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DanA75
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Registered: 08-2005
Location: Glenmore Park
Posts: 14
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Tandem Kayak Solo?
Hi,
Am looking at getting a Kayak, am wondering..how hard would it be to paddle a tandem kayak instead of a single person kayak..am thinkin of doing this just in case my wife wants to come out for a paddle every now and then.
Thanks
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14/Aug/2005, 8:55 pm
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The Mariner
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Location: Adelaide, Australia
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Re: Tandem Kayak Solo?
Howdy.. Welcome to the forum 
Paddling a kayak meant for 2 on your own can be a real chore as your weight will be biassed to one end of the boat and un-balance it. You have a few of options:
1).. Put up with it but it'll slowly eat at you & make you bitter !
2).. Carry a 20l container you can fill with water & stick in the front, or if you buy a Perception Swing Double with a rear pod you can fill the pod with water & sit in the front ****pit. This will try to re-gain some of the balance but it means you'll be paddling the extra dead weight. Thanks to 'Sam60' for the idea about using the pod.
3).. Get a tandem that 2 people can paddle but will allow you to move a seat more into the centre for better balance when solo. Ocean Kayak's Malibu 2 & Cabo both have a central depression in the deck that is meant to allow this or you can simply use a traditional tandem & add the extra position yourself if the deck layout allows it. I think it would be possible on a Cobra Tandem & I know it is on the Malibu Pro 2 tandem but you may be sitting on the big rectangular hatch lid.
4).. Get a 3-person kayak so you can use the front & rear seats when there are 2 people or the centre position when there's only you. Expect a 3-seater to cost more & weigh more 'coz it's a bigger boat. The Feel Free Tri-Yak would probably be the cheapest 3-seater around at around $1100.00. I haven't paddled one so I cannot vouch for their performance or their ability to be fitted with rod holders etc. if you need them.
The weight on dry land of a tandem kayak will always be an issue to move yourself but you can buy or make a cart for under the back to make moving from A to B a lot easier, but lifting it up onto the car will always be a chore on your own.
My advice... get 2 solo boats. That way you won't be hampered by a bigger-than-it-needs-to-be kayak when kayaking on your own, it's easier to load & transport 2 x solo boats than 1 x tandem boat & when your wife comes out with you you can paddle side-by-side & talk instead of her looking forward all the time & you talking to the back of her head.
Hope this helps !
--- Regards,
Phil.
Forum Administrator.
Visit www.hookedonkayaks.com.au for kayaks and kayak fishing accessories. |
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15/Aug/2005, 10:20 am
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Bruce Almighty
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Location: Frenchs Forest, Sydney
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Re: Tandem Kayak Solo?
Phils advice is spot on. If you can manage it , go for 2 kayaks. I have a Cabo (Ocean Kayak tandem) which is fantastic for going out with the wife and kids but it is a real beast to manage on your own.
If you do decide to run with a Cabo here are some of the pros and cons.
The good news: The Cabo is great with 2 people, tracks well, is relatively fast, can carry plenty of weight, has a position in the middle of the kayak that you can set up comfortably for solo trips and has plenty of storeage.
The bad news: It is a very awkward to manage out of the water on your own (5M long and 35Kg), foot pedals for the rudder are generally set up for the rear seat so when you go out alone you can't use the rudder...well, I guess you probably could, I just haven't worked out how yet, main storeage is at the front and rear of the kayak..a long way from the middle if out on your own, if you set up the kayak for tandem fishing, you need to think carefully about how you rig up so that rod positions etc suit when you go out alone.
Having said all that the Cabo is a lot of fun going solo. The trade off is manouverability and the perfect solo fishing yak with something that manages the tandem side well and the solo trips with a little extra effort.
Good luck
Neil C
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15/Aug/2005, 7:59 pm
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DanA75
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Registered: 08-2005
Location: Glenmore Park
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Re: Tandem Kayak Solo?
Thanks,
Appreciate the reply, makes a lot of sense...
Have mentioned to my wife that she can take the one I get for a spin a few times and if she likes it we can get another, just for yakking as she wouldnt fish from one.
I am now looking at getting a HoK Espri, not sure if you are affiliated with HoK or not as it is in your link, how do you think this would be for lake, impoundment, or somewhere like just out of Sydney Heads or even along the edge of the surf.
Have emailed them anyhow asking of store location and on water trial etc.
Last edited by DanA75, 15/Aug/2005, 8:50 pm
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15/Aug/2005, 8:11 pm
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The Mariner
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Re: Tandem Kayak Solo?
Hi Dan,
Yep, that's me  HoK = Hooked on Kayaks.
The Espri would suit you for those waters you describe as long as you aren't too tall, too heavy & don't want to paddle for mile after mile. 'Milt' here on the forum has an Espri so hopefully he'll offer some comments. If not, send him a quick PM.
I have answered your other e-mail'd questions by return. Please feel free to PM or e-mail me if you'd like more info.
--- Regards,
Phil.
Forum Administrator.
Visit www.hookedonkayaks.com.au for kayaks and kayak fishing accessories. |
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15/Aug/2005, 10:26 pm
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DanA75
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Location: Glenmore Park
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Re: Tandem Kayak Solo?
How would the Viking Fisherman compare to the customised espri...maybe i should just go for the pre built one.
Heh..I am getting confused now..decisions, decisions.
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16/Aug/2005, 9:45 am
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The Mariner
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Re: Tandem Kayak Solo?
Hi Dan,
I just replied to your e-mail'd questions on this issue so I won't reply again here. Maybe other Viking owners (yes, there are a few on this forum) might like to post their comments here so you can get a decent cross-section of advice.
--- Regards,
Phil.
Forum Administrator.
Visit www.hookedonkayaks.com.au for kayaks and kayak fishing accessories. |
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16/Aug/2005, 10:32 am
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DanA75
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Registered: 08-2005
Location: Glenmore Park
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Re: Tandem Kayak Solo?
Thanks,
Got your reply..appreciate it, I would love to hear from other Viking owners
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16/Aug/2005, 11:59 am
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The Mariner
Owner/Administrator
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Registered: 12-2004
Location: Adelaide, Australia
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Re: Tandem Kayak Solo?
No worries Dan.
If no-one posts comments, try PM'ing them. 'Milt' has an Espri and 'Zaphod66' & 'Noosanic' have a Tempo. There may be others but I just cannot remember any... must be getting old.
There are also other kayak choices depending on your budget, height/weight etc. so don't be afraid to ask questions and look at all the options before you decide.
--- Regards,
Phil.
Forum Administrator.
Visit www.hookedonkayaks.com.au for kayaks and kayak fishing accessories. |
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16/Aug/2005, 12:36 pm
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Milt
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Registered: 01-2005
Location: Melbourne suburb Bundoora
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Re: Tandem Kayak Solo?
Hey Dan,
I own an Espri and am very happy with its stability and performance. The questions I have for you to help you make your decision are:
Are you buying your yak for fishing purposes mostly or can you ever see yourself doing the camping thing for a few days? The reason I ask is this: if i were to have my time again I'd purchase a yak with a little more deck space than the Espri as I love my gadgets and fishing.
If you anticipate you will be camping as well then choose a kayak which has roomy internal storage departments. The yaks like the Viking tempo fisherman and the Malibu range on Phill's website are fantastic for fishing as the have lots of deck space and really handy wells for storage of fish. They are great for tieing down gear as well so its not all around your feet.
Another qusetion for you to answer is will you be anchoring at all or drifting? Some yaks have an anchor well in front of yor feet, which is a great feature!
Hope I haven't confused you more, over to you.
Milt,
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22/Aug/2005, 9:30 am
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