Quest Tandem Kayak vs Odyssey Tandem Kayak

Quest Tandem vs Odyssey Tandem Inflatable Kayaks: How to Choose the Right One for Your Needs

The Quest Tandem and Odyssey Tande are two awesome inflatable kayaks from Jaspara. They are both excellent kayaks, but they are built for different needs. The key is understanding which one is right for you; weight, size, and how you plan to use your kayak make a big difference.

Weight and Solo Handling

The Quest Tandem weighs 17.1 kg, while the Odyssey Tandem weighs 20.3 kg. That is only 3 kg heavier, and for a 4.5 m inflatable kayak, that is actually very good. But that jump from 17 kg to over 20 kg is where a lot of people go from being comfortable lifting to struggling.

A difference of 3 kg may not sound like much, but in practical terms it is significant. The Quest Tandem is light enough for many paddlers to lift, carry, and manage solo. This makes it a strong option for anyone who values easy handling, has back concerns, or plans to paddle alone at times.

The Odyssey Tandem is still light for a 4.5 m inflatable kayak, but the extra weight can make solo carrying difficult for many people. It is better suited to two-person handling.

If solo handling matters to you, lighter is better.

Length and Internal Space

The weight difference comes down to size.

• Quest Tandem: 4 m long with a 45 cm internal width
• Odyssey Tandem: 4.5 m long with a 50 cm internal width

The Quest Tandem comfortably fits two paddlers and is longer internally than many kayaks marketed as tandems. It works well for one tall paddler and one average-sized paddler.

The Odyssey Tandem offers extra length and width, making it a better option for two tall paddlers or anyone who needs more internal space. That extra half a meter and extra width gives you more usable space. 

Carrying Kids, Dogs, and Gear

This is where we see a lot of real world differences.

With the Quest Tandem, you can bring:

• One medium sized dog
• One child
• Or two very small kids

With the Odyssey Tandem, you can bring:

• Two large dogs
• One very large dog
• Two adults and two kids
• Or lots of camping gear

If carrying a lot of passengers or gear is a priority, the extra space in the Odyssey makes a noticeable difference.

Construction and Rigidity

Both kayaks have drop stitch floors, which already gives them excellent rigidity. The difference is in the side chambers.

• The Quest uses traditional side tubes
• The Odyssey uses drop stitch side chambers

Drop stitch construction inflates to very high pressure, creating a rigid structure similar to an inflatable stand up paddleboard. Combined with its extra length, the Odyssey Tandem has greater overall rigidity, especially under heavier loads.

The Quest is still very rigid, but weight placement matters more. With heavier paddlers, you need to be more mindful of who sits where.

Capacity Differences

Capacity is another important distinction. The Odyssey has around 10 kg more individual paddler capacity and about 20 kg more total capacity overall

This makes the Odyssey better suited for heavier paddlers or situations where extra rigidity is needed.

Wind Effect and Paddling Feel

Although narrower kayaks are usually easier to paddle, the Quest Tandem often feels more comfortable on the water.

The Quest has:

• Lower side tubes
• Shorter length
• Less surface area above the water

The Odyssey has:

• Taller side chambers
• Longer hull
• More surface area catching the wind

Both kayaks use a drop stitch keel system, allowing them to track straight and hold their line in windy conditions. However, the Odyssey tends to be more affected by wind and can feel slower in exposed environments.

Dryness and  Ease of Entry

The Odyssey is marginally better at keeping paddlers dry due to its higher side walls. Both kayaks are open deck sit on top designs, so some splash and paddle drip are expected.

When it comes to getting in and out:

• Quest Tandem is easier. The lower side tubes make it very forgiving. You could almost fall into it and still be fine.
• Odyssey Tandem is very stable once you are in, but the higher side walls make entry a bit harder.

This can be an important factor for paddlers concerned about stability or mobility.

Tracking and Speed

Both kayaks track exceptionally well thanks to their drop stitch keels. Neither requires fins to maintain a straight line, and there is minimal side-to-side movement or hardly any waggle at all.

• The Odyssey gets slightly better tracking due to its length and rigidity
• The Quest feels marginally quicker because it is lighter, especially in solo paddling

Performance differences are small, and both kayaks deliver excellent on-water handling.

Setup Time

Setup time varies slightly due to size and air volume.

The Quest Tandem takes around 6 minutes while the Odyssey Tandem takes 8.5 minutes.

The Odyssey takes longer because it has more air volume and higher pressure side chambers. With a 12 volt electric pump, both are straightforward to inflate, but for some paddlers the time difference can matter.

So which one should you choose?

Both the Quest Tandem and the Odyssey Tandem are high-quality inflatable kayaks built by the same team using thick, non-stretch PVC and excellent workmanship. Both kayaks perform exceptionally well on the water.

The decision comes down to priorities. The right choice is simply the one that best fits how and where you plan to paddle.

One final thing. If you are a couple and you know one of you is going to paddle more often and want to go out solo, the Quest Tandem is a better choice. That 20 kg Odyssey Tandem is just a little heavy for most people to manage alone.