How to build a pirate ship out of PVC pipe

You can build this awesome pirate ship that is great for sitting on a table top, on the ground and it can be modified to be a water feature! All you need are some PVC pipe, connectors, fabric and a few other items for this project!

DIY PVC pipe pirate ship frame assembly with fleecefun free template and tutorial

YOU WILL NEED:

Fleece Fun’s pirate ship shopping list and construction plans
PVC Pipe cutters ( optional see below)
70 feet of 3/4 PVC pipe – cut to specs
9 cross or “x” fittings
7 elbow fittings
20 “T” fittings
1 45 degree fitting
21 end caps ( optional)
1 set of sheets (for the sails)
Table cloth to cover the pipe
Glue gun
scissors
twine
Get the free construction plans here.

How to build a Pirate ship out of PVC pipe (tutorial):

Step 1 – Cut the pipe

For this step I confess I took advantage of a trick I’ve learned. Did you know that most home improvement stores (like Lowes and Home Depot) will cut items for you if you have the exact measurements and request it? So for cutting all the pipe section I just went to the plumbing section told them how much pipe I would need (70 ft or 7 10 ft lengths) and then handed them a list of cuts and sizes I needed. (The guy I had it do it took it really well, but this could depend on the mood of the employee you get). Or you can just buy some PVC cutters and cut it yourself.

Quick Tip

Measure and cut one section of pipe and then use that as your measuring stick to cut the rest of the lengths rather than measure each one.

While he cut the pipe I got all the fittings – make sure that they are “slip” ( no threading) and that they are the right size to fit your pipe. Sometimes the wrong sizes get mixed up in the bins.

Step 2: Assemble and Test the PVC Pirate Ship Frame

Assembling PVC pirate ship frame with fleecefun free template and tutorial

Before the big day assemble the ship at least once to make sure that it will be ready to go. Refer to the construction plans on how to build a Pirate ship and put together (just like tinker toys).

note

The masts have an extra support so if it got windy they wouldn’t fall. However if you’re having your party indoors the masts will stand up fine with out the additional support.

Step 3 – Trim the Sails

Attaching pirate ship sails to PVC frame with fleecefun free template and tutorial

For the top sails on each of the masts I used pillow cases left over from this tutorial. Then I used a queen sizes sheet and cut it up for the bottom sections. I just eyeballed it and tied the sheets on, poking a hole in some places to thread the pipe through. I then used hot glue to keep the sails taught and stretch to the ends of the pipe.

For the front sail I cut a triangle and ties it on with twine.

Step 4: Display Your DIY Pirate Ship

Displaying completed PVC pirate ship for party using fleecefun free tutorial

After building the pirate ship, I put it on a 6 foot banquet table. I just let the front hand off the table. The, I poked holes into he table cloth and threaded the pipe through at the base. In the center mast I put two prorate flags. It served as a great decoration for our outdoor party.

Alternate ideas:

The way this ship is designed you could make it into a sprinkler/ water play thing. Just glue the pipes together add a hose and a sprinkler attachments to the top of the masts. It’s pretty sturdy so you it might be fun to sit on the ground for photo ops. As I mentioned before the extra support isn’t needed for indoors so you could use it as a food or gift table. Enjoy and send me a pic if you make one – I’d love to see it!

Download the plans on how to build a Pirate ship:

Click the photo below and fill up the form to download the file. For personal use only, not for sale or mass distribution. This is on “loan” only you have no rights to resell or distribute these plans.

a pirate ship made out of PVC pipes, perfect for halloween and costume parties, made with free pattern and step by step tutorial from fleece fun, with the text "CLICK TO GO TO DOWNLOAD" displayed at the bottom.

Other Pirate Party Ideas:

MORE HALLOWEEN CRAFT PROJECTS:

in building the PVC Pirate Ship:

So when we were a week out from the party I realized I had everything done, finished, ready to go. And then that itch starts. I could do more. And it grows. I could go bigger. Until I just have to scratch it. I’d seen on Pinterest a bunch of tables with a sail on it for a pirate party. Cute right? I even found a tutorial by Cute Bug designs. But why only do one sail….when you could do a whole ship!

I told my husband my idea to build a Pirate ship, and he begged me not to do it. I was kinds of miffed. But I could do it, I thought. So I ignored my husband and made it anyway. Sorry Honey, crazy is as crazy does. And this crazy had to do it! I drafted my plans and headed to my local Home Depot in Riverton, Utah. I gave my cutting list to Patrick in the plumbing department who was sweet and cut all my pipe (I don’t think he knew just how many cuts he would have to do). About halfway through he said:

“What are you making?”

“A pirate ship.”

“Is this project going to be in the paper?”

“No, but it will be on my blog – does that count?”

Silently he continued to cut my 70 ft of PVC pipe into small sections. The sweet guy even helped me take it all to the front since I had two of my kids with me.

Once I was home I just had to assemble it to make sure it worked, and it did! I’ve decided that PVC pipe is basically adult tinker toys.

How to build a pirate ship from pvc pipe

Facebook Pinterest

How to build a Pirate ship out of PVC pipe (tutorial)