THANK YOU!

A tidal wave of THANK YOUs to all those who have participated in the contest!

It warms the cockles of the most bloodthirstiest pirates heart to gaze upon the creative enthusiasm injected into the submissions and the passion remaining for the LEGO Pirates theme after all these years.

If you’re contemplating entering as a builder or critic, there be another 4 weeks to submit your entry and leave your creative critiques.

August 26  is the official deadline.

HURRY!  ENTRIES CLOSE 23:59 AUGUST 26

When the countdown reaches 00:00:00:00

• New entries will no longer be accepted in the Main Building Category
• New entries will no longer be accepted in the Mini Set Building Category
• New Creative Critic registrations will not be accepted so register now if you’re participating but have not yet registered.
• Those who have registered for Creative Critic but have not provided feedback to entries will automatically be disqualified.

This is your LAST chance to enter!

Remake an existing LEGO Pirate Set Entries

Additional clarification is required regarding the remake an existing LEGO Pirate set entries.

The objective is not create a full blown MOC based on an existing set, rather “update or modernise an existing LEGO Pirate set” in the same way 10320 Eldorado Fortress and Black Seas Barracuda from 21322 Pirates of Barracuda Bay have been officially updated by The LEGO Group.

6278/6292 Enchanted Island Remake by Danny_Boy4 exemplifies the objective

Entries that utilise techniques or part counts that exceed what you’d find in an official LEGO set update won’t be disqualified, however it will be noted during the voting phase that the objective was to remake an existing LEGO Pirate set as though it has been officially updated by The LEGO Group.

Therefore, voters will decide whether the entries meet the requirement, so now entrants may decide whether they wish to revise their entries or submit them as is.

Eldorado Fortress and Black Seas Barracuda Remakes NOW ACCEPTED

The original rules stated “The [remake] creation can be any existing LEGO Pirate set except for 6276 Eldorado Fortress and the 6285/10040 Black Seas Barracuda because they’ve been remade”

However, due to popular demand, this rule has been omitted as some claim there is plenty of room for improvement on what The LEGO Group has officially released.

You may now enter updated designs of Eldorado Fortress and Black Seas Barracuda

Baring in mind, entries should not be “full blown MOCs”, but modernised as though The LEGO Group was updating the sets for a second time.

Please share your thoughts in the Contest Mid-Way Review topic…  or START BUILDING!

NEW Prizes and Building Categories

New Prizes

Fortune smiles upon us and we may be able to procure some more prizes for this contest!

While we can’t offer a third 10320 Eldorado Fortress, we may be able offer sets around the 80€ and 30€ price points, again subject to their availability on LEGO.com.

Which sets in around the 80€ and 30€ price points would you like to WIN?

New Building Categories

But how should we allocate the new prizes? First, second and third place to the current building category?

Or should we open a new building category?

For example a building category for smaller entries – do you think this is a good approach?

Or are there other building categories we should offer?

Share your thoughts on how the prizes should be allocated in the Contest Mid-Way Review topic…

Contest Entries

Looking for a round up of the the entries so far?

Check out the entries index for all the submissions…

What Do Yer Think?

Should just add more prizes to the existing building category or open all new building categories?

Is allowing Black Seas Barracuda and Eldorado Fortress remakes the right move?

Share your thoughts in the Contest Mid-Way Review topic

Or if you’re still considering entering…

Released in 1989, the mighty 6274 Caribbean Clipper is a 378 piece set based on a two-masted sailing ship. Also known as the Sea Hawk, it includes four minifigures, one of which is the rare Governor Broadside minifig. Next to the 6285 Black Sails Barracuda, it’s one of the most iconic and beloved LEGO ships ever made.

Now, more than three decades later, Dorino has dared to reimagine this classic Pirates set. He’s beefed up the hull and incorporated a few aesthetic changes, here and there… and cleverly offers a rather big twist for us regarding the present crew onboard.

Did you know that the original 6274 Caribbean Clipper was the only LEGO ship which had gun ports (flags) facing downwards?
Well, Dorino managed to improve upon that gravity defying designer’s choice

Dorino writes:

Today I present you my very first ship. It’s is not an original design but heavily modified version of our beloved 6274 Caribbean Clipper.

I managed to buy big bulk of old LEGO that included 6285 Black Seas Barracuda but all the sails and most of the masts were missing, and since I already own 21322 Pirates of Barracuda Bay, I decided to build the other ship from 1989!

A scan from the 1989 LEGO Pirates catalogue, arguably one of the best years to be a kid and in love with LEGO Pirates

The Reimagined Classic

Dorino continues:

The first step was to acquire sails, replacement ones were bought from eBay as the original ones were either too expensive or in poor condition.

The best part about original ship is its “forward” style of sails, it was kept untouched until the rigging was added.

The stern is one of the best parts of the ship, the original colour scheme was not kept but yellow and black looks great, too.

Gone is the yellow parrot figurehead and in its place hangs the carcass of an unfortunate pirate who was unable to escape the upgraded vessel

There’s even a crane for hauling treasure which has been stolen reclaimed from those naughty pirates…

Only one mast rigging like on the original? Don’t be absurd? Proper ships have have TWO mast riggings

But wait! Something is amiss – the Soldier crew is no longer present! Governor Broadside and his cronies have vanished! Hmm… maybe that’s what’s left of Broadside in the figurehead?

The Clipper now sails under those vicious pirates who are, apparently distributing fresh fruit and veggies throughout the Brick Seas. Have they taken the King’s pardon and become legitimate merchants!?

Regardless of the crew, this is a lovely re-interpretation of this old classic with great stern contours and few well placed modern upgrades. Governor Broadside (wherever he might be) should be pleased

Tales Upon the Box Art

In certain regions, the box art of earlier pirate sets offered a backstory to fuel the imaginations of the children building them.

Once upon a time the larger LEGO Pirate sets (like 6274 Caribbean Clipper) included reading material

The tale upon the box art of the original 6274 Caribbean Clipper

The first paragraph of the 1989 set stories:

Sometime during the 18th century, a peaceful colony of settlers enjoying the island treasures they discovered, suddenly had their serenity interrupted. The invaders were those who called  themselves the LEGOLAND® Pirates of the Sea! For years, the Pirates had been searching for the same name buried that the settlers were now claiming as their own. This, of course, disturbed the Pirates as they knew the doubloons the settlers found had belonged to their ancestors.

The remaining text in the above image is a bit too small for you to read? Fret not, we will explore those stories in greater detail in another blog post in the near future eventually.

About the Builder…

Dorino (Wiktor Boroń) is a longstanding veteran of the LEGO Pirates Forum on Eurobricks. He’s a versatile builder with an interest in several vastly different LEGO themes; from Trains (his favourite), to Star Wars to land-based City vehicles, all the way to the open seas of Pirates.

For more great work visit his Flickr account and be sure to take a picturesquely stroll through his Photostream as you will be thrilled to discover more than one amazing build awaiting you.

What Do Yer Think?

Do yer think that Dorino should have kept the original colour scheme especially blue/yellow on the stern? Or do yer approve of the Pirates Of Barracuda Bay yellow and black? What about the length? Does it look kinda “fat” with only one hull middle section, or it’s cute and adorable (like yer fat cat)?

What does the Caribbean Clipper have in common with a tugboat?

If you were Governor Broadside, would yer approve it, or would you demand the original?

Let us know!  The Classic Pirates are waiting for you in the most swashbuckling LEGO Pirates forum in the world!

In a world governed by human masters, and overrun by their loyal barking servants, one species rose above their restrictive servitude with gnashing teeth and claws… quite literally! They take no quarter, kneel to no one, and if sufficiently cute, bend the world around their very will. From their purr-spective, the sun revolves around them. They are, of course, Plunder cats!

In this colourful and neatly packed MOC, LEGO Pirates Forum veteran (hosted by Eurobricks) Oky, explores the concept of what may eventuate should a flock of felines overcame their distaste for water and turned to a life of piracy, complete with their own safe haven on a mountainous isle known as the Cat Skull Island.

Cat Skull Island, the last bastion of freedom and endless napping – no barking allowed!

Oky writes:

PlunderCats are on the move, PlunderCats are loose!

The PlunderCats are a band of ferocious feline pirates lead by the fearsome Captain Fluffybeard. Their hideout is located in the middle of the Caribbean on Cat Skull Island and is essentially a big cat tree.

I hope you like my entry for the pi-RATS & BUG-aneers contest on Bricknerd.

The Crew

Oky has sourced far and wide to fantastic use of the various cat-themed minifigure parts. Can you identify which sets and minifigs the parts have originated from?

Captain Fluffybeard and his fearsome feline crew ready to wreak havoc upon the world, right after some milk and a long nap

Captain Redbeard, Ironhook, Brick Beard and even Metalbeard cannot withstand the pounce of the felonious feline known as Captain Fluffybeard!

A Tour Around The Furball Hideout

Unlike other islands scattered among the Caribbean, Cat Skull Island is unique, easily distinguish by the immense cat skull at the mountain peak

Their ship is little more than a crate with sails; cats after all, usually place more interest in the box, rather than the box’s actual contents. Although, sailing is perhaps a fruitless venture, for their seamanship is rather limited due to their tendency to utilise the sails as scratching posts. As you can well imagine, drapes aren’t readily upon the high seas, unless these kitty crusaders happen to plunder a Home Décor cargo fluyt.

It seems that the Discovery Channel didn’t lie, among felidae family, females are superior hunters

The island was once inhabited by the mysterious Mouselanders until the PlunderCats relentlessly hunted them and drove them to yonder shores. A statue buried within the sands offers a scant reminder of their once magnificent culture. And yes, that is a cat poop right next to it. After all, what is a beach but a giant litter box?

That’s a turd alright. There, right there in the sand! Hmm… if you think about it, they transformed this whole beach into a minefield (gasp!)

The PlunderCats are constantly pursued by the Imperial Guard Dogs, but have recently succeeded in capturing their arch enemy, Admiral Barkington. Holding him for ransom while confined within a barred kennel, they tantilise him with a delicious bone just beyond his reach. Needless to mention, the admiral’s fury meets no bounds!

Admiral Barkington, caught and extremely unhappy inside a prison cell which happens to resemble a huge pet transport box

Inside their cat tree house lies table with a treasure map and various chests and barrels. Captain Fluffybeard also houses a parrot her –  in case he wants a snack to play with.

I know what you are thinking, there must be gold inside that chest… Oh how wrong. you be! As these are cats, so they probably use the chest as another box for napping

Outside the hut, femme fatale felines are amidst a swashbuckling cat fight. One stands at the ready upon a rickety bridge connecting the tree house to the guard tower, below the hairball cannon is armed to defend against offshore intruders!

With so many kitties present, one may speculate that a crazy cat lady lurks within the shadows – perhaps your island voodoo witch

Aye, fire those hairballs away! And make double-sure they’re packed with fleas and kitty litter! That’ll teach those Imperial dogs to keep their distance!

A PlunderCat has tumbled head-first from the hut’s roof into a barrel of catnip, upsetting a carton of milk and spilling it EVERYWHERE! Yer know, because…  he’s a cat. A crane sits beneath, and while not employed to haul supplies into the cat tree house, it make an extremely effective dangly for cat toys.

Captain Fluffybeard is known to spend hours each day playing with improving his swordsmanship with the fearsome dangling toy

Upon one of the platforms, two extremely renown cat musicians, keyboard piano cat and bongo cat, play merry sea shanties entertaining the island’s inhabitants.  Let us hope they don’t catch a cold and go viral!

For your entertainment only, ‘Everything is Awesome‘, in lounge cover by Richard Cheese PlunderCats

Near the peak of Cat Skull Mountain, inside the giant cat head is a chamber in which the PlunderCats store their most prized treasure; The Golden Cheezburger. An emancipated skeleton serves as a timely reminder to thieves that no one dare claim the treasure but the PlunderCats! Cascading from the giant skull, a waterfall pours into the river below… like a cat barfing onto carpet.

The Golden Cheezburger, most prized treasure of the PlunderCats.

Just hope the precious cheese won’t attract piRATs this way….Get it? pi – RATS? As in rats, who love the cheese and are also pirates! YARRR HAAA HAAA HAAAA!!!

About the Builder…

Oky is a motion graphics artist who graduated from the Art Institute of California. While his parents are Turkish, he was born in Berlin but moved to the United States in 2005. The result – he can speak 3 languages fluently! Aside from LEGO, he is obsessed with cartoons, especially PIXAR animations, fueling his obsession with Toy Story sets. His favorite colour is lime green while his favorite animals are frogs and cats (who would have guessed?).

He been a longstanding member of the Eurobricks forum since 2007, and has miraculously avoided experiencing one of those ominous “Dark Ages“. His brick projects include building licensed theme MOCs, shooting single-pane funnies, and writing killer set reviews inside – all of which are listed here.

If images are more to your liking, rather than wrestling with reviews, visit his Flickr profile and you’ll fast learn why he’s gained near 3,000 followers!

What Do Yer Think?

Now the question remains… if the island was originally inhabited by a tribe of Mouselanders, why be there a humongous cat skull carved into mountain’s peak? Can you conceive an explanation so we may resolve this plot discrepancy and move on with our lives? Are you flabbergasted this adorable entry failed to trounce its opposition in the pi-RATS & BUG-aneers contest on Bricknerd? The winning MOC was actually a rat, a pirate rat. So which do you deem better? Island or at? Share your thoughts in the most swashbuckling LEGO Pirates forum in the world. Play us out, Bongo Cat!

Hello Kitty!