most people say not to get the tandem. If you get the tandem, its very difficult to paddle by yourself. Plus most say 2 people fishing out of a yak can get a little cumbersome. There is a good selection of yaks that will accomodate a kid without any problems. One of those things that sounds good on paper but dont work to well in reality. My .02

 

With kids aged 6 & 2, I don't think they are ready for their own kayaks yet. A tandem is the only thing I'd be comfortable with.

 

At six my daughter could paddle my Tarpon 140 I would let her paddle around and after around 20-30 mins. she was ready to stop and I would paddle with her in the tankwell. Check out Malibu yaks they have a gator hatch for the front that has a seat built in it. Post up www.texaskayakfisherman.com.

 

i didnt mean get a yak for the kids, but rather there is sufficient room in a single to carry a child, but also allow you to go out solo in. I think it was a malibu yak that had a place for children to ride along in, but it was a single yak at heart

 

Definitely a single is the way to go. Tandems are un-maneuverable at best. My 14 year old daughter has been paddling a Tarpon 120 since I bought them a year and a half ago. The 6 year old needs to ride with you, though.

 

go over to www.texaskayakfisherman.com and do a search for tandem kayaks and see what has been posted there. but i would stay away from two seaters! just think of two people in a smaller canoe trying to fish and paddle together.

 

Check out out the Ocean Kayak Malibu II sounds like it'd fit the bill. Can hold up too 2 small children and can be paddeled comfortably by one person.

 

I just bought a OK Malibu II. It works great with me by myself and with my GF, tandem. I'm 260#. She's 140#. If you're a lot lighter than me it might be difficult to paddle solo. I've been in flat water in the bay and 2-3' on the beachfront and it has handled well.


Mark Duncan