Tandem Kayak Recommendations

[Brent Couvrette-Merrick]

Hi Fellow Paddlers,

My wife and I are looking into getting a tandem sea kayak.  We started looking around, and found the Seascape Expedition (http://www.nwkayaks.com/specs_seascapexped.htm), which meets our criteria of being stable, fast, and able to handle rough water.  We also found a tour company that sells slightly used ones for a discount (https://www.sea-quest-kayak.com/used-kayaks-for-sale/double-tandem-kayak-for-sale/).

However, even with the discount they are still $3500, so I was hoping to pick your collective paddler minds as to whether the Seascape Expedition is worth the cost, or if there is a cheaper, similar boat to look into?

Thanks,

Brent Couvrette-Merrick

[Duncan Cox]

Hi Brent 

We ended up getting a Delta T20 great price and works well. You are welcome to try it 

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[steve bennett]

If it were me, and cost was a factor, I'd  go to craigslist where right now there is a Seascape  Expedition for $1200.  You will also find there a Necky Nootka plus for $1900.  I would recommend the latter to a paddler of your skill. It is 2-3 inches narrower  than the Seascape.  I have one in which I have traveled from north Vancouver Island to Tulalip Bay.  Also a couple or three fun but non-stellar Sound Rowers races.  It is one of the faster recreational doubles. Both are heavy, at nearly 100 lbs. I think all the Nootkas are made of kevlar.  And I think you may find the Seascape to be a bit of a slug.

Good luck, Steve

[wkbar...@gmail.com]

Brent - I think it depends on how you plan to use the boat.  If you want a gear hauler that will last and last, the Seascape I think the Seascape is worth considering.  I don't have recent experience with NW Kayaks, but their build quality used to be top notch. For all I know it still is.  When my 17 year old was 4 we bought one of the very early Seascape 3s and recently sold it to a friend, still solid as a rock. 

But if you want to paddle fast, especially without a big gear load, I agree there might be better tandems.  I always really liked the Seda Tangos.  I don't have any experience with the Necky Nootka, but  folks I know like it.  

All these boats have, or at least used to have, poor rudder systems that utilize sliding foot braces for rudder control.  The first thing I did with our Seascape was retrofit it with a SmartTrack rudder system.

Best, 
Kent