Somewhere in October 2004 Maureen and I went to Costco with the intent to buy a backyard play-set for our kids.
The $1,000 play set had everything but did not look sturdy and had a lack of imagination. So on a weekend in October I started a project to build a playset for the kids, envisioning it would take $1,500 and about 5-6 weekends.
Now nearly one year later, with over $10,000 invested (including the redesign of the backyard) and with countless everning/weekend hours spent we are nearing completion of phase one. In phase two there will still be a lot to do, but at the request of so many of you here are some shots.
The ship was hand build on land and has become a pirateship sitting on a dock. The dock comes with a drain (crawling tube/hiding spot on the right bottom), two bridges (one onto the dock and one onto the ship). The ship has a mast that holds the halyards for the main and job sail. The ship sits in a sea of blue water (rubber mulch from Miami). The kids can climb from the water onto the top deck of the boat through a hand knotted net, and there is an emergency exit with a speed slide. The poop deck has ports large enough to aim the water guns through and to serve refreshments to new privateers.
The boat is well hidden between trees, where the CapN can still steer himself clear, yet his crew can hide for a spontaneous attack. This weekend the last part being the bow was completed. Privateers can climb into the bow (netting) to feel the spray of the water on their face, yet offering safety in case of a storm.
The $1,000 play set had everything but did not look sturdy and had a lack of imagination. So on a weekend in October I started a project to build a playset for the kids, envisioning it would take $1,500 and about 5-6 weekends.
Now nearly one year later, with over $10,000 invested (including the redesign of the backyard) and with countless everning/weekend hours spent we are nearing completion of phase one. In phase two there will still be a lot to do, but at the request of so many of you here are some shots.
The ship was hand build on land and has become a pirateship sitting on a dock. The dock comes with a drain (crawling tube/hiding spot on the right bottom), two bridges (one onto the dock and one onto the ship). The ship has a mast that holds the halyards for the main and job sail. The ship sits in a sea of blue water (rubber mulch from Miami). The kids can climb from the water onto the top deck of the boat through a hand knotted net, and there is an emergency exit with a speed slide. The poop deck has ports large enough to aim the water guns through and to serve refreshments to new privateers.
The boat is well hidden between trees, where the CapN can still steer himself clear, yet his crew can hide for a spontaneous attack. This weekend the last part being the bow was completed. Privateers can climb into the bow (netting) to feel the spray of the water on their face, yet offering safety in case of a storm. When it hits the next dry-dock I hope to add a little crow-nest on top of the bow sprit (where the horizontal bar is). The next ship that we conquer will have to surrender its anchor so we can hang from the anchor window. The lower deck is build with a curve in it to allow us to travel through shallow water (this took quite some time).
PIRATES RETREAT
Phase one also included development of a 'Pirate's retreat' which is a tropical island (sand-box) for retreat of a tired pirates. This weekend two large Tonka trucks were spotted as it has been rumored that a treasure was found consisting of a large amount of gold. For some strange reason treasures are found regularly hidden in the sand. Fortuntaly the riverstone 'coral reefs' protect the treasures hidden in the send well from the seagrass.
With phase one completed, the ships carpeter looks forward to complete many of the smaller tasks on the Ocean passage this summer. Last night the ship was the scene of a fierce battle when a Dutch Merchant ship privateer (Stefan) tried to capture the treasures. The CapN was armed with (water) guns, and loaded cannons (water balloons).
Phase one also included development of a 'Pirate's retreat' which is a tropical island (sand-box) for retreat of a tired pirates. This weekend two large Tonka trucks were spotted as it has been rumored that a treasure was found consisting of a large amount of gold. For some strange reason treasures are found regularly hidden in the sand. Fortuntaly the riverstone 'coral reefs' protect the treasures hidden in the send well from the seagrass.With phase one completed, the ships carpeter looks forward to complete many of the smaller tasks on the Ocean passage this summer. Last night the ship was the scene of a fierce battle when a Dutch Merchant ship privateer (Stefan) tried to capture the treasures. The CapN was armed with (water) guns, and loaded cannons (water balloons).
The ship sets out to sail for the summer to host several pirate parties, one on September 8 to celebrate the third annual celebration of CapN Luke, but that is for another time.
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