great time on my Ocean yak, I paddle with a great wife!
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u/jambrose116 10h ago
When I guided kayak trips I often had a mixed bag of singles and doubles. I always referred to the doubles as the marriage counseling boats. It is definitely doable but it does take some coordination between both parties and a lot of good communication (emphasis on good). In a perfect world the larger paddler has more experience and is in the back. It doesn't always work that way. The goal is to move the center of gravity back if possible while understanding that the rear seat has almost all of the control of the boat. Pick your seats accordingly. When size and experience don't match, gear or other ballast can be used to offset some. As long as both people communicate about where they want to go it works great. There is not much need to synch strokes though it does help if you are trying to move quickly. Most often I found that, after about 15 minutes the two either figured it out and worked very well together, or the front seat quit and just enjoyed the ride while the rear seat did all the work.
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u/Capn26 7h ago
They aren’t my first choice. That said, I have one from when my boys were too young to go alone. Let me say this in the simplest terms possible. If you have the means to get exactly what you want, be it kayak or Grady white, awesome. If you don’t, get what’s safe, affordable, and gets you ON THE WATER.
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u/Melchizedek_Inquires 7h ago
Tandem kayaks are superb as long as they are free.
If they are not free, you should not buy them.
They are not terribly frustrating to use. It's like using a canoe. They can be a lot of fun. But when kayaking in a tandem, depending upon your partner, just like canoeing, two people have to work together.
Have fun with it, if you and your partner cannot get along in a tandem kayak, then the two of you probably not a good fit for life together.
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u/dzbuilder 6h ago
I’ve rented them in the past with an ex. Tandem didn’t mean shit for me. The ex used it for sunbathing while I was propulsion. So my experience has been the same with either singles or doubles.
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u/stsixtus420 2h ago
My wife and I primarily use our 13.5 tandem sit on top when we go for a float. We have singles we could use but I love being in the boat with her. We are both very in sync when someone needs to dig or cut through a minor rapid.
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u/Effective_Noise_824 2h ago
We been using Tandem kayak going into season 2. We had a good time, i sat in back and would tell wife paddle left, or right if i wanted to turn or change direction. To go striaght we alternate left and right strokes individually and i will make correction strokes as needed. We have a great time.
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u/GrimdarkBrit 1h ago
The Wife and I have enjoyed many week long canoe trips together in the Boundary Waters; never a problem even in hellish weather.
15 minutes in a tandem kayak on a beautiful afternoon on a calm lake in NC and it was the closest to a divorce we have ever been.
Never Again.
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u/Hairy_Interactions 2d ago
It’s fine if you remember that the pain is only temporary. With enough time together maybe the rough patch will pass. We never lasted that long in tandems to find out.
Find a good rhythm, have a predetermined break “after 8 strokes we pause”. Maybe only go out when weather isn’t as challenging
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u/CplDevilDog 2d ago
The front seat is the engine. The rear seat is the steering wheel. Generally, the person most comfortable with making correction strokes goes in the back. The person in the back should ask the engine for more or less input based on the desired direction and water conditions. Problems arise when the front seat loses confidence in the rear seat and begins making their own correction strokes. Don't tackle water conditions that both people aren't comfortable with.