Guerilla Floatilla 2007

pictures by Xmutiny and Jennifer Brandel

The Floatilla's history includes ten years of growing popularity leading up to a juried art show in Lincoln Park with a $1 million insurance policy, then cancellation. Many such events have befallen the same fate. After a five-year rest, the Floatilla started up again in its smaller, pure incarnation: People who have made their own boats.

Unfortunately, though, Chicago Public Radio did a pre- rather than post-piece on the event, and about 30 NPR-listeners showed up to watch about eight boats.

The towable raft seemed to be the design of choice this year. Mine was a simple net of bike tubes strung between three barrels. Slow and cumbersome in the water.







Matt the Rat's "Cola-tiki" proved to be agile and fast yet again. Check out the ceiling-fan-blade paddles.







Foamy showed up with a creative one-barrel contraption. The wheels spun around on a bolt to transform from land to sea mode.














The Aqua-cat has a specially designed transportation jitney.







Some assembly required...







Thar she floats!

























Lots of sailors showed up for the three hour tour:





































Captains and their vessels.

Surly showed up with his bicycle fishing pole:












Biggles revealed that even sailors have a secret pretty side, one that likes sequined g-strings...













Ahoy hoy! What shall we do with a drunken sailor? Get 'em all together each year for a river invasion!


Geniune U.S. Navy sailor hats donated by the Resource Center.
Johnny 4:16 PM