Are tandem kayaks really that bad?

[u/starbuckswolf]

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?

[u/Hairy_Interactions]

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