RE: [Paddlewise] In Praise of Tandem Kayaks

 "James" wrote:


>>>>>>Doubles can be sociable, if you know how to get along with your
partner.
(But it is really hard for the stern paddler to hear the bow paddler
most of the time.)<<<<<< and a lot more



I agree with what James wrote but would like to add a couple of points. It is
also very hard for the bow paddler to hear the stern paddler as the bow
paddler's ears are facing the wrong way. To the stern paddler it seems that
the bow paddler should have heard them (because they are so close together)
but are just completely ignoring what was said. The stern paddler gets very
frustrated because they don't realize the bow paddler just didn't hear them or
has misinterpreted what was said.



My major grip against double kayaks is that when going into the wind the stern
paddler gets a face full of water with every second stroke. After pissing off
the bow paddler (who thought I was criticizing her stroke) by trying to see if
there was a stroke she was comfortable doing that wouldn't throw water into my
face I put on my sou'wester and practiced the "stroke, stroke, duck"
technique. If I had to paddle a double on a long trip again I think I'd carry
a canoe paddle for the bow paddler to use whenever going upwind.



Someone else already mentioned this, but the main reasons tour groups use
doubles are that they cut the number of boats they need to keep together in
half and they can change the crews around by putting weaker paddlers with
stronger paddlers so they can eliminate the stragglers (and rabbits). That
also makes it easier to keep the group together. All considered, I'd rather
paddle a single and sometimes have to tow another single than have to paddle
in a double all the time.
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