Project Name: Duo
Product Type: Two-Person Sit-On-Top Kayak
Brand: Swell Watercraft
Target Use / Environment:
A rugged, high-performance tandem kayak that performs in seaside surf, open ocean, rivers, bays and lakes. Built for pairs — friends, family, rental operations — who want adventure together without sacrificing performance, durability or comfort.
Design Objectives
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Deliver the seaworthiness and performance heritage of the Solo model, scaled and optimized for two paddlers.
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Ensure weight-distribution, stability, and balance are engineered specifically for a dual-seat configuration so that two people paddling together experience the same control, comfort and reliability as a single paddler in a high-end design.
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Provide a rugged, durable construction appropriate for commercial use (rental fleets) and serious recreational use — able to handle challenging conditions but also versatile for more casual outings.
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Incorporate key ergonomic and usability features (seating, foot control, transport) tailored for tandem paddling.
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Maintain the brand promise: Made in the USA, performance-first, built for paddlers.
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Deliver value: accessible in price and design so that both individuals and rental operators can adopt the model without compromise.
Key Specifications & Features
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Length: 13′ (approximately)
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Width: 34.5″
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Weight: ≈ 73 lbs
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Capacity: ≈ 500 lbs
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Hull design: Custom hull that redistributes load for two paddlers, while retaining agility and seaworthiness.
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Structure: Robust construction for rental and commercial usage — stackable, durable, built for repeated high-use scenarios.
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Ergonomics & features:
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Adjustable foot-pedals for both paddlers.
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Side grab handles for easy transport.
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Skid plate for durability in rugged launch/landing situations.
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Paddle-holder and scuba tank holder — extending use beyond casual paddling to more adventurous, gear-rich outings.
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Comfortable seating(Optional): “Mo’ Cheeks™” seats for extended time on the water.
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Color / aesthetic options: Bold color choices (Lime Green, Orange, Turquoise, Clear) to stand out in rental fleets or family paddles.
User Segments & Use Cases
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Friends / Couples / Family who want a shared paddling experience with performance and comfort.
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Rental / Outfitters needing a durable, stable tandem kayak that performs in surf and open water, but also suits calmer lakes and rivers — reliability and versatility are key.
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Adventure paddlers who want to bring gear (scuba tanks, extra paddler, tandem exploration) and need a hull that supports the extra weight and load while retaining control.
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Paddling schools / clubs wanting a two-person craft for instruction or tandem outings.
Design Challenges & Solutions
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Challenge: Ensuring a tandem hull remains stable and responsive even with wide load variations (one paddler, two paddlers, gear).
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Solution: A hull that is specifically shaped and weight‐distributed for two users, ensuring consistent performance regardless of configuration.
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Challenge: Maintaining the performance legacy of the Solo (single paddler focus) while adapting to double the capacity and different dynamics of two paddlers.
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Solution: Collaboration and design refinement (with input from rental veteran John Enomoto) to tune hull geometry, foot-pedal systems, and seating ergonomics for tandem use. swellwatercraft.com
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Challenge: Rental / high-use environments: durability, ease of stacking/transport, minimal maintenance.
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Solution: Inclusion of skid plate, robust grab handles, stackability design, simplified durable features.
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Challenge: Providing comfort and control for both paddlers — synchronized motion and ergonomic respect for front and rear paddler.
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Solution: Adjustable foot pedals in both positions, high‐quality seats, real paddler-centric layout.
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