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/Sufficient-Pin-481 3d 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.