Jennifer Parramore is a native Floridian. Born and raised in Panama City Beach, Florida, her life on the water began at a very young age. Today, it’s a life she chooses every day - and a life that delivers soulful moments that underscore why she made the decision to also make a living on the water.
“The fishing trips I took with my family when I was a little girl were just kind of a given,” laughed Jennifer. “I was going with them whether I liked it or not. Funny to think about that now that I am older and I get excited to get out on the water every chance I can.”
Jennifer met her husband, Matt, in Panama City Beach and together, they fished for anything they could as kids with a small boat powered by a single engine. That included mahi, sailfish, snapper and grouper. Matt obtained his captain’s license in 2013 and together, they quickly realized there was a big market for operating dolphin and snorkeling tours in the Florida panhandle. They started a business in 2015 and purchased their first boat, a 27-foot Cape Horn®, in 2016. In 2017, they realized they needed to repower. The Parramores chose a pair of Yamaha 250-horsepower outboards – motors that are still on their boat today.
“We were tracking five trips a day in the summer every single day - taking families out to make memories on the water. We had to have outboards that would transport us safely every time,” said Jennifer. “Those original 250s we purchased now have close to 1800 hours on them, and we have had zero issues. We just make sure we cover the basic maintenance like standard oil changes. This is why we went with Yamaha. There’s not another reliable workhorse outboard like Yamaha on the market.” *
When Hurricane Michael struck the panhandle in 2018, the marina where the Parramores kept their boat was leveled and they decided to relocate to the Florida Keys. Now located in Summerland Key between Marathon and Key West, the couple owns and operates Saltwater Seafari which takes passengers on small excursions from exploring sandbars and snorkeling to lobster catching. They purchased a second boat in 2022 – Jennifer’s boat – another 27-foot Cape Horn® with twin Yamaha 200-horsepower outboards. Together, they run charters off both boats, operating year-round and averaging around 300 charters per year.
“We will run the boats every single day, if the weather allows. It’s so rewarding to make a living doing this,” Jennifer continued. “I’ve taken so many children out for their first boat ride. I’ve taught my clients to catch lobster. We’ve assisted so many to swim alongside wild dolphin. Anytime I am on the water I feel like I am making epic memories, and they stick with me.
“Being a female in this industry just takes that up a notch. When I have a little girl on board, I do my best to let her have some time at the helm, teach her how to catch a fish. I want these girls to understand they can be a part of this, too. My daughter is grown now but, like me, she grew up fishing with us and it stuck with her. The time I get to spend on the water with her now is very special to me.”
When asked about her favorite memory on the water, Jennifer has a very specific one that remains at the top of her list.
“In November of 2023, Matt and I went out on a winter day that was flat and calm – you could almost skip a rock across the Atlantic as if it was a lake, and you could see everything in the water. We went out pleasure fishing for mahi and I saw a couple of ripples in the water. We both cast in that direction and at the same time, hooked three mahi between the two of us,” Jennifer exclaimed. “It was total chaos trying to manage all the lines, but we managed to land all three fish. In the middle of everything, a huge fighter jet flew no more than 200 feet above us. It was incredibly loud, and we were trying to get these three fish in the boat – it really was just a moment I will never forget. And we pulled it off.
“Those are the moments that keep you coming back. It’s always different on the water and there are so many things to highlight. I’ve been swimming alongside spotted eagle rays and loggerhead sea turtles. The days we spend so far offshore with no cell service are simply peaceful, which is hard to accomplish in today’s world. In those moments, I always feel well within my soul.”
To learn more about Saltwater Seafari or book a charter, visit www.saltwaterseafari.com.
*This testimonial reflects one customer’s experience in a commercial setting. Results and operating hours may vary. No guarantee of product lifespan or suitability for commercial or high-hour use is implied beyond Yamaha’s stated warranty terms. Yamaha is not affiliated with or responsible for the operations of Saltwater Seafari.
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“The fishing trips I took with my family when I was a little girl were just kind of a given,” laughed Jennifer. “I was going with them whether I liked it or not. Funny to think about that now that I am older and I get excited to get out on the water every chance I can.”
Jennifer met her husband, Matt, in Panama City Beach and together, they fished for anything they could as kids with a small boat powered by a single engine. That included mahi, sailfish, snapper and grouper. Matt obtained his captain’s license in 2013 and together, they quickly realized there was a big market for operating dolphin and snorkeling tours in the Florida panhandle. They started a business in 2015 and purchased their first boat, a 27-foot Cape Horn®, in 2016. In 2017, they realized they needed to repower. The Parramores chose a pair of Yamaha 250-horsepower outboards – motors that are still on their boat today.
“We were tracking five trips a day in the summer every single day - taking families out to make memories on the water. We had to have outboards that would transport us safely every time,” said Jennifer. “Those original 250s we purchased now have close to 1800 hours on them, and we have had zero issues. We just make sure we cover the basic maintenance like standard oil changes. This is why we went with Yamaha. There’s not another reliable workhorse outboard like Yamaha on the market.” *
When Hurricane Michael struck the panhandle in 2018, the marina where the Parramores kept their boat was leveled and they decided to relocate to the Florida Keys. Now located in Summerland Key between Marathon and Key West, the couple owns and operates Saltwater Seafari which takes passengers on small excursions from exploring sandbars and snorkeling to lobster catching. They purchased a second boat in 2022 – Jennifer’s boat – another 27-foot Cape Horn® with twin Yamaha 200-horsepower outboards. Together, they run charters off both boats, operating year-round and averaging around 300 charters per year.
“We will run the boats every single day, if the weather allows. It’s so rewarding to make a living doing this,” Jennifer continued. “I’ve taken so many children out for their first boat ride. I’ve taught my clients to catch lobster. We’ve assisted so many to swim alongside wild dolphin. Anytime I am on the water I feel like I am making epic memories, and they stick with me.
“Being a female in this industry just takes that up a notch. When I have a little girl on board, I do my best to let her have some time at the helm, teach her how to catch a fish. I want these girls to understand they can be a part of this, too. My daughter is grown now but, like me, she grew up fishing with us and it stuck with her. The time I get to spend on the water with her now is very special to me.”
When asked about her favorite memory on the water, Jennifer has a very specific one that remains at the top of her list.
“In November of 2023, Matt and I went out on a winter day that was flat and calm – you could almost skip a rock across the Atlantic as if it was a lake, and you could see everything in the water. We went out pleasure fishing for mahi and I saw a couple of ripples in the water. We both cast in that direction and at the same time, hooked three mahi between the two of us,” Jennifer exclaimed. “It was total chaos trying to manage all the lines, but we managed to land all three fish. In the middle of everything, a huge fighter jet flew no more than 200 feet above us. It was incredibly loud, and we were trying to get these three fish in the boat – it really was just a moment I will never forget. And we pulled it off.
“Those are the moments that keep you coming back. It’s always different on the water and there are so many things to highlight. I’ve been swimming alongside spotted eagle rays and loggerhead sea turtles. The days we spend so far offshore with no cell service are simply peaceful, which is hard to accomplish in today’s world. In those moments, I always feel well within my soul.”
To learn more about Saltwater Seafari or book a charter, visit www.saltwaterseafari.com.
*This testimonial reflects one customer’s experience in a commercial setting. Results and operating hours may vary. No guarantee of product lifespan or suitability for commercial or high-hour use is implied beyond Yamaha’s stated warranty terms. Yamaha is not affiliated with or responsible for the operations of Saltwater Seafari.
Back to Blue Tales