Sometimes boating can be so lonely. You're on a tiny white speck of fiberglass surrounded by the ocean's blue waters, which drop off at the edge of infinity. The farther you get from shore, the closer you get to truly being alone with your own unsettling thoughts. But remember — depressing free verse from high school poetry class never sold any boats. Nope. The marine industry wants to remind you that boats are floating party pads and not the best transportation to an existential breakdown. That’s where the annual Aquapalooza comes in.

Aquapalooza is a loose collection of boating parties sponsored nationally by Sea Ray and locally by MarineMax. Basically you show up in your boat, tie it to the one next to you, drink some beer, and float around on an inner tube (all while wearing sunscreen, of course). Sunday’s bash is taking place at Beer Can Island from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you don't know where that is, then you're probably not a true boater, but we'll give you a hint: It's somewhere southwest of Haulover Beach. For more information, visit www.aquapalooza.com.
Sun., July 27, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., 2008