Can One Person Use A Two Person Kayak? It’s Not As Simple As You Think

A lot of people ask – can one person use a two person kayak?

Traditionally, kayaks were a one-person water vehicle. Back in the day, you need a kayak for yourself and for a friend, if you want to go kayaking together.

But nowadays, there are tandem kayaks that can accommodate two people.

Thus, you may be wondering if it is completely safe if you use a two-person kayak just for yourself? Or would it be difficult to navigate?

Keep reading to know what the risks (if there are any) in going solo in a two-person kayak. This way, you can have the best experience while in the waters.

What’s a Two Person Kayak Great For?

Do you want to go kayaking with your child?

Or perhaps you want to tag your pet along on a kayak?

Then, a tandem kayak is perfect for these purposes. You can rely on this kayak to accommodate two people, depending on the weight capacity of your vehicle.

Additionally, it is easier to pick up speed when you are paddling with another person. This allows you to reach your destination quickly and will require much less effort than paddling by yourself.

When you are an expert paddler but the other person is not, a two person kayak is an outstanding way to go. You can even teach him or her how to have better control with the steering and paddling.

On the flip side, a tandem kayak does not give you much control as a solo or single-person kayak. You no longer need to remain in sync with your companion’s paddling since you’re the only one doing the job.

If you want something lighter, then a tandem kayak can be a bit of a burden for you. Since it can hold more than one person, you can expect it to weigh more. This makes it tougher when loading it in your vehicle.

A single- person kayak, however, is easier and more hassle-free to carry all by yourself. Thus, it should be a breeze to bring along when you are traveling. Tandems are more difficult to transport than regular kayaks owing to their size, bulkiness, and weight. A decent roof rack is essential, but if you have a lot of kayaks, a specialized kayak trailer may be preferable.

Can One Person Use a Two Person Kayak?

Now, as for the question of whether one person can use a two person kayak or not, the answer is Yes, you can.

There should be no issue using a tandem kayak if you are paddling alone.

In fact, you can use the extra space for your personal items. Since no one is occupying the other space, then you can pretty much place your camping gears, supplies, or fishing equipment (in case you are doing kayak fishing).

But there is a bit of a drawback to using a tandem kayak by yourself.

For the most part, it is heavier.

I already mentioned previously about how heavy a two person kayak is in comparison to a solo kayak.

So, if you are paddling alone, you will find it tougher to navigate and direct your kayak where you want it to go. Not that it is impossible to do so. However, you can expect it to use up more of your energy when making a turn or moving forward.

Next, it is trickier to get it set up. From the moment you load it up on your vehicle and take it down to your preferred kayaking spot, a two person kayak is much harder to use.

The extra load is a challenge for many people who are doing the loading and unloading by themselves. This is why if you plan on kayaking alone, it makes perfect sense to buy a solo kayak instead of a two person kayak.

You will find it more convenient to get up and go quickly with a lighter and more portable single person kayak. It is all a matter of what your purpose is and whether you are planning on paddling by yourself more often or with another person.

Maintaining Balance is A Necessity

A two person kayak is generally longer and designed to hold more than one paddler.

This is why it is hard to maintain balance if you are just alone in the kayak.

When the vehicle is not balanced, this adds to the difficulty of operating it correctly.

You may have a tough experience navigating into the water and avoiding obstacles that come your way. In the end, it can be a more strenuous activity than when you use a solo kayak or you have someone to help you paddle this vehicle.

Read More: Is Kayaking Safe For Non Swimmers? Important Things You Need to Know

Check out this video to learn more about how you can stay safe when kayaking, especially in a two-person kayak.

What Are Your Best Options?

Let us say you are not quite sure if you want to paddle alone or with a companion.

What’s a perfect type of kayak for you to buy?

I would suggest that you choose a convertible tandem kayak. There are inflatable kayaks that you can convert from a tandem to a solo kayak in just a matter of minutes.

In this case, you will be able to transition from going solo or with a friend during your kayak adventure.

With a convertible kayak, you can move the seats around to turn it from a single person to a two-person vehicle. This also helps to keep the kayak balanced regardless of the number of riders on board.

Final Thoughts

Kayaking is a relaxing and enjoyable activity for people of all ages. You can either paddle solo or with a friend, depending on the type of kayak you have.

If you are planning on using a two person kayak alone, be sure to consider these points I have just mentioned. By doing so, you can ensure safety while in the water while making the most of your time while kayaking!