Transforming single to tandem

Submitted byDan Gallagher onTue, 05/21/2019 - 22:34

Dan Gallagher

Tue, 05/21/2019 - 22:43

Sorry for not completing my new message.

I built the above Guillemot 17'  several years ago and them made 2 more single kayaks. What I'd like to do is convert the single to a double.  First is it possible. I'd also consider converting it to a one big cockpit kayak with two seats.  Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I am not familiar with that kayak but it seems short and narrow for a tandem.  Generally tandems need a little more stability unless both paddlers sync really well.  Draft is another concern, if you want to put a couple 190 pounders in there I think you would be well above the designed payload.  if you want to be able to have a child with you or a small dog that doesn't jump around I think it could work well.  If you do one hole that is a big hole so you would need to reinforce the perimeter of the hole in some way like using a super beefy cockpit riser and coming.  If you did two holes you would probably want to cut off the deck and design a new one.  You could probably cut out the cockpit and use the existing deck as a form and then cut it out and install the new deck.  It would be a lot more efficient than the plastic tubs they sell for paddling.

 

JohnAbercrombie

Wed, 05/22/2019 - 14:28

I think there was an article in SeaTrek (Australian -Victorian- sea kayak club newsletter) about converting a glass single to a double.

It would probably be the same amount of work for you to build a new double - to a tested design- than to modify a single, since it would involve adding a new center section, additional cockpit, etc...

My double design is basically half a sheet of plywood added between the cockpits. This brought the length to 6.25 metres and the curve of the width brought it to a reasonable beam 28" 30"(?). It did a circumnavigation of Vanua Levu, Fiji and many multidays trips after that.