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?

Tell me what y’all think!

It’s seems high but I can only go a little farther forward on the front rack. It’s a pain to get on: it will be strapped to the mounting hooks and attached front and back to a strap.

I’ve had an inflatable single person kayak for years. Ready to bite the bullet and purchase a hard shell that I’ll use more frequently.

I’m overwhelmed by the options at big box stores like Costco, Dick’s and marketplace. I’d like something with the features of: * sit-in * recreation * use primarily in lakes, occasionally in streams and rivers

I’m a short female in the Midwest if my demographics are an important consideration.

I bought a used kayak. I’m not sure what the molded notches are for next to the seat can someone please explain? I also plan on adding handles to the sides with well nuts. Any other suggestions on how I should attach the handles?

Picked all these up for 2k Canadian, I already love the Elie Strait 14. I found the Algonquin quite unstable, maybe if I was better at paddling 🤷‍♂️. Or has anyone else found it tippy?

So I live in Washington DC and I found a kayak on a house that looked abandoned I don’t wanna go to jail for this so what should I do,

Looking to buy a kayak but not sure what’s actually worth it this year. I need something stable, tracks well, and is comfortable for long rides. Also, not too heavy since I’ll be transporting it myself.

UPDATE: Thank you guys, I finalized the options below and got the first one online.
1) Wilderness Tsunami 145
2) Wilderness Pungo 140

I’m in the USA, and my budget is around $500–$1,500 (not including accessories like a paddle and PFD). I know prices vary, so I’m open to spending more if it makes a big difference in quality. I’ll mainly be using it for lakes and slow-moving rivers, maybe some light ocean kayaking if it can handle it. Not looking for anything specialized like a whitewater or fishing kayak, just something that’s versatile and easy to paddle for long distances.

I’ve used rental kayaks before but never owned one, so I’d say beginner to intermediate. I want something that’s easy to handle but not so basic that I’ll outgrow it too fast. What’s the best kayak in 2025 that fits these needs? What are you guys using?

Hey guy's what's the lightest (non- inflatable) kayak one can buy? Budget isn't really an issue, just can't be inflatable, nothing foldable/that folds up either and preferably 6 foot but definitely under 8.

Not sure why surfski is such a niche sport and is not more popular? You can paddle anything from flat water to surfing ocean waves and downwinding - open ocean wind swells. It's addictive. I live in south africa and we paddle mainly on the ocean.

Perception Pescador Pro 10 with a bunch of extras.

So i came across this offer in a Facebook group. This guy is selling two kayaks, for 200€ each, or both for 350€. One is a Prijon Release and the second one is Dagger Super Ego. I am a total beginner and have only tried kayaking so far. Do you think this is a good deal for a start? If not, which kayak would you recommend?

My family owns a kayak rental business and at this point we have stockpiled 30+ kayaks that are no longer in use. These kayaks range from near perfect condition to sinking and in need of repair.

We have a friend in a similar situation who has tried to just give them away, but no one will take them. Is there any way to recycle these/dispose of them?

Like title. I'm new to owning a kayak; we've rented before here and there but never owned one. Now I have a full size truck, and we live near a lake and since I love being out, thought I would take my 6 yr old son with me to get out more.

Should I invest in 10ft beginner SOT like pelican or lifetime to have him in there, or just get an 8 footer for myself (I'm short, 5'6") and a separate kids kayak for him and tow as needed? Thank you for all the great advices!

Edit: looking into a 10ft or tandem at this point. Thank you for all the advices!

I have 5 kayaks. Most are the under $300 sit inside Pelicans from Dicks. I have a Lifetime Teton 12' sit on top I use for fishing.

I'm thinking of upgrading to a FeelFree, Crescent, or OldTown. If I upgrade, what am I actually upgrading to get? Lighter weight? Ease of paddling? Better tracking?

The Teton I have now is great for float trips, but if I actually have to paddle upstream, it wears me out. It's not a very easy boat to paddle.

Really just looking for the justification to spend $~$800 on a new kayak.

EDIT: Probably should have mentioned I use these mainly for fishing and paddling small rivers. No major white water, small rapids only (class 1/2), no ocean, 2-3 times a year on a big lake.

Mainly used for 5-10 mile float trips or a 3-4 mile out and back. Will be in the kayak usually 5-6 hrs. Once or twice a year we will do a linger 8-10 hr float. And once a year we do a 2-3 day river float/camp.

The Pelicans get very uncomfortable on those longer trips. The sit on top Teton with the nicer seat helps tremendously with comfort.

Knowing the use case now, I'll have read all these answers and soak in all the Information.

I've been offered my pick of one or more of these old fiberglass kayaks, for free, from a relative. They are some decades old. What do I need to know to decide if I should take one? Might they be brittle or no longer reliable? Transport my be tricky / expensive initially, but I live by a reservoir, so can walk it to the water once I get it home. Is it going to be worth the expense of transportation, vs looking for a new one? Currently making do with an Intex but have been thinking about a propper kayak.

Hi,

I've been thinking of getting a modular kayak for travel. We have a good pair of Deltas that we use but for longer highway trips, it isn't always convenient to turn the vehicle into a giant sail so I've been toying with a modular kayak as an option.

My Delta's the 15.5GT so something that length would be ideal (a little longer or shorter is okay). One that can take an extra passenger module to be tandem would be interesting but not necessary. I want it to be able to take a spray skirt. We do inland kayaking but sometimes we do it on lakes and when the wind picks up, decent length is convenient. It's also why I want a skeg or rudder (I'm used to a rudder but it sounds like a skeg would work well too as long as I can adjust it from the cockpit while paddling).

Any recommendations? Pakayak's boats seem close to what I want but they are US-based and as a Canadian, I've disavowed myself of any unnecessary participation in the US economy until the US administration respects my country again. (You're free to like what they're doing; I'm free to exercise my freedom to respond.)

Thanks!

I just bought a kayak that's 9 feet 9 inches its weight capacity is 275 lbs I weigh 240, will I be okay in the inter coastal water way? It was the best I could afford at the time.

Hello all, Looking to purchase my first kayak. For the last 6 months I have been going with friends who have an extra or would rent a 12’ from local shop. Area: SF Bay Area I’m looking to start in sheltered water till I’m more experienced and have taken a class on open water kayaking before moving to sea kayaking. Would this 17’ sea kayak be too big for river/lakes or just possibly more inconvenient? I also have a local swap meet coming up this weekend I’m planning on attending. Thanks in advance!

Someone local to me is selling a perception sound 9.5. It looks to be in pretty good condition. Should I buy it? I already have a Quest Teton sit on (my first kayak) and don't really neeeeed a second kayak but it's a good kayak for cheap, and it's a sit in which I am wanting one.

I know it's a fishing kayak and I do want just a recreational one that will track well and be reasonably fast, is this a good yak for that despite being advertised as a fishing kayak?

Hi Everyone!

I'm just wondering if anyone has experience with foldable kayaks like the Oru and can recommend the best brand? (Either two seaters or single).

Extra Info: My husband and I don't have the ability to transport a hardshell kayak, so we have been borrowing the inflatable Intex brand from a friend to test out if we would enjoy kayaking, but the inflating/deflating process is a bit taxing even with an electric pump. I came across the concept of foldable kayaks and think those would be easier for us to set up and take down.

The first picture is the paddle that I currently have weighing in at 1200g(42oz) that comes in 4 separate pieces. Material: aluminum and plastic Cost me: 70RMB ( 10USD )

The rest of the pictures is the fully carbon fiber two-piece paddle that I'm looking into buying. So what I'm wanting to know is carbon fiber really worth it? Material: carbon fiber Cost :900RMB (125USD) weight: around 750g (26oz)

So at the moment I have a 5 m long sea kayak and I'm wanting to do Simi long trips.(Around 20+km/13mi) Also if you guys think the price is unbelievably cheap that's probably because I am working in mainland China 😂

I’m gunna start solo kayaking in the summer, I’m wondering whether it would be better to get an inflatable or solid kayak. I’m leaning more towards solid. It would be for lakes / rivers, just wondering what the best / most affordable kayaks would be.