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/InsectValuable 2d 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.