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!
For this project 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 (I used this one here)
Glue gun
twine
Special thanks to Cute Bug Designs for inspiring this project.
How to build a Pirate ship out of PVC pipe (tutorial)
Step One – 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. 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 Two – Assemble and test
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 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 Three – Trim the Sails
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 Four: How to Present the ship
I put my ship on a 6 foot banquet table. I just let the front hand off the table. I then 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 your could make it into a sprinkler/ water play thing. Just glue the pipes together add a hose and a sprinkler attachments to the top s 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 pict if you make one – I’d love to see it!
Download the Printable:
Click photo of the ship 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.
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