Tandem Kayak Advice

Hey this is my first post here and I need some advice on what Tandem Kayak will be the best fit for me. I want a tandem to use for freediving NorCal. I only have room for one Kayak and the tandem inflatable I have now needs to be replaced (Im going to plastic). I’m 6’2” and 220. I want to be able to paddle solo and with another 120# freediver when needed. I narrowed it down to three. If you can suggest another one that would be great but I need something that’s 14’ or less. Please let me know what model looks like the best fit for my needs/size. Thanks for the help.

http://www.malibukayaks.com/kayak_tandem.asp
http://www.oceankayak.com/kayaks/tandems/malibu_two.html
http://www.hobiecat.com/kayaking/models_kona.html

at 6'3" and 275 lbs I looked long and hard and puchased a tarpon T13 a couple 4 years ago and have been pretty happy with it. All Tandums are beast compared to most fish killer Yaks. the 13t is wide, heavy and slow but most tandums are. I raely paddle it with a partner but am pretty comfy solo. lots of ondeck storage 2 small 6' tupperware style hatches and good wt capacity.
http://www.wildernesssystems.com/product/index/products/recreational/recreational_tarpon/tarpon_130t_recreational
 I must admit I have never met another T13  owner so I think its a odd duck kind of deal. says alot about me!!!
Randall

By the way WTTM!

Buy a good yak for yourself, and a used beater for the occasional user.  There is no tandem that paddles well solo...btdt.

You don't want to freedive off a tandem with another person, the boat tips a lot when someone gets in/out and makes it more likely to tip into the water.  Tandems are usually less stable than single person kayaks when two people are on them, add 80lbs of gear and it's VERY tippy.  Like Sean said, get two boats or let your partner use the inflatable you already have.

I've been using a Cobra Fish n Dive--mostly for fishing.  It has lots of cargo space both inside and on top.  It also has a jump seat for a 2nd diver.  It's very stable, but slow and klunky in the water--also very heavy to haul or drag across the sand.  Wheeleez are essential.  I think it might be an ok choice for an occasional double trip.  I have hauled a passenger with it and it seems to me about as klunky with as without.  Never had any problems scrambling back aboard.   

I have a Malibu 2.  I've tandem dove it a couple times but never very far from the launch and in FAC conditions.  With 2 dudes plus gear and fish its real easy to get cramped, the below deck hatches are pretty small and worthless so everything has to be stored above deck and leashed down(the xl has bigger hatches so it'd probably work better). Get used to paddling with gear in your lap. Also, as previously stated, it can get tippy, especially when trying to re-enter the yak with another diver already onboard. 

I've dove it as  a single as well and still found the storage to suck.  It also paddled like a pig and was a pita to move around on land (really wide bulky yak).  Very stable though.

Bottom line, I got my bu2 dirt cheap when I didn't have the cash or need for a decent solo paddler so I made it work.....but.....it sucked as a tandem dive yak and sucked equally as much as a solo dive yak.

SBD gave the best advice, buy yourself something good.  Give the inflatable to your buddy and make him find storage for it.

I have a malabu two it is too small of a boat for my brother and I to dive from I am about 230 he is about 250 and it was like trying to sit on a tennes ball.  It is slow to paddle alone but is stable to dive from. Down side is there is no below deck storage to speak of.

I have a Malibu 2 and Cobra Tandem.  I fish/dive the North Coast (Salt Point to Elk) and the Cobra is a much better platform for diving/fishing.  Very stable kayak and easy to get in/out of while diving.  We typically have it loaded with 480lbs+ of divers/gear and have never had any problems.  I also use it for fishing solo and it works fine.  Tracks better if you have some weight in the front.  Have flipped the Malibu 2 many times with the same amount of weight and storage is limited to the top of the boat. 

If you have to get a tandem get a Cobra Triple. Mine holds two 200 pound men and all dive gear in rough water. Davew atched us do it. It's slow but a tandem doesn't work for two grown men and dive gear in mho

A tandem can work for two, you just need the right boat and be in sync with your dive partner. I dove off a Tsunami tandem made in Redding, Ca. it was a Kevlar/Carbon hull w/ rudder and that thing was fast, stable, and never tipped. We launched it at Elk and paddled North a few miles. The other boat is the Cabo made by Ocean Kayaks, with a rudder it's a great boat, a bit heavy but stable. Both are over your length limit but a good tandem will be. IMHO

Ranger Jim

I like my OK Ambush. It is big, but it does pretty much anything I want to do, and the trolling motor makes life easy.

I bought an OK Zest 2 at the REI sale this year for a family boat. I have paddled it solo a few times diving before the wife or kids arrive a few hours later for the recreation. IMO it paddles fine solo although I wouldn't recommend it for going 5 miles or more solo. I've dove off it twice with another ab diver and with abs and gear and 2 adults in the 180# range it's fine. Yes, it can be tippy when you're on it and your partner climbs aboard, but you just have to plan for that. It is definitely more stable than my Scupper Pro, though that is my favorite boat for solo. The Zest is really fast with 2 paddlers. We've had 2 adults and 2 kids on several times; no problem. The weight is the only drawback; 70 pounds+. I don't like loading and unloading. But that's what helps with the stability I think.