We have compiled over 40 hours of research and writing time to find you the best kayak. Through our experiences and considering the average kayakers budget and experience we have found the Lifetime Sport Fisher Tandem Kayak to be the best deal out there at $500 and with the added benefit of having rigging for fishing in the case you ever decide to partake in the sport its unbeatable.
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Our Pick Lifetime Sport Fisher Tandem Kayak The Lifetime Sport Fisher offers the best overall tandem kayak features with solid design, great tracking, and the added benefit of converting into a fishing kayak if you want to try the sport. Check Latest Price |
| The Lifetime Sport Fisher was an easy choice when we thought of a good overall tandem kayak that would give a person everything they wanted while weighing in features, design and price. Sure there were more expensive models with more features and even better designs but once we came down to it nothing could beat the lifetimes price tag. The Lifetime Sport Fisher comes with different scupper holders for any fishing rods you may have. It comes with a very sturdy design that even allows your to stand up while kayaking. The seats are made of extra firm plastic that gives extended comfort and the storage space includes mesh at the front of your extra gear. The weight capacity is more than ample as-well. | |
| The k2 is the Cadillac of kayaks, its a roomy ride that rides smooth with great tracking and decent speed and maneuverability. The Kayak itself is very stylish with its yellow skirts and black patterns. The Intex Explorer K2 Inflatable Kayak is the perfect buy for the new kayaker that wants a plus one, regardless of its 10 inch length it provides a great ride that’s unbeatable at its price range. |  Check Latest Price |
For Tighter Budgets K2 Tandem Inflatable Kayak The standing champion in budget kayak the k2 offers a entry level inflatable kayak for tight pockets. |
| This kayak is one of the best multipurpose kayaks on the market today it can be used for any type of water including lakes and calm rivers and works great with two people without causing any speed of maneuverability problems. You can even rig this kayak for fishing. The kayak tracks well, paddles smoothly and works great with an anchor or trolley. If your looking for something a step up from the normal tandem the Ocean Kayak 12 ft Malibu should be your go-to kayak. | 
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Runner Up Ocean Kayak 12 ft Malibu Tandem The Malibu offers a bit of a more advanced and longer hard shell kayak that is perfect for the kayaker that wants something they can show off in! |
| Another inflatable model of tandem kayak that does not disappoint. Many know the sea eagle brand as a leader in inflatables and the 330 is their flagship tandem bestseller. The Sea Eagle 330 Inflatable kayak provides a super smooth ride on lakes and rivers and bounces off rocks without any damage to the boat. The boat tracks decently and meets all of the demands of whitewater as-well |  Check Latest Price |
Also Great Sea Eagle 330 Inflatable Kayak The sea eagle is another inflatable option perfect for the cottage or family trips out, it packs and unpacks quickly and efficiently. |
Best Tandem Kayak Report Card 2017
How to Choose a Tandem Kayak
A Tandem Kayak can come in two basic forms. They come as sit on top kayaks and sit inside kayaks and both 
are available as singles or doubles. They also can have hard shells or be inflatable’s.
Although there are some major difference between sit inside and sit on top kayaks they share many of the same parts. The top of the kayak is called the deck, the bottom is the hull, while the front is the bow and the back is the Stern. On top of the deck you’ll often find deck hinges or bungees. At the start of the kayak you should find black hoops and some kayak rudders move from side to side in the horizontal plane and some are controlled by foot pedals that simply drop straight in the water and help the kayak move straight.
The sit on top and sit inside tandem kayaks have seats and some form of back support. There are foothills which slide on a track to adjust for different size riders which are convenient because you’re going to be spending a full day on the water so using the foothills are a lot more comfortable and give you a lot more support.
The best kayaks also have a built-in backrest which makes sitting in a kayak a lot more comfortable.
The biggest difference between the two types of kayaks is that sit inside kayaks are enclosed, there is a cockpit where you sit. Around the cockpit is a place where you can attach a skirt to keep the water inside the cockpit. Within a tandem kayak you’ll find two seats and sometimes foot pedals which you can adjust according to your legs.
With hundreds of kayak options out there choosing a tandem kayak can be overwhelming but it doesn’t need to be and it’s hard to make the wrong decision.
The best way to narrow out your options is to :
Identify how and where you will be using your kayak.
Will you be paddling at a sheltered Laker out on the beach? Will the temperature of the water be warm Are you looking for a kayak that can travel quickly? Are you looking for a kayak that is stable and is difficult to tip over?
Your first and biggest decision is to go for a sit on top or sit inside tandem kayak and there are pros and cons for both.
Sit on top tandem kayaks are the most user-friendly. They are very stable and easy to get in and there’s no feeling of confinement. They are also self-bailing which means they have small holes like stopper holes that allow water to drain through them. Another thing about sit on top tandem kayaks is you can slip in and out of them as you please.
All these features make the sit on top kayak a great choice.
The downside of the sit on top model is that you’re guaranteed to get wet while paddling while sit inside kayaks of allow you to stay dry. Sit insides also shelter your lower body from the wind which make them much more beneficial for paddlers that want to be in cooler water and stay dry while paddling. One downside of the sit inside tandem boat is that you don’t have the same freedom to move inside of the water and if you do flip for some reason recovering is a hard process because you’re kayak will be filled with water. Sit on top recreational kayaks are very stable fun and easy-to-use. They have large cockpits so they are not confined and some even have waterproof compartments that are accessible through hatches in the deck.
You’ll need to decide on a length of your tandem kayak. 
There is a general rule the longer a narrower a kayak is the faster it will travel and the wider a kayak is, the more stable and slower it will be.
Sit on top tandem kayaks are considered recreational and are ultra-stable. Sit inside kayaks can vary a lot more in shape and size and purpose in fact sit inside kayaks can be broken into two distinct categories there are:
Recreational sit inside kayaks and then there are Sea kayaks.
The recreational boats are wider, shorter and have a big cockpit so they do not feel confining. The sea kayaks are longer, and narrower so that they travel faster. They also have a lot more control over the edge of the boat. The cockpits though are a lot smaller so they do tend to feel a lot more confining although it’s very easy to get in and out of these ones as well if speed is in that important to you might as well choose a shorter kayaks. They are lighter and easier to move around. Most tandem kayaks have a hard shell made from a durable plastic that will last forever and it doesn’t require much maintenance.
There are also tandem kayaks that are made from composition materials like fiberglass carving and Kevlar that make them significantly lighter. The downside is they don’t take abuse as well and they also tend to cost a lot more.
You’ll also have inflatable tandem kayaks. They are very comfortable to sit inside and they can be deflated and folded down and actually carried in a backpack. These kayaks are made from fabrics that are surprisingly durable. Inflatable kayaks are incredibly versatile.
Additionally thermal formed tandem kayaks are the new thing to hit the market they are gaining popularity because of their affordability, durability and weight.
Check Latest Tandem Kayak Prices
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Our Pick Lifetime Sport Fisher Tandem Kayak The Lifetime Sport Fisher offers the best overall tandem kayak features with solid design, great tracking, and the added benefit of converting into a fishing kayak if you want to try the sport. Check Latest Price |
| The Lifetime Sport Fisher was an easy choice when we thought of a good overall tandem kayak that would give a person everything they wanted while weighing in features, design and price. Sure there were more expensive models with more features and even better designs but once we came down to it nothing could beat the lifetimes price tag. The Lifetime Sport Fisher comes with different scupper holders for any fishing rods you may have. It comes with a very sturdy design that even allows your to stand up while kayaking. The seats are made of extra firm plastic that gives extended comfort and the storage space includes mesh at the front of your extra gear. The weight capacity is more than ample as-well. | |