We have an exciting and fun project to share with you today. My husband and son recently built a DIY Pirate Ship. This project was inspired by this boat.
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A couple of years ago, we did some remodeling and had to take out a couple sections of our privacy fence. Those fence sections have been leaning against the fence in our backyard since that point.
Our son came home from school a couple of weeks ago and announced that he had the perfect plan for these fence sections. He proposed we use the scrap wood, including those fence pickets we had laying around, to build a shed for him complete with electricity, and a computer in the backyard. He did have a convincing argument…he said it would be a good place for him to complete his homework.
After some negotiations, he settled for a pirate ship. He and his dad got busy making a diy pirate ship from the fence pickets and some 2x4s we had laying around.
With the exception of the pirate flag, this project was completely free and doable unlike our son’s first suggestion.
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Supplies for DIY Pirate Ship:
- Fence Pickets-We used fence pickets that we had leftover. You could also use 1″x5″ boards or even a thicker board if you want your boat to be sturdier.
- 2 or 3- 2″x4″x8′ boards
- Wood screws or nails
- Jigsaw
- Wood glue
- 8-5 gallon paint stir sticks (it is important to get the 5 gallon stir sticks because they are longer and thicker)
- Plywood
- Pirate Jolly Roger Stick Flag, 12 by 18-Inch
- 5/16″ Bolt, nut, washer
- Drill or hammer
Note: We used fence pickets and screws, so that is what you will find referenced in the directions.
Directions for DIY Pirate Ship:
- Cut 2 – 2′ 4 1/2″ pieces from 2×4
- Cut 5 – 2′ 9″ pieces from fence pickets
- Using screws attach 5 cut pickets from #2 to 2x4s from #1, so that they rest on top of each other with 2x4s at each end. This will be the back of the ship.
- Cut 4 – 5′ 6″ pieces from fence pickets.
- Attach 2 pickets from #4 to each side of ship attaching to the exposed part of each 2×4. These will become the sides of the ship.
- Cut 2- 1′ 10 1/2″ pieces from a 2×4.
- Attach 2×4 pieces in #6 to the opposite end of the pickets on the inside.
- Cut 1 – 2′ 7 1/2″ piece from 2×4.
- Attach 2×4 from #8 to the top of the 2x4s you just attached to the side pickets in #7. Drill a hole in the middle of this board on the side for the steering wheel using 11/32 drill bit.
- Cut 4 – 2′ 1/2″pieces from fence pickets setting your saw at a 45 degree angle so you can attach it to your sides at 45 degree angle. Only one end needs an angle.
- Cut 4 – 2′ pieces from fence pickets setting your saw at a 45 degree angle so you can attach it to your sides at 45 degree angle. Only one needs an angle.
- Cut 1 – 1′ 10 1/2″ piece from 2×4.
- Attach 1 piece from #10 & 1 piece from #11 to 2×4 from #12 forming a triangle creating the bow of ship (do not use the angled ends).
- Stack other pieces to top of attached boards in #13 by attaching to 2×4 at an angle making sure you use the same size pickets on each side.
- Attach bow of ship to sides of ship by attaching angled ends of fence pickets to 2x4s on the side of the ship.
- Cut 2 – 2’2″ pieces and 2 – 1′ 9 1/2″ pieces from fence pickets. We used the curved top of our fence pickets to give it a little more character.
- Add the pieces you cut in #16 to 2x4s on the side of the ship at the back placing longer fence picket on the bottom and the shorter piece on the top. (See picture above under step #5).
- Cut 2 – 2′ 4 1/2″ pieces from a 2×4.
- Attach pieces cut in #18 to inside of ship on the side 1′ 4″ from the back of the ship.
Directions for Seat:
- Cut 2- 2′ 6″ pieces from 2×4
- Attach 1 piece from #1 9″ from the ground between the two 2x4s on the back.
- Attach other piece from #1 9″ from the ground between the side of 2x4s.
- Cut plywood to 2′ 6″x 1′ 9″ and then notch around 2x4s.
- Attach plywood to to 2x4s you attached in #2 & #3.
Directions for Wheel:
- Cut 2 octagonal shapes from fence pickets.
- Cut 8-5 gallon paint stir sticks to 1′ from top (curved end)
- Attach paint sticks with glue to one side of octagonal shape to resemble wheel spokes so that the curved end of the paint stick sticks out.
- Add 2nd octagonal shape to the top of your wheel spoke and attach all pieces with screws.
- Using leftover pieces cut from paint sticks make a larger octagon gluing pieces between spokes of the wheel.
- Drill a hole using a 11/32 drill bit in the center of small octagonal shape. You want your hole to be slightly larger than your bolt to allow movement of the steering wheel.
- Attach steering wheel to board in #8 above using a bolt.
You are now ready to set sail and find your treasure!
I have joined with several other bloggers to bring you pirate themed crafts, activities, play ideas, and more to help you get ready for International Talk Like a Pirate Day on September 19th.
You can click here for more great pirate theme projects: Arrr Maties.