First kayak-Tandem Pros and Cons

I'm getting close to buying my first kayak and have been leaning toward the Hobie Outfitter. Any thoughts on the benefits/disadvantages of a tandem? And/or the mirage system for 6'-6" 230 lb guy like me? I fish, dive, and crab. The wife and son fish too, and it would be fun to buddy up when they want. I have several fishing buddies and some of them wiegh more than I do-250, etc. I've heard that fishing solo in a tandem you need to add some wieght, cooler, etc., to the front to keep the nose down. What do tandems fish like with two?

IMO fishing tandem sucks.
My first kayak was a tandem. I would be paddling along and my son would lean over to one side or the other to look at something and almost tip us over.
It is hard for the person in the back to hear the person in the front. They don't call them 'divorce boats' for nothing.
You also give up your freedom with a tandem as opposed to having 2 singles.
When paddling single in a tandem and the wind kicks up it can really push the bow around unless you bring along a ton of unnecessary gear to balance things out.
A tandem is usually heavier than a single and not as fast as a single either.
A tandem is harder to resell than a single.
Remember, just my opinion. You have to do what is best for you and your situation.

Yep.  By a cheapo single for when they want to come.

I have the Hobie Outfitter tandem.  It's my first yak and I don't think I would buy another.  Unfortunately, I wasn't aware of NCKA when I purchased it a little over a year ago, so I didn't seek the advice of the many seasoned yak fishermen on the board.  I bought the tandem, thinking my teenage son would like to fish with me. (stupid Dad) As soon as he found out that peddling or paddling were "work" he decided against fishing with me.  The boat moves very nicely with two people peddling but communication between the tow peddlers can be difficult.  On the positive side: it's great to have so much room up front.  I usually have an ice chest and if the weather changes, it's a great place to throw a jacket or sweatshirt and they stay pretty dry.  I haven't fished the Bay and I'm not sure I will but the wind issue mentioned has not been a problem in the Delta or any of the local lakes.  Maybe it's my ice chest providing the needed ballast up front.  I also have the Hobie sail kit and it has been great for traveling back to the launch area at Del Valle in the afternoons.  The trip from the dam to the docks is effortless with the sail deployed.  I think the space up front would be a great place to put a large Halibut or Sturgeon but I'm not sure the space for storage outweighs the other issues.  I'm still kind a of a newbie to Kayak fishing and don't pretend to be an authority on any of the related issues but thought the input of a tandem owner might have some value.  The extra weight can be an issue but I only weigh about 185 and I haven't had any difficulty getting it on or off the top of my Honda Accord.  I use a Yakima rack with hullie rollers and Mako saddles.

Martin

OK, I agree with all that has been said. I actually started kayaking with an OK Malibu 2XL because it was dirt cheap at an REI garage sale and my wife and I had rented a tandem on vacation and had a great time. I also had teenage kids and they had fun paddling with their friends. After a few years the kids went away to college and my wife lost interest in paddling the tandem after I had 2 singles, so I sold the tandem because I wanted to make room for a Hobie Revo. Then I got a dog and other family issues came up and everyone was missing the tandem so I ended up buying another Malibu 2XL for twice what I sold the first one for.  To make a long story short, here is where a tandem comes in handy...

#1 You have young kids or a dog
#2 You entertain or have parties with water activities
#3 You have teenagers with significant others
#4 You want to spend time on the water with your wife/GF, but she isn't interseted in paddling
#5 You want to take newbies fishing often

The bottom line is that you have to pick a kayak based on your personal and family needs. I personally think that tandems can be a good first step.

scott

Thanks for the input. I can see a tandem not really being the best way to go for just harder core fishing; but being good if there is a fair certainty of wanting/needing to go with two for a range of activities including just cruising.

It's hard to predict now, but if you believe that you will be fishing alone more than half the time, I think you are better off with a single.

I am in search of a single; switching over from my OK Malibu II (tandem).

If you decide on a tandem and is interested in an affordable Malibu II as an experiment, PM me.

Joe

I just got an outfitter for the wife.  It is a nice well made boat.  It was bought for her and my daughter though, and their recreation while I fish off my P13.  I think a lot of thought went into the boats layout and construction, it is very plush.  However the boat is HEAVY.  I put it in the back of the truck, and have not tried it on my roof racks yet.  There is no way I could lift it very high solo, just something to consider.  The outfitter is pretty wide at 34", and is pretty stable.  However at the price of the outfitter, you could easily buy 2-3 regular fishing kayaks, and have one for a loaner.

If you are going to be fishing alone alot, listen to the above advise and get a solo.  SBD and Tote know what they are talking about. 

Matt