Solitude is great, but it's not for everybody. Kids generally don't enjoy solitude for extended periods of time. As a result, a weekend out on the water with the family can quickly go from a Thoreau-esque contemplation of the beauty of nature to a 130-decibel screech demanding, "Let's do something - I'm bored!" That being the case, lots of boaters find that trading solitude, at least occasionally, for the raucous cacophony of a multi-family raft-up is a smart play. You spend this weekend rafting up, next weekend parked in a cove. Everybody wins.

Rafting up has long been a mainstay of the party-hearty set; during spring break, it seems as though all of Lake Havasu is nothing but a giant raft-up. It's gaining popularity as a family activity now, for many of the same reasons the wild things like it - more people to hang out with and talk to, more fun to be found, and even a sense of community that springs up almost as soon as the first two boats link up.

When you're sharing your boat with your family, and there are other families and kids coming and going, safety should be at the forefront of your planning. Being safe doesn't mean not having fun. It just means being a little more sensible. For example, instead of loading up on booze, maybe you'll bring a couple of bottles of brew for Mom and Dad, and a cooler full of flavored fizzy water for the kids. And instead of doing cannonballs off the highest point on your boat, you and anyone else who comes aboard will slide gently and gracefully into the water from the swim platform.

The first rule of a fun and safe raft-up is to establish some ground rules and make sure that everyone involved knows them and agrees to abide by them. The rules don't have to be draconian, and can be adapted to fit the circumstances. Generally speaking, you'll want to have kids wear PFDs at all times, as well as ban excessive alcohol consumption, overly loud music, and risky activities that include diving from boats and running or jumping from boat to boat. These are really based on common sense.

Beyond that, the flotilla's ground rules should be negotiated amongst everyone involved. Although it's tempting to allow each captain to set the rules for his own boat, that can be too confusing for smaller kids (and some adults). The rules, at least during the raft-up, must be consistent from boat to boat, so no one gets to be the fun ship while another is relegated to "dragboat" status.

If possible, establish the ground rules in advance. If any newcomers arrive, they can be informed of the ground rules when they show up, and can decide to stay or go as they choose. If it's a spontaneous event, the captains should get together immediately after forming the raft-up to set the rules and pass them along to everyone else. Remember - the captain is responsible for anyone and everyone who boards his or her boat, so it's important that the captains inform all passengers of the rules and enforce those rules fairly.

Safely and securely forming the flotilla is the next order of business. Even if every boat involved is identical, wave and wind action will rule out tying the boats together without first deploying fenders to protect against bumps and grinds. Use as many fenders as possible, and deploy them both port and starboard. Even if you're initially on the outer edge of the raft-up, there's always a chance someone will show up and want to link up on your open side - and there's always a chance that boat won't have fenders. So bring and use as many as possible.

You can't have too many lines on board, either. For maximum security, you'll want to use at least two lines on each side of the boat - one line securing bow to bow, one securing transom to transom. If possible, use a third line, too, securing amidships to amidships. Do not secure the lines to anything other than cleats. Leave as little slack as possible, and use bowline knots for security and ease of release. And do not allow anyone to travel from boat to boat until the lines are well secured. Even then, use caution when passing from boat to boat, and don't go from boat to boat unwatched.

If you happen to slip between the boats, you want someone to know about it. Once the rules are set, the fenders deployed, and the lines secured, the raft-up is officially underway. One of the critical ingredients to a good raft-up is a nearly endless supply of snacks and drinks for all ages. Think light and easy. Fruit plates are good (and good for you). Chips and salsa are perennial favorites. If you have an onboard grill, fire it up and watch the world come to you - but be sure you watch closely to make sure no one (think kids) accidentally bumps into a hot grill. Bring lots and lots of water. Soft drinks and juices in cans, plastic bottles, or boxes are always hits with the younger set. It's OK for Mom and Dad to have an adult beverage if they want, but keep the alcohol intake and availability to a minimum, as the sun, wind, and waves will amplify the booze's effects.

Another serious thing to keep in mind while rafting-up is the dangers of carbon monoxide, which is odorless and colorless. Raft-ups can block the generator's exhaust outlet and cause carbon monoxide to back up into the cabin. Also, the exhaust outlet can accidentally be aimed into an area on another boat in which people are located - this can be especially true around open cabin windows or enclosed canvases. Swimming should be prohibited in areas where generator exhaust exits, especially if this area has a swim platform. Another good precaution is to carry an additional carbon monoxide detector for the cockpit (in addition to the one you should have in the cabin).

When it's time to call it a day, have everyone return to his or her own boat and take a head count, just to be sure everyone's accounted for. Once everyone's where he or she is supposed to be, it's time to break it up. The boats should leave the flotilla one by one, starting with the outermost. If everyone unties at once, you're going to have a chaotic mess. Release the outermost boat, and wait until it's safely away to untie the next in line. And don't be surprised when, on the way back to the marina or launch, everyone starts planning the next raft-up.