your advise

Getting started with kayaking again, been thinking about a tandem but traveling with a beginer. what kayaks do you recomend tandem...inflatable or otherwise  kinda poor so keep it real please :}
Thanks

I have a Malibu Pro2 Tandem for my wife and I to use. I also use it with my son when I take him fishing. It is wide and stable. I have even had it out and stood up on it. as for price when I bought it new in 03 it was $699. Some times you can pick up used ones for a good price on ebay, or even from malibu stores. I have never really used an inflatable so I can't comment on that. Best thing is to try out as many different ones as you can before making deciding.
Good shoping
Matt

Well, I'm another owner of a Malibu Pro2.  Betcha didn't know that Matt.   Here's my impressions.  Nice ride for 2 not-so-large people.  I have long legs and feel there is not enough leg room for me.  Also, if you paddle it solo from the back, the front is raised quite a bit and you can get wind cocked pretty easily.  Ask Charles about the "fun" he had at Sombrio last year on his Pro2.  If you don't have long legs and you don't even plan on paddling it solo, then it's a fine boat.

I've also paddled the Ocean Kayak Malibu XL a bit (don't confuse the Malibu's!).  I think it has a bit more leg room.  It also has a neat feature in which you can paddle from the middle when going single, which solves to porpoising and wind cocking problem.   It too is nice ride.  The downside of this kayak is that there are no large access hatches like there is in the Pro2.  There is a medium sized 10"x18" oval tupperware hatch option, that is somewhat useable.  If you plan on being able to store stuff in the hull, check out the hatch to make sure it will meet your expectations.

I've also previously owned a Cobra Triple.  This is the Cadillac of multi person kayaks.  You can indeed fit 3 people in it, although most of the time I paddled it double and we used the center for gear.  It's long and heavy.  And I did use to paddle it solo, although that was quite a chore.  Lot's of room both on top and in the hull.

-Allen

I remember Charles was using some balist on his at snow creek, a water jug on the front of it I think.
I have paddled that pro2 from the center and had gear in the rear spot. It is a little to wide to stradle for me, I felt like it was going to rip me in half. I am hoping it will work good for hauling crab pots out though.

Matt