Chocolates are da bomb! 

I enjoyed the old model hobie mirage tandem that I fished out of for a few years.  I upgraded one set of drive fins to the "turbo" fins that were available for the 1st gen drives and it made a difference.  The rudder on that model offered marginal control given its size.  The other consideration is how you wish to use it.  With two people it trucks along just fine but at times could feel a bit unstable (that said, I haven't been in other tandems with two people).  I did find that when using it solo, it did offer a lot of extra room up front for stuff which was great.  The downside was that with the weight in the back the front would rise up enough to both get slapped around a lot with any kind of chop, and with any cross wind would cause the boat to want to spin around a lot.  Without a drift sock or something, I was more relegated to having to troll more than being able to drift fish.  Of course, that could have been attributed to it being my first yak and I didn't play with it enough to figure out how to fish better out of it before I upgraded to an adventure island which worked out to be a way better platform for me given the kind of water therapy that is close to me.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.  I kept my old hobie (which I bought used) for a few extra years for friends and kin to use, and sold it for what I paid for it, so it worked out pretty well for me.

I have launched kayaks from HMB both trailered and via cart from the boat launch area many times.  Typically if you pull up to the left side of the launch (south side) that 3rd launch ramp is shallower and much less likely to be used by traditional boat on trailers.  Thus it isn't a problem to park, unload, and set up before walking down the ramp to launch.  I usually do all my prep, park the car/truck leaving the yak at the launch, and reverse on return without issue.  If you have a trailered yak and you launch it by hand/cart at the boat launch you can ask for a trailer pass at the harbor master office.  With it, you can then avoid the launch fee and/or ticket you might receive if you have an empty trailer in the parking lot...  HMB Kayak has become my go to though and they are cool about you using their hose and washdown area.  Same rules apply though if you have a trailer.  Empty trailer in parking lot without a launch fee receipt or the above mentioned trailer pass, and you may find yourself with a parking ticket.

Either way - It's pretty cool.  The DoD folks would find it an interesting shape for a future project.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/Smileys/Lots_O_Smileys/006.gif - Bumping this price down for NCKA members - get it before it goes

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/boa/d/san-mateo-duck-scull-boat/7277403369.html

Before I trailered my AI I did the roof rack routine on a 4rnr with factory racks.  Worked OK, but made sure to always use a bow and stern tie line to the the front and back bumpers or some other hold down location.  I have seen a few folks lose their load of goodies off the top.  Good luck on the search.

My first yak was a hobie mirage tandem with first gen drive.  Did replace the fins with the ST (square-tip) upgrade for that version drive which did improve performance a bit.  This boat was plenty stable for me and with two adults we could go go all day and for long distances.  Going solo could also do well but there were times, especially in the ocean that can be a bit of a challenge.  When solo the bow raises up quite a bit (I guess if I were lighter not so much...).  Anyway the rudder is very small for the size of the boat, and when the wind blows much it is much more difficult to keep on track unless it is a tail wind;-)    My two cents.

PM over to you...