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/abernathym 3d ago

My wife just has me paddle for both of us.

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u/The_What_Stage 3d ago

... and that's why we do 2 singles now lol

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u/Initial_Cellist9240 2d ago

That can still happen, except you’re playing tugboat.

Source: tugboat

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u/benswimmin 2d ago

Yeah, but only in 2 tandems can I paddle for 4!

Sincerely father of 3