Kayak for two vs loading 2 kayaks
The people knocking tandems on this site have probably only owned or rented slow heavy plastic tandem kayaks, not used or even seen a high performance advanced construction composite tandem kayak, which are rare in the US.
The high performance light weight construction tandem kayaks like we own are fast , relatively light ( lighter than many plastic single kayaks), capable of launching out thru the surf, sailing, etc. plus much easier to load than loading and tying down two plastic kayaks on the ELement.
I've posted some links to our Kaskazi Duo ARX tandem kayaks below
We also own several plastic kayaks such as 2 RTM Discos, a RT Tempo, Cobra Expedition, and from my experience over the years, I would much rather load my one Kaskazi tandem kayak on the Element than load and tie down two plastic single kayaks, plus the gas mileage of driving two kayaks on a long trip is worse is worse for 2 vs one kayak. I drove from Daytona Beach to Big Pine Key in the Florida Keys and back and got 37 mpg with my Kaskazi tandem on the roof. The mpg is worse when I drive with two single kayaks on the roof of my VW Jetta diesel wagon . The Elment has lousy gas mileage so the differential may not be as great.
my wife loading our red Kaskazi Duo tandem on our Element
http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=57725&highlight=Joebh
Our aqua Kaskazi Duo tandem kayak at Bahia Honda in FLorida Keys
It handled great in the ocean and in the back country
http://www.kayakfishinghole.com/community/showthread.php?t=1822&page=2&highlight=Joebh
Our aqua Kaskazi Duo tandem with a Kayak sailor sail rig
http://www.kayakfishinghole.com/community/showthread.php?t=1188&highlight=Joebh
the photo of a white kayak is my Kaskazi Pelican
Both Kaskazi Duo tandem kayaks are fiberglass epoxy layup and self bailing but have spray decks also. They are 19 1/2 feet long with 26 inch beam weigh around 64 pounds and are great handling in the ocean.
I have also posted on the EOC site photos of us camping with a Sportz tent off the back with the red tandem kayak on the roof
I do agree most longer plastic tandem kayaks I have rented are back breakers and a dog to paddle but high performance light weight construction tandems are not.