The 50# rule is still in effect, but they did change a couple of other things for us. They increased the maximum size allowed, which should work for our larger boxes. They relaxed the "one trip down the ramp" rule and will allow multiple trips, be sure to tell them at check in. And, we are allowed a total of three bags, not including tanks, weights or dollies (though, having never personally packed that much gear, I'm not sure that's actually a change).
I asked why, if we load our own luggage on the catamaran hulled boats, why worry about the weight per bag. The response was that for scheduling purposes they can't guarantee the same boat on the return trip and it may be a mono-hull. In that case the crew would be handling the gear below decks, hence the need for the standardized 50# limit both directions.
I thought it was a reasonable compromise. See this link for the details.
I asked why, if we load our own luggage on the catamaran hulled boats, why worry about the weight per bag. The response was that for scheduling purposes they can't guarantee the same boat on the return trip and it may be a mono-hull. In that case the crew would be handling the gear below decks, hence the need for the standardized 50# limit both directions.
I thought it was a reasonable compromise. See this link for the details.
) but he also had his own gear so I had to deal with my soft Akona dive bag, which was definitely more than 50 lbs. I knew I was going to have trouble both going up and going down the ramps. My gear wasn't weighed, and a couple times I asked a crew member for help (explaining that I'm temporarily disabled from surgery). They quickly jumped up to help, no questions asked.
They really do need to consider that if it's on wheels, the box weight shouldn't have to count or, as others have mentioned, up the weight of hard box on wheels to 75 or 80lbs.
