For multihull sailors: towed toy recalled!

Special for multihull sailors: The recall for the Sportsstuff Wego Kite Tube continues. This inflatable, towable water sports toy is usually towed behind a powerboat, but if you have a particularly fast multihull, you might be contemplating using this product! The initial recall for the product began July 13, 2006. There were reports of users getting airborne, rising some distance off the water and then losing control and falling.

As the press release from Sportsstuff puts it: The Sportsstuff Wego Kite Tube is a 10-foot-wide, circular, yellow inflatable watercraft designed to be towed behind a power boat. A rider in the tube becomes airborne by pulling on handles attached to the floor of the tube. Model 53-5000 is printed on the tube near the product valve. The floor of the tube has black caution warning stripes. The cover for the product bears a skull and crossbones and the statement “Never Kite higher than you are willing to fall.” The tubes were imported and sold through marine distributors, mail order catalogs, and various retailers from approximately October 1, 2005 to July 11, 2006 for about $500 to $600.