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I chose the Wilderness Systems Pamlico 135T for its versatility, moderate weight and size. It is rather small for a tandem kayak, but sufficient for back bays and perfect for estuaries of SW Florida. The estuaries are often overgrown, narrow and rife with tight turns...anything much larger would find you "ping-ponging" off the mangroves and stymieing any forward progress. Its pretty hefty at 72 lbs. but paddles lighter. It won't handle much more than 500 lbs including the paddlers so you have to travel light. I use it on a weekly basis, and we love to fish for sea trout and reds in the bays.

The Pamlico 135T sits low in the water so it doesn't catch the wind or weather-vane. The downside to that positive is...heavy chop is going to find its way into the boat. It'll roll with the wake of passing powerboats, but erratic rollers get you wet. You can anticipate a decent glide once you get it up to speed. With little to no rocker, turning is laborious unlike a canoe.

Another negative is the rear compartment does not maintain water resistance. The seal along the foam is comprised quickly, and without a drain plug, its somewhat a pain in the posterior getting all the excess water out. I appreciate the sliding seat, especially the ability to slide the front seat back to paddle it solo (which gives you tons of room if you are fishing).

All in all, I like the kayak and would get another should this waste away...but it has been extremely durable and survived an airborne loft off the SUV's Thule J hooks at 70 mph...but you can hardly notice. A worthy investment for any twosome.