Hello All,

I have for the last couple months been doing some research on buying a tandem kayak. It's primary use will be for the times that my wife and I want to go out, or if I go out with my St. Bernard mix and some over-night supplies for camping. I have a feeling I'll probably be using it solo at least 50% of the time gear / possible dog.

I am 6'4" weighing in at just shy of 200lbs.

Most trips will be in either lakes or slow current rivers.

I have narrowed down my choices to the following:

1) Old Town Twin Otter
2) Dagger Blackwater 13.5
3) Perception Acadia II 14.0

I've done a lot of research on all 3. I like the weight of the Old Town, but I like the weight capacity of the Acadia II. Which because of my feeling about the Old Town and the Acadia I lean towards the Dagger because it seems to be between the two. Plus it has the stern bulkhead as does the Perception.

I'm a little worried about the Dagger or the Perception due to the weight. I'm not so worried about getting them to the water since I have a trailer that I'll be dropping it right into but worried about how they'll handle in the water by myself.

Unfortunately where I live the only one of the above that I've gotten to try is the Old Town but I plan on making the drive to at least sit in the Dagger & Acadia.

Looking for anyone who might have tried any of these out in the water. More specifically used solo since I will be using it that way quite a bit as well.

I really appreciate any input I can get on this.

There could be some people here who can help with tandem kayak advice, but you'll probably find more help on the paddling.net site, because many users here are whitewater kayakers. The camping and flatwater kayakers tend to go here:

www.paddling.net/message/showTopics.html?fid=advice

There's also reviews of tandem boats on that site, here:

www.paddling.net/Reviews/

In my experience, most kayakers don't recommend a tandem boat -- they're known in some places as "marriage breakers." Although Jackson has just launched a tandem whitewater kayak, which some people seem to love: www.jacksonkayak.com/kayaks/product.cfm?product=dynamicduo

But you might want to look at the new Native Watercraft tandem kayak, which has removable seats, so you can make it a solo boat with lots of room just by taking out the second seat:

www.nativewatercraft.com/marvel_14T_lg.cfm

All poly tandem boats that I've seen are heavy. Performance in the water is not something you're likely to find in a tandem boat, except maybe the Jackson Duo. You'd have to get into expensive composite boats to get any performance, and then you're not talking about a boat you'd put your dog into. . . .

I appreciate the info / links.

I just spent some time looking at the MArvel 14.5 Tandem from the Native Water Craft link you posted and I do like how much lighter that kayak is.

At this point I am pretty much looking at either the Native Water Craft or the Dagger.