[Build Thread] The Sea Ghost (Pirate Ship)

[oldskoolrebel]

I'm currently planning for an upcoming Dungeons and Dragons campaign, the Ghosts of Saltmarsh. It is an anthology of linked adventures, most of which are adapted from older modules. The first adventure is an old 80s adventure, The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh. In the second part of the adventure, the group must sneak onto the Sea Ghost, a smuggler's ship.

The group may have the opportunity to acquire the ship; so I suspected that it might be a fun model project. I apologise in advance for the poor quality of my sketches; it has been years since I sketched anything, and I was never very good. Still, I think it gives you a basic idea.




I've purchased a couple of large 6mm thick sheets of high-density foam that I will use to construct the floor of each level of the ship. I will probably need to reinforce this with some MDF. I'm planning on using something like artist board to construct the external walls; I'm considering using card sheeting to construct planking on the external walls and balsa wood for the internal walls- this will hopefully provide some strength and structure.

I'm looking forward to this construction, I suspect that there will be a lot of mistake made and a lot to learn.

Cheers
Andy

[Mason]

This sounds like a fun build.
I shall be following with much interest, mate.
 

P.S. Nowt wrong with those sketches either.

[6milPhil]

Looks like this will be a good thread. I'd suggest considering foamed PVC ( Palight, foamex, etc. ) for some structure, it's hard-wearing and a little tougher.

Sketches like these are just visual notes to ourselves, yours are fine. 

[OSHIROmodels]

Interesting project mate 

[Braz]

Ah..fond memories of Saltmarsh. Looking forward to seeing it built.

[Andym]

Placeholder! I can’t wait to see this!

[Stroezie]

Cool!
I like me a good ship build!
I've been considering some nautical D&D myself so I'll be following this with interest.

Cheers,
Stroezie.

[Malamute]

Sounds like fun! Keep us posted.

[PhilB]

Looks like a great project!
I recently embarked on a similar project, although my pirate ship is solid below the main deck. Any action that takes place in the lower level will have to be represented on a separate map.

Using a foam core helped give the proper shape to the hull of my ship, with minimal effort. I used 1mm-thick balsa sheets for the hull, soaking them overnight to make them pliable enough to form the hull.

[oldskoolrebel]

I have completed a little work on this project. Starting by taking some 10mm blue foam and inscribing 25mm squares. It’s a bit of a pain, and detracts slightly from the look of the build but I’ll be using the ship for D&D.


Then using the sketch I drew each of the floor plans onto the sheet of foam. I started with the first; drawing the curve of the bow freehand and then using it as a template for the next levels.



All in all I am pretty happy with the results. The next step is tidying the floors up, and scribing individual wooden blanks on the floor. I have had to purchase some 2mm balsa for the internal walls. These will prove useful for strengthening the entire build and providing structure/shape for the hull.

I’m still unsure of what material for use to construct the hull.

Cheers
Andy

[Hu Rhu]

Try balsa wood.  It can be planked and will flex enough to get round the curves.