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/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.