Going Tandem???????/

[grahng]

Ugg, I had a Necky looksha sport a few years ago and loved it. I sold it :(
What is out there that may compare today. I want a ruder on it.

Secondly, I sold my Necky as my wife would not go with me and I got bored. I want to try to get her to go but of course need a tandem boat. suggestions please.Thank you,
Jerry in Florida

[rcurry]

I would suggest borrowing or renting a couple of solo boats and see how your wife likes the independence of her own boat before investing in a tandem. (It may just be me…but I don’t like tandem paddling. Tandem kayaks are also referred to as “divorce boats” or “fuss ‘n paddle”, lol.)
At the very least borrow or rent a tandem to see if everything goes smoothly for the two of you in one kayak. It’s great if it works for you! We all have our personal preferences and that’s what makes the world interesting. Best wishes!

[grahng]

Thanks for your thoughts. I agree with you. Actually, my gut feeling is she isn't going to go for it either way. Kayaking, camping, etc., are not things she really isn't into. That's not really an issue with us as we have other things we enjoy doing together. I suppose I just need to do a single if anything. I had thought if I got a tandem that would work recreationally as a single, I'd give that a try. From what I know however, that probably isn't a very realistic way to go. Following this line of thought, any suggestions on a boat?

Have a good one,
Jerry

[rcurry]

If the boat you sold was a good fit for you why not purchase another one? If you like the idea of something different from the Necky, check with some of the closest retailers to see if they have demo days at a local water spot. Do any of your friends have kayaks? I always like to try out everybody's different boats. You just never know when you will get in one and it will be like baby bear's soup, "just right"! :D

[Avid Kayaker]

I understand grahng, My husband will not go out either. I have never tried tandem. Would that be a good way for the hubby to give it a try?:confused: Where would be best to seat him, or better yet who has control of the boat?
Thanks in advance for your help.

[grahng]

I understand grahng, My husband will not go out either. I have never tried tandem. Would that be a good way for the hubby to give it a try?:confused: Where would be best to seat him, or better yet who has control of the boat?
Thanks in advance for your help.

I have tried tandem withmy wife. In more discussion with her, she is just not interested at all. Generally, the person in the back is the one that stears the boat and in many instances the one that really does all the paddling in place of another that is just out for a ride. I think it wouuld be good if you can try a tandem with your husband just to see what he thinks. It may give him some desire to try kayaking more. My wife won't go camping either. I use to live in Tennessee before I met her. I backpacked, camped, hiked, anything outdoors. Now I'm stuck here in Florida with no one to do those things with. Good luck and let me know how it goes. Jerry

[rcurry]

I have discovered that shorter trips are best when taking anyone that is not a huge fan of paddling or is a first time paddler.

A wise man (canoe & kayak outfitter) once told me that it is best to leave them wanting more paddling time verses keeping anyone out on the water so long that they over do it and never want to venture out again. Solo boats can give the paddler a bigger sense of control so they make their own decisions.

Put the new paddler at ease, allow them to pace the trip and keep it short and sweet.

Wouldn’t it be great if all of our spouses loved to paddle as much and as often as we do! I appreciate that my Husband goes every now and then with me. But to be honest about it I don’t want to insist or push too much. He may turn the tables on me and insist I attend particular sporting events that he loves but bore me to death.

Somehow we manage to find that happy medium in sharing our various interests. Ain’t love grand!:D

[Avid Kayaker]

Thanks for your comments and suggestions..I will give that a try. It would be nice if we went together every now and again...but I certainly don't expect him to go out kayaking all the time. It just might work though. I actually got him to go snowshoeing with me last week (finally) and he said "it wasn't that bad"! can't wait for the ice to melt!

[grahng]

How are things going? Are you able to go kayaking at all this time of year? I think the snowshoeing would be fun. Have never tried that but I'm always up for anything like that outdoors. its begining to get warm down here now. By the way, are you on Face Book? it's been a pretty cool place for finding freinds for doing those same kinds of things we do. Clubs, etc. Good luck with our husband and the kayaking. Jerry (jerry6075@yahoo.com)

[Avid Kayaker]

Living in Central Ontario, Canada means that there is no winter kayaking here unless you want to put skis on the kayak,. Though at minus 30 and lower it really isn't worth it!;) That's why the snowshoeing thing works well.

I have a new kayaking website (www.recreationalkayaking.com) but I haven't moved to facebook yet. It is in the plans though. Thanks for your comments.

[Ozarkwoods]

Might want to look at the Point 65 modular SOT when she is with you you add a section.

I personally would not go with a tandem. I bought a SOT Tarpon for my wife and one for me. She is not a avid biker, backpacker, or tent camper.

But once she got out on the kayak, she loves it. She just out of the blue last year said, "Honey I love you, thank you"....I asked her why was she thanking me....she said, "for buying the kayak for her and getting her out on the water".

Get your wife out on a nice leisure paddle not too long but just out....she might surprise you. Once you get hooked it's hard not to go out and paddle.