How to Make a Homemade Parasail

With the right equipment, you can make your own parasail at home.

Parasailing began in the 1960s but the sport was unintentionally created. At the time, it was just a way of teaching parachute students safe landing techniques. At their most basic level, parasails are simply customized parachutes towed by a boat, truck or ATV. So, with a few adjustments, a parachute can be made into a parasail, tethered to a vehicle and used for recreational purposes.

Things You'll Need

• Parachute
• Aluminum parasailing bar
• Parasail harness
• Parasail tow kit
• Parasail tow rope

Instructions

1. Add a stationary parasail bar (located at an upper arms length from the harness) to the parachute risers. This bar will work as a tensioning stabilizer for the flier, allowing him to guide the parachute. But the bar is also used to attach the towing ropes using clasps and hooks, which can be bought in towing kits at parasail accessory stores. Consider purchasing a parasail tow kit if you are inexperienced in creating parasails, as these come with the correct towing clasps, hooks, ropes, towing yoke and installation diagrams.

2. Remove the existing parachute harness and replace with a parasail harness. You can purchase the harness separately from a parasail accessory store. The parasail harness is equipped with triangles at the shoulders where large hooks and straps connect it to the front and rear risers of the parachute. This allows the flier to hang in a comfortable vertical position. The parasail harness is adjustable to several different body types as it needs to fit the flier comfortably and looser than the original parachute harness.

3. Attach two equal lengths of tow rope on either side of the stabilizing bar you installed using the appropriate hooks and clasps. Follow the tow kit installation diagrams to install both the tow ropes and the tow yoke at the proper distance from the boat or towing vehicle.

4. Ask a parasail expert to inspect your installation before using your new homemade parasail.

References

• XTUSA: Parasail History
• Hovel International India: The Sky is My Home
• Absolute Astronomy: Kite Types