I built Nick's Great Auk Tandem. It is a fairly easy build because it doesn't have a pronounced lift in the front making it easier for first time builders (less bending and fewer cheater strips). It turned out to be a fairly fast boat that was, to me, so stable it was boring. Perfect for everyone that ever paddled in it regardless of experience. I built a second faster stitch and glue tandem of my own design for ultra-marathon racing and have built a couple of tandems for friends.

My wife has her own single but she almost always asks for me to take down the tandem when we paddle together. That is because she knows that I paddle all the time and that she doesn't so she can't keep up when in her single. She also knows that when she gets tired she can rest while I keep us moving forward or I can get us back if she bonks. I am always happy to have her company so I am glad to have a tandem if that's what it takes. Otherwise, she would paddle a lot less.

One thing I have done to every tandem I have made is to put the rudder pedals in the front. It just makes sense to me to let the person in the front do the steering. The one in the front has an uninterrupted view and will more likely take the correct path around semi hidden obstacles. It also keeps my wife's attention on what we are doing and keeps her more interested. Most important is that she also doesn't get to complain to me that I went left when she told me to go right. :-)

We will always have a tandem at our house and I will always have a single for me to do my solo trips too.

Kyle T