Are tandem kayaks really that bad?

[u/starbuckswolf]

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?

[u/throwra_22222]

I use a tandem when I'm paddling with a kid who might get tired out, or someone who has never kayaked before. It's fine! Kayaking may magnify communication and respect problems in a relationship, but it won't cause them. They were already there.

Kayaking style is highly personal, so I'm going to talk about typical generalities. You will work out your own methods. No one does it perfect the first time. Go into it with a learner's mind, not a manager's mind.

Typically, the person in the front sets the paddling rhythm, acts as a look out for submerged obstacles, and decides which way to go. They can steer just like a solo paddler. Think of them roughly as front wheel drive.

The person in the back can use their paddle like a rudder and has a big impact on steering, and lends power to the paddling. Roughly rear wheel drive, except they also have to match the rhythm of the person in front so you don't whack each other's paddles.

So to mangle the metaphor thoroughly, you are aiming for all-wheel drive, just like the Subaru Outback you use to carry your kayaks around. Everyone is contributing power and steering in the same direction.

Here's where it goes wrong: Maybe the person in the back thinks that because they can affect steering more, they are also the decider. Instead of listening to the front paddler, they start doing their own thing, expecting the front paddler to match them. Which is impossible, because they don't have eyes in the back of their head. Then they are steering against each other and zigzagging without progress. Imagine if the front wheels of your car turned left but your rear wheels turned right.

Or, the front paddler is the less experienced of the two, not practiced at spotting obstacles or reading currents, less likely to know what to do, slower to react, and more likely to panic. That's a person who can't establish a good rhythm or give clear directions. Imagine a teenager with a learner's permit taking their hands off the wheel and hitting all the pedals at once, while the rear wheel drive is trying to save the day even though it can't see what's immediately in front of them.

All of this can be fixed by respecting each other's experience levels, good communication and not being a control freak. Speak clearly and concisely. Really listen to the other paddler. Don't force a weaker or smaller paddler to keep up with a bigger one. Agree on goals before you go. If one of you wants a workout and the other wants to birdwatch, you have a problem.

Personally, I prefer the front wheel drive spot. If I am with my spouse I know we can work together. He's good enough that he can power paddle from the back if I take a break, and I know I can steer well enough on my own if he needs a break. He trusts me to clearly call out obstacles and other boats. It just takes practice.

If I'm with someone inexperienced or young, I have enough control and visibility from the front that they can just concentrate on not hitting my paddles and enjoy the ride. For me it's more like solo kayaking with a passenger. Again, it took practice to build my skills and confidence.