Weight Restrictions for Parasailing with Sebago

Just in case this ever comes up or someone wonders about why one trip is deiiferent than another...

Peter, Yes there is weight restrictions, though it is a bit variable depending on wind conditions and which chute we are flying. 450 lbs is max and 120 is minimum, though we don%26#39;t advertise this because it is a captains determination on the boat. There is a difference between steady wind speed and those that are either shifty or gusty. We are able to fly so long as wind speeds don%26#39;t exceed 20 knots. Both our captains and their mates are very experienced and all are certified by PAPO (professional assoc. of parasail operators). You might find their website helpful. The program dictates how we can operate and if you don%26#39;t they can throw you out. PAPO membership is a prerequisite for insurance. That horrible parasail accident in Pompano Beach last week was a direct result of an inexperienced captain who broke almost every rule of safe parasailing. I wasn%26#39;t surprised to learn that he nor the company was a member of PAPO. It will get even uglier when it comes out that the Turks and Caicos insurance is bogus. There is only one legitimate insurance carrier for parasailing. Back to your original question. Sometimes during the course of a tour the wind can change so that a couple who if they would of flown first would be ok then 30 minutes later it might not. This has happened a few times and people get embarrassed then pissed off. Our guys are very polite, but it is totally their call whether it is safe to fly or not. I hope this helps, but as you can see from my lengthy explanation a number of factors can change a situation. Regards, Paul

Pjk

Weight Restrictions for Parasailing with Sebago

How horrible about that accident. I hadn%26#39;t heard about it until googling it.

It%26#39;s good to know that they should be certified by PAPO.

Weight Restrictions for Parasailing with Sebago

I wonder how often they change the lines.

I%26#39;m passing on parasailing for a while!

I don%26#39;t think I%26#39;ve ever heard of an accident in Key West, yet these things dot the horizon all day long, especially on the other side of Sunset Key.

http://pjk.smugmug.com/photos/177515532-M.jpg

Pjk

Anytime you take to the air, accidents can happen. My best advice is to use only operators with a good background and solid reputation.

Alcohol is often involved in aviation accidents, and parasailing is no exception.

Remember, the last transmission heard on the radio before the crash was, ';hey y%26#39;all hold my beer and watch this!';

dang, i was really looking forward to a parasail adventure when wife and i come down there. she is skittish about anthing on the water to begin with. i did not read about the account, but i assume it was fatal. now, i%26#39;ve got doubts myself. i have done it before and i love the views you can get (once you relax). the only potential benefit from any tragedy is the effort made to insure such a thing does not happen again. from your local information, are most of the parasail operators doing things like checking lines and replacing them, etc. is safety more important than saving a few bucks for most kw operators?

Just make sure that the company you are thinking about going with is PAPO certified. I LOVE parasailing and have done it numerous times, with no injury or problems. That parasailing accident was the first I%26#39;ve heard of one for a long time. I don%26#39;t know the whole details but being that close to land first off seems really weird to me. Everytime I%26#39;ve gone parasailing we were at least 3/4 mile from shore...and we always had a life vest on.

ohbo, the odds of that happening again are quite slim IMO. The boat was very close to shore and the chute was not over water, as I remember. Two sisters were dragged across a roof.

The ski operations here are always over water.......I would go ahead and go. Sunset (at Smathers) goes waaay offshore, which might be cool for spotting fish, turtles, etc.

Billy%26#39;s Barefoot Watersports, on the beach, just to the right of Louie%26#39;s Backyard %26amp; Afterdeck restaurant/bar, near The Reach Resort Hotel is a great place to go parasailing. They%26#39;re VERY safety concious, professional %26amp; well trained, %26amp; fun folks. ( I do NOT work for them, but speak from experience.) They have parasailing, jet skis, kayaks, snorkel gear, paddle boats, Hobie Holders, %26amp; exceptional jet ski (wave runner) Island Tours. You can do one activity, or several, %26amp; I%26#39;ve found it to be the best service on the island in water sports activities! You can call them at 296-5000 %26amp; ask for Billy%26#39;s Barefoot Water sports; or call 305-849-0815. The Island jet ski tours start on the hour, so be early to get prepared %26amp; for safety training!

They provide the PFD%26#39;s or life jackets, %26amp; they have lounge chairs, towels %26amp; an outdoor shower. Now is a great time to go before The Reach Resort Hotel , which is under renovation, reopens completely, as it%26#39;s not so busy! Have fun!

[clears throat]

As the state of Florida%26#39;s #1 Parasail Jock of 2001, with over 200 personal flights under my belt that year, and over 2000 successful assists from Key West to Clearwater Beach,FL - I was a kid once too you know! - I would like to share some insight on this subject.

One. Lines are changed. It%26#39;s up to the captain and mate (';jock';) to identify worn lines.

Two. Ditto %26#39;chutes.

Three. Key West is safer than many places for parasailing due to the limit on line used per airport restrictions - 300 feet maximum.

Four. Key West parasailing is half the price of most anywhere else in Florida. It is about $40 max. (Plus tip, and/or video-photo card.)

My personal preference of parasailing is Fury Parasailing. I like 1) their training and trainers, and the quality and attention of their captains and crew., 2) speaking as a former ';pro jock,'; their equipment is unquestionably the best and best up-kept on the island, 3) location ie the Westin, meaning their operational standards must be a step higher. With parasailing, this is nice to know.

Sebago is good, too, Pjk. But I choose Fury for the above reasons.

For the record, accidents DO happen. It is almost impossible to get a straight answer about equipment and training due to the fact - unlike bungee jumping - no professional safety organization exists to implement such a progam. That is why I stick with THE TOP PROVIDER for sports such as parasailing. And IMHO, in Key West, that%26#39;s Fury.

I%26#39;m a retired professional aviaor. I don%26#39;t trust any of them. Caveat empteor.