Tandem Kayak vs Single Kayak: Which One to Book in Hocking Hills

Choosing between a tandem kayak vs single kayak for your Hocking Hills trip depends on who’s in your group and the kind of day you want to have on the river. A single kayak gives you full control of the boat and a more active experience. A tandem lets two people share the effort and ride together in one hull. Both options are great on the Hocking River, and we rent them both at Hocking Hills Canoe Livery. Here is how to decide which configuration suits your group for a self-guided river trip.

What Is the Difference Between a Single and a Tandem Kayak?

A single kayak has one seat. You steer, set the pace, and handle the boat on your own. It’s lighter, more responsive, and easier to turn. Solo riders who want an active day on the river tend to prefer singles.

A tandem kayak has two seats. One person sits in the front and one in the back. The person riding in the rear seat handles most of the steering while the person up front adds forward power. Tandem kayaks are wider and more stable than singles, which makes them feel steadier for less experienced riders, though the additional weight means turning requires coordination between both occupants.

On our stretch of the Hocking River, the current is Class I (calm with gentle riffles), so both boat styles handle the conditions well. You do not need previous experience with either one.

When to Choose a Single Kayak

A single kayak is the right pick if you:

• Want to go alone. Set your own pace without coordinating with anyone. Stop when you want, speed up when you want, and take whatever line through the riffles feels right.
• Want more exercise. Single kayaks are lighter, and all the effort is on you. You get a better workout than splitting strokes with a partner.
• Want to take Trip B. Our 7-mile Rockbridge Trip runs single kayaks and canoes only. If you want to see Natural Rockbridge from the river, a single kayak is your only kayak option on that route.
• Prefer full control. Steering a single is straightforward. Lean, sweep, and the boat responds immediately. No need to sync your rhythm with a second person.

Single kayak rates at our livery:

• Trip A (5 miles, about 2 hours): $50
• Trip B (7 miles, 3 to 4 hours): $60

When to Choose a Tandem Kayak

A tandem kayak works best if you:

• Are going with a partner. Couples, friends, or siblings who want to share a boat and talk while they float. Tandems put you close enough for conversation without shouting across the river.
• Have a child who is not ready to go alone. The parent in the back seat steers while the child sits up front and contributes at their own level. The extra stability helps kids feel comfortable.
• Are a beginner and want the boat to feel more stable. Tandems sit wider on the river and carry more weight, which makes them harder to tip. If you are nervous about your first time on the water, a tandem with a confident partner is a good starting point.
• Want to save a bit of money for two people. Two single kayaks cost $100 on Trip A. One tandem costs $70 for both of you on the same route.

Tandem kayak rates:

• Trip A (5 miles, about 2 hours): $70
• Trip B: not available (single kayak and canoe only on this route)

Tandem vs Single Kayak: Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	Single Kayak	Tandem Kayak
Seats	1	2
Paddles included	1	2
Trip A (5 mi)	$50	$70
Trip B (7 mi)	$60	Not available
Steering	Full control, solo	Back seat steers
Stability	Good	Higher (wider hull)
Speed	Faster for experienced paddlers	Steady with two people paddling
Best for	Solo paddlers, exercise, Trip B	Couples, parent/child, beginners

What About Kids and Dogs?

Kids: Paddlers must be at least 3 years old on all of our trips, no exceptions. Children 12 and under must wear a life jacket. A tandem kayak on Trip A is one of the best setups for a parent paddling with a younger child. The child sits in the front seat, and the parent controls the boat from the back.

Dogs: Pets are welcome on both single and tandem kayaks. Keep your pet on a leash at our facility and do not tie them to the boat. Most dogs settle calmly in the bottom of the kayak once the initial excitement of launching subsides. Tandems provide more floor space for a larger dog, but singles accommodate smaller breeds without any difficulty.

What If Neither One Feels Right?

We also rent canoes, which accommodate two adults with room for one child under 12 in the middle. Canoes offer the most interior space of any vessel we carry and are a solid choice for families who need extra room for gear or a third passenger.

Tubes and rafts are also available on Trip A for groups that would rather float without any active effort.

Check all of your options and rates on our services page.

Tips for Your First Time in a Tandem

If you choose a tandem and neither one of you has paddled one before, a few things will make the trip smoother:

• The stronger person sits in the back. The rear seat controls the direction of the boat, and the front seat sets the pace.
• Match your stroke timing. Take strokes on opposite sides at the same rhythm. It takes a few minutes to find a groove, and the Class I current gives you plenty of room to practice.
• Talk to each other. If you want to stop for a sandbar break or take a different line through a riffle, say so. Tandems respond best when both people know the plan.

Your driver covers all of this in the trip briefing on the shuttle ride to the launch.

Book Your Kayak Trip

All equipment included, Class I current, no experience needed, and your car waiting at the take-out. Pick your boat and book on the Trip A or Trip B page, or call us at 740-385-0523 with questions about your group.

We are at 12789 State Route 664 in Logan, Ohio. Rated 4.8 stars from over 1,400 Google reviews.

Frequently Asked Questions

Calm Class I current, all equipment included, and a shuttle that brings you right back to your car. Book your trip online or call 740-385-0523 to pick the kayak that fits your group.