Forgive the newbie question, I could not find an answer for this via search.
Would I be missing out if I went with a shorter 18’ tandem like a WS polaris 180t, CD double vision, Delta 17.5t over a long 21’ tandem like a CD Unity, Libra XT, Passat G3?
My wife and I are not advanced paddlers, we would be paddling estuaries, bays, open ocean a couple miles from shore, but for day trips - we do not do overnight expeditions via kayak so do not value storage space much. We don’t surf etc, but would need to be able to launch on beaches through EZ to moderate surf at times. We are slow paddlers and do not usually paddle more than 8-10 miles in a day in our singles to give an idea of our level. We are okay synchronizing paddling, that part has not been an issue for us when we have rented short SOT tandems so far.
I do have the means to transport and store a 21’ kayak, but have a feeling more work would mean paddling less.
Also depends on the total load you are going to paddle with and the effective waterline of these boats. ~17 feet on the waterline can be fine with about < 550 lb aboard.
I think that the shorter boat would do just fine. Similar to single kayaks that have gotten shorter as people do less long expeditions, the same should hold true for tandems.
Some of the pros and cons:
Shorter boat usually means lighter boat if same material, so easier to handle off the water. Given how heavy tandems can be, this could be a big issue.
Speed likely wouldn’t be all that different between shorter and longer if the boat widths are are similar. If different, then a wider boat likely would be a bit slower.
Shorter boat would have you and your partner sitting closer together. At some point you would be close enough that your paddles may start hitting if you and your partner are out of sync. Having to be in sync can be challenging for many couples. Not having to worry about this can be a relationship saver.
Open ocean and surf can be committing. I would take classes on these in single kayaks before tackling in a tandem.
Long boats are more seaworthy, but they can be more difficult to control in waves, wind, and strong currents. You made two points that conflict: plan to paddle estuaries, bays, and open oceans a couple of miles from shore. Then you mentioned you are slow paddlers and only paddle 8 -10 miles per trip.
When paddling open water you must be thoroughly familiar with the conditions you’ll face and weather patterns. Both of you should carry a VHF radio with at least one tuned to the NOAA weather channel. How fast you paddle isn’t relevant, but it’s important to know how fast you “can” paddle and “how long you can sustain” it. If you can paddle at 3.6 mph but unexpectedly face a 3 mph current while in open water, you must be able to assess that condition without relying on visual cues to avoid burning out - rather than paddling an hour to get back to the launch site, it could take 6 hours or more to get back. To complicate matters, riding a 3 mph current while paddling at 3.6 mph could put you further away than you anticipated. Find a nautical chart of the area and become familiar with channel depth and distance to landmarks. Here’s a good book on kayak navigation to understand using ranges, estimating distances, strategies for countering drift, and more:
If you intend to explore, keep records of your trips, and make it a point to predict and understand conditions so you know what to expect when conditions deteriorate. Always anticipate that conditions can deteriorate. Don’t venture further from shore than you can confidently return safely.
When paddling in tidal areas where rivers meet larger bodies of water, such as a bay, sediment carried by the river will form deltas and shifting shoals. Mild conditions you face on the outgoing stage of your trip can change within 30 minites as the tide changes. Learn and understand your abilities and limitations. Before going to unfamiliar areas, ask local paddlers for specific details about the area.
Test the kayak before buying it. Buy a kayak that is comfortable. I’ve never paddled a tandem, but believe the team will only be as good as the slowest paddler, because the person in the rear seat has to match the cadence of the person in front; synchronization is critical, as is a sense of balance. The difference between traveling in two solo kayaks and a tandem is that you don’t have a partner in a separate boat to assist in recovery.
Reminds me of the story of two canoe designers, where one said that longer was better and the other one replied: why didn’t you design a longer boat then?
