Support Shark Boat (Art Car) at Burning Man!

Shark Boat turns 21 this year!

DONATE > CELEBRATE > PARTICIPATE > First-time Fundraiser!

For over two decades, Shark Boat has captivated the hearts and minds of burners from around the world and continues to be a vital part of the Burning Man community. I am the 2nd owner of Shark Boat and have led the Mutant Vehicle Support Camp since 2008, (taking sole ownership of the mv/camp in 2016.) My first burn was in 2005. This is my first fundraiser for Shark Boat and there are many ways to participate, to keep her afloat.

Ways to Help: https://gofund.me/05deb1d6

(1) DONATE: Make a donation

(2) CELEBRATE: Share GoFundMe

(3) PARTICIPATE In-kind donations

As a female owner of Shark Boat, I stand proudly among the passionate creators (Captain Ken) and visionaries who have shaped Burning Man's Art Car culture. It is an honor to carry the torch and continue the legacy. I am grateful for the unwavering support of those who have contributed to Shark Boat throughout its 20+ year journey, whether through financial support, volunteer work, or simply sharing in the joy it brings to the playa. Please help support the Art Car community by uniting our passion and resources to preserve Shark Boats' legacy.

As many of you know, the true costs of maintaining a Mutant Vehicle (+ support camp) fluctuate every year, and as resources change, it impacts logistics and costs. After 20 years I need to move Shark Boat from her current home in Livermore to a new spot (Bay Area). Trailer ($6k), maintenance/tools/parts ($2K) upgrade camp infrastructure,($4k) These additional expenses on top of the operational costs are the reason for this First-time Fundraiser. Investing in the essential upgrades for infrastructure, transportation, and equipment will help offset operational costs and these contributions will ensure Shark Boat continues to serve the community for another 20 years.

Ways To Help:

1. Make a Donation - directly to GoFundMe

2. Share Fundraiser - with friends, family, and networks who have a deep appreciation for art, creativity, burning man culture, etc.

3. In-kind Donations - Contact me directly if you would like to offer in-kind donations and help with support camp in any way. (Possible tickets &/or wap-work-pass available)

Need driver, mechanic, etc. Full list below.

Shark Boat Intent:

The event has more than doubled in the last 15 years, and as a result, I've helped sustain this growth by supporting other camps with recycling runs and ice runs to keep the city going. I have participated in BAIT (Burn Area Imprecise Transit), given rides to Black Rock Rangers going on duty, hurt folks to a first aid station, parachutists who landed a long walk from their camp, burners who couldn't ride their bikes, and virgins unprepared without a bike! The storage under the seats has space for coolers and is stocked with snacks and 5-gal water jugs and electrolyte packets to share. (Last year, spent over $300 on electrolyte packets alone, and with the heat, needed more) Shark Boat has also provided rides for shift changes at the man base and helped older folks and people with kids safely ride to the man-burn. No steps or ladders are needed as the sides are low enough to step over and sit down. Handicap railings are installed on all sides for safety. Serving the community and the people, from sustainability and safety to sightseeing, and everything in between. (seats 8-10 people)

As a steward of the community, it is important to me how the community will continue to evolve for all MV owners and artists. Outside of the burn, I volunteered with the Borg to kick off the Burning Man 360 Project. Their values align with mine and it was amazing to contribute to a more sustainable future.

BM 360 Focus Areas >>> Sustainability, Education, Recreation

BM360 Project:

• Creating a year-round desert outpost that boosts the local economy

• Developing opportunities for green energy

• Expanding access to theme camp storage containers

• Allowing for mutant vehicle and art storage close to Black Rock City

MV + MV Support Camp

It costs between $5k-7$k to bring the Art Car/MV Support Camp to the playa and takes 8-12 campmates to pull this off every year. My support camp (Camel Dust) is an extension of my art car. It is welcoming, street-facing, and open to the public. Having grown up in hospitality, I find tremendous joy in creating experiences that surprise and delight the community. One of my favorite memories is coming back to camp to see three rangers with their clipboards chillin' on the inflatable sofas enjoying the shade. The boat and MV support camp are designed for interaction.

The support camp is old-school without generators or AC. (A couple of RVs have joined us over the years, but usually mostly tent campers.) Rebar is taking its toll and desperately wish to upgrade to Lag bolts/screws. Infrastructure is critical for tent-style setups and as the MV owner and camp lead, it requires substantial investment. There are several ways to help support this project. Your donations will help optimize resources, ensure safety, minimize rental costs, and reduce MV's carbon footprint.

How You Can Help:

(1) DONATE: Make a donation

(2) CELEBRATE: Share GoFundMe

(3) PARTICIPATE In-kind donations

What is an Art Car / Mutant Vehicle? (Borg site)

For those not familiar...Art Cars or Mutant Vehicles are a big part of Burning Man. Since the arrival of the first art car on playa in the ’90s, Mutant Vehicles (MVs) have since evolved and become an intrinsic, awe-inspiring part of both the Burning Man event and culture. These vehicles are used to transport participants around the event, and they also play a significant role in creating the surreal, visual quality that binds Black Rock City together. Only about 700 MV’s are allowed to operate at 5 miles per hour in a city of 80K. Art Cars are required to be radically modified and illuminated. The DMV’s (Department of Mutant Vehicles) requirements help to ensure that art cars and mutant vehicles are safe and that they add to the principles of Burning Man.

The Challenge:

Art cars, having weathered the harsh conditions of the playa, require ongoing maintenance and improvements. Year after year, the desert takes its toll, demanding repairs, enhancements, storage, and transportation expenses.

Special thanks to Camp Gears and Beers for your on-playa support last year :-)

Your Support :

By supporting Shark Boat, you become an integral part of this legacy journey. Your contribution will ensure that Burning Man 2023 will be an unforgettable experience for all who encounter Shark Boat and will continue to serve the community for years to come.

How Your Support Makes a Difference:

Your generosity will directly contribute to the preservation, innovation, and continued operation of Shark Boat. In the unlikely event that we surpass our financial target, rest assured that every additional dollar will be dedicated to extending its capabilities and securing its presence for another 20 years. My future goal is to make an aluminum pyramid on a trailer attached to the hitch so that burners can hop on the back (in a triangle formation) and look like water skiers. But I'm not ready to jump the shark just yet.

Priority >>> new storage location w-transportation/trailer ($6k), infrastructure ($4k), and engine maintenance/tools ($2k)

How You Can Help:

Your contribution, no matter the size, will have a significant impact on the future of Shark Boat. If you can offer any in-kind donations to the list below, let me know.

Your support helps with the following crucial tasks:

1. Upgrades and Enhancements:

• Utility trailer w/modifications - lock box, electrical winch, and trailer jack ($6k)

• Metal custom extension of ramp planks for improved safety for on/off-loading

(ATV &/or Car ramps don't work because of wheel spacing and pitch) - see bottom pic

• Paint, airbrush, fiberglass repair, and artistry to enhance its visual impact. (shark lift)

• Frame maintenance needed structural/electrical integrity.

• Sandblasting interior, painting, and sealing for longevity. (helps moop)

• Upgrades to the Yamaha G1-A engine ($2k)est

• OEM parts, backup solenoids ($550), and ignition coil.

• Muffler, Carburator, Air filter housing with rubber seal fasteners (and backups)

• Plywood seating reinforcement and upholstery for comfort.

• Welding work to create pop-up a DJ platform (housing & decks/speakers TBD)

• Batteries and backup for golf cart functionality.

• Ryobi Batteries for (3) misting systems and for all Ryobi Tools/blowers (8 needed)

($159 each) 6.0 Ah Lithium-Ion HIGH-PERFORMANCE Ryobi Need (8 = $1200)

Replace/Upgrade the 30x40 steel canopy shade structure + equipment ($4k)est

(45) Galvanized Hex Head 1/2 x 16 Lag Bolts Wood Screws ($250)

Industrial floor car jack ($200)

Boat Rescue Supplies: snacks, nuts, smoothy pouches, electrolytes, sunscreen ($800)

2. Operational Costs and Logistics:

• Need a new storage location w/trailer – Bay Area

• Need Mechanic for maintenance (pre/post) burn (currently not running)

• Transportation expenses (rentals) and maintenance. (truck/trailer driver)

• Help needed Pre- and post-burn preparations, ensuring Shark Boat is ready to serve.

• Storage prep to safeguard the MV during the off-season.

The MV Base: Yamaha G1-A Golf Cart 1970 & Glastron boat frame 1965

• Shark Boat boasts a powerful 215 cc gas two-stroke engine, its frame stretched an impressive 42 inches to accommodate its boat frame classic vintage presence. Load capacity has been enhanced through the doubling and upgrading of the coil over shocks, ensuring a smooth and secure journey for all passengers.

• 40-year-old parts are hard to find. Looking for help sourcing parts too. The original golf cart frame has undergone meticulous extensions and welding, with steel tubing supporting the boat body at reinforced mount points. Every aspect, from the wiring to the controls, has been carefully lengthened and seamlessly tucked away. But they are getting old and need to rewire for speakers. Need experts in this area.

Best gift ever, special thanks to Doug for the Voltage Meter :-)

Thank you for being a part of this extraordinary adventure. Your contribution is most appreciated and makes a difference in shaping the vibrant tapestry of Burning Man and the artistic marvels that grace its sacred grounds.

With heartfelt appreciation,

Alissa aka Fire Chicken aka La Lista

MV Owner & Support Camp Lead

P.S. Driving backward on two 10-foot wooden planks and strategically placing wooden blocks with enough of a gap for the plank to dip onto the support block while navigating (with painter's tape) into a trailer with one-inch clearance on both sides is not fun. I need a safer solution and Uhaul is phasing out RO model trailers.