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260lb. Illinois boy , ... what sort of tandom would work well going backwards untill my former bowsman (he's 16 now and- awfully busy !) starts to have a little more time for Dad ?

Don't take carrying capacity for granted, especially if Number One Son is a moose like dad. My 17'6" tandem is loaded to its max carrying capacity with two 200-lb paddlers and a week's worth of gear.

Once you buy it, you will use it, and you don't want to get caught in an oveloaded boat in rough water!