New folks in Oakland

Hi everyone. New to the site and looking forward to learning from others and hopefully getting on the water soon.

We're in a unique situation I guess in that we don't yet own a kayak. I've been hooked on the idea since I first saw a bunch heading out of Salt Point last year. We demo'd a couple last weekend and have narrowed it down to a Hobie Compass Duo or Oasis. interested in feedback from others who have tried, or own, either of these. The plan is to take them out on both saltwater and fresh.

Thanks in advance!

Welcome to NCKA Oakland 

You sure you want a tandem?
You're going to be a deckhand every time if it's with you SO 

Kidding aside welcome 

Welcome to the site Oakland!!!

There is a joke around here that tandem kayaks are also called divorce kayaks.    But if you've done it and survived it, probably doesn't apply to you.  But it's also often way better to have two vs a tandem.  Don't want to be discouraging or anything, but it's a good idea to also try out some single kayaks to compare with.

Welcome to NCKA Oakland.   

Welcome to the site Oakland!!!

There is a joke around here that tandem kayaks are also called divorce kayaks.    But if you've done it and survived it, probably doesn't apply to you.  But it's also often way better to have two vs a tandem.  Don't want to be discouraging or anything, but it's a good idea to also try out some single kayaks to compare with.

You must have been somehow watching from the shore this last weekend as we were learning, on the fly, to throw the mirage drives in reverse for the first time? I can promise you it wasn't out of a Hobie how-to video.

Good to consider. We had toyed with the idea of singles. One concern I did have with a tandem is stability with swells or a little chop. I was thinking a tandem might not have as much resilience as a single but I have no experience to back that up.

I'd just say that it's a lot easier to have two, than to put two in one.  Not that you have to go off on your own direction, but you have all the comfort and "less" arguments    It's also a choice of how often will both of you want to go vs one of you.  A single in a tandem isn't impossible, but it's not ideal for most.  If you plan on going out a lot, a tandem makes lots of sense.  If you plan on doing that every so often, rent it and get yourself a kayak. 

I just saw a duo oasis for sale up north

https://humboldt.craigslist.org/boa/d/blue-lake-hobie-tandem-kayak/7359345542.html

Thats a lot of boat!

I go out with my wife sometimes and we prefer to use 2 kayaks. We had a tandem (paddle) for awhile and it was pretty annoying for a variety of reasons (tangles, limited deck space, etc.). A few years ago I got 2 outbacks and sold the tandem as soon as I could. It has been much more enjoyable ever since. Also, it is safer to have 2 kayaks in the event that one takes on water or has some other catastrophe.

Welcome to the site Oakland!!!

There is a joke around here that tandem kayaks are also called divorce kayaks.    But if you've done it and survived it, probably doesn't apply to you.  But it's also often way better to have two vs a tandem.  Don't want to be discouraging or anything, but it's a good idea to also try out some single kayaks to compare with.

lol never heard this joke but my when I asked my wife about tandem kayaking, she wisely said "I have a feeling I'd enjoy being able to steer myself where I want"

I know she's right on that point too haha