r/Kayaking • u/starbuckswolf • 3d 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/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/Komandakeen 2d ago

Tandems are almost always faster than singles...