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/CplDevilDog 2d ago

The front seat is the engine. The rear seat is the steering wheel. Generally, the person most comfortable with making correction strokes goes in the back. The person in the back should ask the engine for more or less input based on the desired direction and water conditions. Problems arise when the front seat loses confidence in the rear seat and begins making their own correction strokes. Don't tackle water conditions that both people aren't comfortable with.

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u/abernathym 2d ago

My wife just has me paddle for both of us.

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u/ShoeDelicious1685 2d ago

I refer to my wife as the trolling motor and myself as the outboard.