[MOD] 31109 Creator Pirate Ship MOD of Combining 2 Sets

[Wurger49]

This topic has a lot of photos inside, to make it easier for everyone to see the latest version of my MOD, I have editted this first post to show version 5, 14th Nov 2020.

Your feedback is welcome or share your MOD ideas Please!

Port View by R Y, on Flickr

Bow by R Y, on Flickr

Stern Starboard by R Y, on Flickr

My Lego collection consisted mainly of SW sets and its MOCs, I was tempted to get the 21322 Barracuda Bay when it came out in April but decided to save up for the UCS A-Wing, which I still haven’t got around to build yet, I have been modify the 75175 A-wing.

A-Wing Mod by R Y, on Flickr

I wasn’t too keen on the 31109 Creator Pirate Ship when I first saw its photos, especially the brick-built sails. During the Queen’s Birthday long weekend, I was reading posts on OZLUG of buying multiple sets to make it a bigger ship; that grabbed my attention as I mod all Lego sets where possible after I figured out Bricklink. However, at RRP of $160 AUD each, I might as well just buy the 21322 for $300 AUD; then again thanks to OZLUG, I realised that they are $119 at Kmart, meaning $238 worth of investment, no brainer! I quickly read up on reviews from Brickset and Brother’s Brick, how the completely brick-built design is its selling point, instead of using specialized boat hull pieces. My local Kmart had no stock, so I went to the next nearest one, nothing on the shelves again and a store girl told me all they have is already on the shelfs even though the online stock check shows limited availability. Disappointed, I was about the leave the store empty handed before I talked past the customer service counter, there was only one person in line so I decided to wait and check. The service girl was very helpful and checked the stock room for me, it turned out they do have three at the back, which I gladly picked up two; she told me apparently people try to steal Lego all the time, so they keep the good stuff at the back.

I had to wait for my baby to settle and sleep before started building that night. As the original model is built in 3 sections: bow with forecastle, waist, stern with captain’s cabin; I decided to build 2 x waists sections and have 3 masts. I always build repetition sections step by step simultaneously instead of finishing one section and start another, personally I find this method quicker. My aim is to stick to the original Lego design and finish the hull asap, redesign the masts into foremast, mainmast and mizzen mast, and use the remaining pieces to touch up and make the 2 waists transition smoothly.

31109 Long Side View by R Y, on Flickr

I wanted to rig the ship from the bowsprit to the stern flagpole, I had to move the “Plate Round 2 x 2 with Pin Hole and 4 Arms Up” to the mainmast beneath the lookout so the arms are equal distance to the diagonal spars from the foremast and mizzen mast. I spent more time on the foremast and rigging than any other sections. I tried a few different arrangements before settled down on the current layout, where the rigging goes down to the bowsprit from the upside-down diagonal spar. I used light bluish grey Technic Bush instead of the yellow ones provided. The hose piece is still slightly short and the bowsprit is pulled upwards, but the jib sail hides most of it. Overall, I was happy that I achieved my goal.

Masts and Rigging by R Y, on Flickr

I added a 1 x 2 red brown plate to each of the gun port openings so they are not too close to the waterline, I initially wanted to add 2 pieces per opening, but they were too high and affected the guns inside.

You can tell where each of the section ends with the breaks from the 3027 6 x 16 plate in dark tan secured with 2 x 2 blue round tiles. I made sure the 1 x 4 special plates overlap the gap to secure the sections. The alternating red and light orange strip along the deck worked out perfectly, I was initially worried that I may get a double up of same coloured plates with my MOD.

Joins of the Sections by R Y, on Flickr

As Lego only gives half the number of guns compare to the gun ports, having 2 sets gives me 4 guns to fill up the front gun deck, squeezed 2 minifigs inside with torches.

Gun Deck with Baboon by R Y, on Flickr

I plated over the opening next to the gangways on the 2^nd waist, to make it look like a quarterdeck, but not really raised due to the limitation of my skills in the mod. I really like the brick-built rowing boat from the alternative Skull Island bult, I made it longer using 2 x 2 slopes at the stern and made other changes as certain parts were already used in the main ship built. I also built a boat rack with 4 cheese slopes and some plates. The rowing boat fills up on the empty quarterdeck perfectly, I really like how it turned out.

Rowing Boat by R Y, on Flickr

With the 2 sets of 3 human minifigs, I swapped around their outfits, brought in a pair of black legs to swap out the peg leg. Now I have 6 different minifigs, I left out the epaulette for the officer to differentiate him from the captain.  

a9 by R Y, on Flickr

a8 by R Y, on Flickr

I built the red/green parrot and blue seagull according to the instructions, again had to use some different pieces due to availability. Lastly, I added the pet baboon hanging off the shroud, it’s a really fun build where its arms and waist are twistable to get a good pose.  

Baboon by R Y, on Flickr

I really liked how this MOD turned out, this is probably the cheapest and easiest way to get a Lego 8-gun full-rigged-ship (three or more masts), even the 21322 only has only two masts. It’s around 58cm long from the tip of the bowsprit to the edge of stern flag, around 36cm tall from the tip of mainmast to the bottom of the hull, 19cm wide at the horizontal spars. With the elongated waist, it makes the forecastle and poop deck seem small in comparison, a bit out of proportion to be honest; but at this stage, I don’t have the skills to design and make them bigger.

Side Front View by R Y, on Flickr

Top Front View by R Y, on Flickr

Back View by R Y, on Flickr

Edited November 14, 2020 by Wurger49

[Dies Irae]

I like your mod! I bought only one set but agree that the entire brick built nature of this set opens up more modding possibilities. 

[Merlict]

That's rather nice, how many bricks were left over?

[Wurger49]

37 minutes ago, Merlict said:

That's rather nice, how many bricks were left over?

hundreds of bricks were left over, I built 2 sharks as they are cool. 

[GeoBrick]

It definitely feels like a complete ship. Maybe just the forecastle feels out of place now, could be modded a bit larger now.

[Wurger49]

55 minutes ago, GeoBrick said:

It definitely feels like a complete ship. Maybe just the forecastle feels out of place now, could be modded a bit larger now.

My thoughts too, but haven’t figured out how yet. There are only 2 studs of space left to play with then there is the gun deck opening; can’t really go taller as it’s already quite narrow.

[Jack Sassy]

This brings the ship to a whole new level, well done.

[Mister Phes]

On 6/13/2020 at 1:46 AM, Wurger49 said:

I was tempted to get the 21322 Barracuda Bay when it came out in April but decided to save up for the UCS A-Wing

[Wurger49]

Since Lego pieces are not glued down, there is a constant urge inside me to modify and improve on my models. With the additional waist section of the ship, the forecastle and poop deck are slightly out of scale in relation to the whole ship. The poop deck and the captain’s cabin are very hard for me to mod, so I decided to concentrate on the forecastle.

I started with closing off the front façade, utilising spare pieces from the 2^nd set: using red and gold bricks, plates, studs and window panes to create the wall; then brown bricks, plates and round top window pane to create a door in the middle.

Front by R Y, on Flickr

Bow by R Y, on Flickr

I used inverted slopes to create a flight of stairs from the forecastle, I added it to the starboard side to balance the port side one on the poop deck. I tried to make it go down towards the stern initially, but there was no space so had to make it go down to the port side. For the railing on the stairway, I used Slope Curved 4 x 1 No Studs to cater for the step down and it mirrors nicely with the one on the poop deck. On the port side of the forecastle, I had to use my own tan plates to increase the deck by 2 studs deep. On the first version, I also included a balustrade made up of 1 x 3 black plate and two 1 x 1 gold cones to mirror the one on the poop deck; but I removed it in the end as it’s too crowded.

Forecastle Top by R Y, on Flickr

Forecastle Starboard by R Y, on Flickr

Forecastle Stair by R Y, on Flickr

The sides of the forecastle walls are widened by adding one extra window, 2 studs wide, replicating the original design, finishing with a cheese slope each side on top of Plate Special 1 x 2 Rounded. I had to take the two 2 x 2 slopes from my rowing boat for the base of the window. As I was removing pieces for the new shorter railing going down the hull; I optimised the use of plates, overlap where possible, and use long plates instead multiple of short plates.

Anchor in the right position by R Y, on Flickr

In the first mod, I only had one anchor even though I had a spare from the 2^nd set, I completed forgot about it. To make the anchors sit horizontally as how they suppose to be while sailing, I swapped the gold stud on the bow with a black cheese slope, the anchor bar can rest in between the cheese slope and the horizontal brown bar that holds the hose.

Brown Cheese Slope replacing Gold Stud by R Y, on Flickr

Two Thirds View by R Y, on Flickr

Port Elevation by R Y, on Flickr

[Captain Braunsfeld]

Very good indeed. Baboon is positively noted! (That is actually why you need the second set) 

[Wurger49]

After building the Barracuda Bay, my MOD is no match for it...

IMG_1234 by R Y, on Flickr

IMG_1235 by R Y, on Flickr

IMG_1236 by R Y, on Flickr

[Wurger49]

Modding of the 2 set combo of 31109 Creator Pirate Ship stopped after I lengthened the forecastle by an extra window frame, as I struggled to find a way to increase the aftercastle's length. When I saw MOC YOUR BRICKS's youtube video "Lego Creator 31109 Upgrade !!! Lady Cutlass ", I loved it, I watched and studied parts of the video on repeat and decided to utilise his designs. I initially thought I could just copy his aftercastle design, but after I removed the the clip on units built around 30099 Arch 1 x 5 x 4 Inverted, I realised I can't without a complete rebuild of that section. I rotated the 30241b Black Brick with Open O Clip inwards, connect the 3 Unit window frames one stud in from the hull, like how the forecastle window frames are installed, I used 18653 Arch 1 x 3 x 2 Inverted to connect to the railings as the bigger 30099 is one stud too long for the arrangement of gold round plates underneath the railing. To hold up the deck, I used 2339 Arch 1 x 5 x 4 - Continuous Bow like MYB, I added 88292 Arch 1 x 3 x 2 to provide lateral support for the above plates. The new 3 window frames are aligned horizontally with the orginal 3 window frames, locked in hinge plate at the front, arches on the side, and the original LEGO design at the back. 

I made small changes to my forecastle design, removed the staircase, used 2 black window frames as I had to move the red ones to the aftercastle, installed 2 cannons. 

I really liked how MYB used technic connectors to create his lateen-rigged mizzen, I used his design to create the spanker sail spar, spare white plates are used to make the sail. 

I really appreciate the great videos uploaded by MOC YOUR BRICKS, I would not have made the latest changes to my Pirate Ship if it wasn't for his video. 

bow port revised by R Y, on Flickr

port revised by R Y, on Flickr

stern starboard revised by R Y, on Flickr

bow by R Y, on Flickr

forecastle back by R Y, on Flickr

aftercastle opening by R Y, on Flickr

aftercastle by R Y, on Flickr

aftercastle deck by R Y, on Flickr

aftercastle deck detail by R Y, on Flickr

spanker by R Y, on Flickr

Edited September 8, 2020 by Wurger49

[Mister Phes]

On 6/13/2020 at 1:46 AM, Wurger49 said:

I was tempted to get the 21322 Barracuda Bay when it came out in April but decided to save up for the UCS A-Wing, which I still haven’t got around to build yet, I have been modify the 75175 A-wing.

Thank you for sharing this in the forum and Classic Pirates Facebook Group.

[Wurger49]

4 minutes ago, Mister Phes said:

Thank you for sharing this in the forum and Classic Pirates Facebook Group.

thank you! sharing to help others with their mods

[jan kusters]

I really like the mod with the 'doubled' for- and aft cabins! Much better proportions over all! I think this also shows the strength of a fully brick build; it invites for this kind of 'deep' modifications. With the classic builds with big hull parts, it is just too inviting to just slap in another section and end up with a stretched limo-look.

[Wurger49]

2 hours ago, jan kusters said:

I really like the mod with the 'doubled' for- and aft cabins! Much better proportions over all! I think this also shows the strength of a fully brick build; it invites for this kind of 'deep' modifications. With the classic builds with big hull parts, it is just too inviting to just slap in another section and end up with a stretched limo-look.

Yes, the brick built design really helps with mods, I am happy that I finally mananged to lengthen the aftercastle. 

[Wurger49]

Now that I finally lengthened the aftercastle, I turned my attention to the beakhead. It's strange that Lego's original design sloped down into the figurehead. I got the idea of using 6005 Arch 1 x 3 x 2 Curved Top from MOC YOUR BRICKS again, it's perfect for the rails of the head when decorated by gold round plates. I added one 3747b inverted 3 x 2 slope to the knee of the head, turned 30363 4 x 2 slope around so the beakhead is going upwards. This time I have taken parts assembly photos to make it easier for others, and all parts are from the original 2 x Lego sets, 31109 Creator Pirate Ship.

I have made a small change to the aftercastle deck: I removed one 2 x 4 plate, one 1 x 4 plate, replaced them with 4 x 4 plate. This is to cover the gap between pieces where the new section is added original poop deck. 

beakhead 1 by R Y, on Flickr

beakhead 2 by R Y, on Flickr

assembly 1 by R Y, on Flickr

assembly 2 by R Y, on Flickr

aftercastle deck by R Y, on Flickr

bow port by R Y, on Flickr

port view by R Y, on Flickr

Edited September 8, 2020 by Wurger49

[Wurger49]

LEGO 21322 Ideas Pirates of Barracuda Bay vs LEGO 31109 Creator Pirate Ship MOD

21322 vs 31109 MOD1 by R Y, on Flickr

21322 vs 31109 MOD2 by R Y, on Flickr

21322 vs 31109 MOD3 by R Y, on Flickr

21322 vs 31109 MOD4 by R Y, on Flickr

 

 

 

Edited September 11, 2020 by Wurger49

[PirateRoberts]

Enjoy the mod, wow it really is small next to the Barracuda.

I have thought of buying this set, might just pick it up. Thank you for the great pictures!

[Wurger49]

12 hours ago, PirateRoberts said:

Enjoy the mod, wow it really is small next to the Barracuda.

I have thought of buying this set, might just pick it up. Thank you for the great pictures!

Thank you, the brick built design is really great, I really enjoyed the built and would recommend it to anyone.

Edited September 13, 2020 by Wurger49

[Corydoras]

Hmmm. Not really a fan of this modification. I feel it looks awkwardly, almost comically long.

[Wurger49]

12 hours ago, Corydoras said:

Hmmm. Not really a fan of this modification. I feel it looks awkwardly, almost comically long.

As it doesn't use specialised hull pieces, the brick built hull has a low freeboard; combined it with adding an entire mid-hull section from the original LEGO design, makes the ship look long. I made the forecastle deeper by adding another window frame, with the MYB's video, I added the 3 window frame to the aftercastle too, doing the most to balance the MOD. 

What would you suggest?

[Corydoras]

On 9/17/2020 at 2:46 PM, Wurger49 said:

As it doesn't use specialised hull pieces, the brick built hull has a low freeboard; combined it with adding an entire mid-hull section from the original LEGO design, makes the ship look long. I made the forecastle deeper by adding another window frame, with the MYB's video, I added the 3 window frame to the aftercastle too, doing the most to balance the MOD. 

What would you suggest?

I'd start with extending the masts by at least 50%.

[Wurger49]

On 9/21/2020 at 4:59 AM, Corydoras said:

I'd start with extending the masts by at least 50%.

The masts of the ship is made with technic round connectors and axels, held in place with ziplines vertically and horizontally. As those hoses are set length, it's very difficult to lengthend the mast as they become wobbly. The only way around it is to use custom rigging, but I quite like how Lego implemented the ziplines instead of their normal shrouds. 

[SteamSewnEmpire]

If you're willing to make small changes, my only advice (to echo others) would be sail alterations - namely, heightening the fore mast a bit, the main mast more, and then adding additional yards to both. Ships with a full level rig weren't really introduced until the 19th Century (clipper ships, for example, had all masts of roughly equal height). Introducing significant variations in mast height would make this look more like its own creation.

Now, as you said, this would likely require redesigning the masts a fair amount, but it probably wouldn't be more than about $10 USD on Bricklink to accomplish this.

Edited September 23, 2020 by SteamSewnEmpire