In article , William R. Watt wrote:

"DrLith" ) writes:

Right now we're debating sit-on-top vs. sit-inside "recreational" tandems.

... I'm favoring the sit-inside alternative (something like the
Pamlico 135T?) and BF is favoriting a sit-on-top. That ultimately may be the
deciding factor (he's buying), but he's quite reasonable and open to
persuasion.

you have the option of getting one of each to satisfy both preferences.

We're in the same boat (all puns intended) as we've currently got a 22yo
Madriver 14' Canoe (kevlar) that I recently aquired. We've been using it
around in the LA area (in the ocean marinas -- not out in the ocean proper
as it would capsize & sink rather quickly). Anyway, my brother recently
got a Feelfree Nomad Sit-on-top (SOT) that he's been doing just about
everything in for the past month or so now and loves it. However, both
of us have interests in eventually going beyond just paddling around in the
local marinas and would like to go out in the ocean proper. But, I also
want to make sure that we can take the little ones around as time
permits (3yo and 7yo). Both love going around in the canoe, but few SOT's
can take both kids and me in them easily (a few can that have the middle seat).

Personally I'd love to get an SOT so that I can go out to get some exercise,
and would prefer a traditional sit-inside for that particularly with the winter
months coming (and likely won't have the extra kid(s) to take with me, so a tandem
probably isn't needed/wanted). We're planning on attending the Southwest Kayak
symposium next weekend in San Diego to checkout some of the boats & vendors,etc.

We'll see what goodies they've got..