LEGO Ideas - Expired MOCs

“The Yacht Peggy” by Greg3

Even though LEGO Ideas still restricts submissions of any Pirate-ship concept, dedicated pirate smugglers builders are always skilful in finding a loophole in any oppressive system, LEGO Ideas included. For the time being, here in 2022, that loophole for sailing ships is the ‘History’ category.

Hailing from the Isle of Man, a Eurobricks veteran and accomplished builder, Greg3 shares his LEGO Product Idea submission of The Yacht Peggy”, the oldest surviving schooner and one of the best preserved examples non-military 18th century craft.


The Yacht Peggy without sails

The sails made of plates are a bit heavy to be waved around during the light play. Luckily, they can be easily removed and added back

Greg3 writes:

I’ve always been interested in local history, especially that relating to the sea, so building a LEGO version of the Peggy seemed a great idea! I based the build on her post 1802 appearance with a brick built hull (which took some experimenting with but it’s pretty sturdy… it’s even quite swooshable!).

I went for a minifig scale and included a crew, removable guns and cargo. Being minifig scale means it can also be “played with” and used as part of a larger display or layout. Despite being from a later period, I think she’d look good as part of a pirate layout or any harbour/port scene up to the modern day.

The term “Minifig Illusion Scale” is used to describe an approximation of a life-size vessel scaled to relative to the height of a LEGO minifigure. This conversion, however, presents a challenge for builders since minifigures are not proportional representations of the average human. In other words, minifigs are too short and too wide – the front of their torso is a mere 2D representation of a 3D body!

Imagine you enlarge your Captain Redbeard minifigure to match your height, say around 182cm (6 feet). Now stand next to him and compared yourselves. side by side. The girth of his waist would be ridiculously out of proportion compared to yours. Savvy?

Blueprints of the yacht Peggy

To achieve the build in minifig scale, Greg3 used available blueprint of the real Peggy and aimed to match 1 stud for every foot. The real life vessel is 27ft long

When builders aim for accurate representations at Minifig illusion scale, they must accept sacrifices in length or width, or sometimes both. Fortunately, in terms of shipbuilding, the smaller the real-life vessel, the smaller the sacrifice in conversion to LEGO MOC.

This is useful knowledge to bare, should ye wake one day and feel emboldened to scale down Lord Nelson HMS Victory – you’ll face some hard decisions in achieving the optimum proportions during that endeavour!


What is a Schooner?

Peggy's crew engaged in a fight

The Peggy, the oldest surviving schooner engaged in a fight with an imaginary foe.

A schooner is a type of a sailing vessel defined by its rig: fore-and-aft rigged, and in the case of a two-masted schooner, the foremast generally being shorter than the mainmast.

The name “schooner” first appeared in eastern North America in the early 1700s. The name may be related to a Scots word meaning to skip over water, or to skip stones.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A model of the Peggy in Nautical Museum

A model of the schooner Peggy at the Nautical Museum in Quayle’s house


The Tale of Peggy

Built in 1789 for a prominent local businessman and politician, George Quayle, The Peggy was originally fitted with 6 oar-ports and a schooner rigged sail plan. She was also one of the first vessels to be fitted with sliding keels. These three keels could be raised or lowered depending on the conditions to maximise speed and stability.

George Quayle and his crew

The centre minifigure is a splendid representation of George Quayle based on the portrait in the top-right of the above image

In 1796, Quayle sailed The Peggy over to England and took part in a regatta on Lake Windermere with great success. During an eventful return journey, he survived a storm thanks to Peggy’s sturdy design.

View at the bow of Peggy

The technique used for hull is eye catching and quite sturdy, it’s almost swooshable*

*Swooshable is a term used to describe the robustness of a LEGO MOC, particularly when the builder handles it like a traditional toy and role plays sounds as though the creation was in motion.

In 1802, the Peggy underwent modification; raising the sides, filling in the oar ports and removing the sliding keels. She was transformed into a pure sailing vessel, more seaworthy and greater, yet limited capacity for cargo or passengers. She was also armed with 6 light swivel guns and 2 larger stern chaser cannons.

The stern view on Yacht Peggy

The Peggy, fully equipped with 6 swivel guns and 2 stern cannons… Bluecoats beware!

Some Bluecoats have suggested these changes imply that Quayle was involved in criminal activities, such as smuggling, especially because he had a private dock and a boat house cellar.

George Quayle boat house with cellar

Quayle’s house in Castletown, now the Nautical Museum with a boat house and a cellar where the Peggy was stored

However, others argue that Quayle was also an officer in the local Imperial Guards defence force, and this was at the height of the Napoleonic wars. So the armament may have been to provide protection from Soldiers French privateers. Either way, when George Quayle died in 1835, The Peggy was simply bricked up in her boat cellar and completely abandoned.

Quayle's house and cellar for Peggy

The Peggy’s boat cellar where she was stored for almost 200 years

Then in 1935, a hundred years later, she was rediscovered in excellent condition along with her masts, spars, guns and even the original sliding keels. In the 1940s/50s Quayle’s house became the Nautical Museum with the Peggy, still in her boat cellar, as the museum centrepiece.

Quayle's house and cellar for Peggy

The extraction of the Peggy from her home with the crane in 2015

In 2015, the increased risk of flooding and gradual deterioration condition of the boat saw The Peggy moved from her home. She was taken to a temperature and humidity controlled facility where modern technology is being used to thoroughly examine and document her structure, while stabilising and restoring any damage.

Broadside view of Yacht Peggy

The real Peggy is due to return to public view in 2025, until then we can enjoy her LEGO alternative


Not Familiar with LEGO Ideas?

LEGO Ideas is a website which allows users to submit their MOCs (My Own Creation) and if they manage to attract 10,000 supporters, the creation may become an official LEGO set available commercially, or it may be rejected during the review process.

As we need more Pirates ships, ahem, historic themed sail boats turned into official sets, Classic-Pirates are counting on you Pirate fan to do your duty! Click on the SUPPORT button and give your thumb-up for this creation.

Illustration drawing of Peggy

The inspiring artwork of the Peggy of Castletown on her journey to become an official LEGO Idea set


About the Builder…

Greg3 is an accomplished builder who sails to us from the Isle of Man, a place packed with great history and breathtaking locations which would inspire even a non-builder to build something awesome! His strongest influences are real historical places, objects, and events based on historical warfare.

Far from being a beginner, one of the Greg3’s designs was turned into a kit by Brickmania. For his other LEGO work you can always visit and follow Greg3 on his Instagram account, or Flickr profile.

Before we part our ways, visit us on LEGO Pirates forum, or write your comment about this creation by clicking the big red shinny button below. If you don’t have time for writing, and you are all about building and playing, then go ahead and join BoBS (not BOOBS), the best game for Adults AFOLs ever made.

Discuss

In Forum
'Steve's Challenge' by Christophh More

"Steve's Challenge" by Christophh

'The Crimson Raider' by Andy-Roo More

"The Crimson Raider" by Andy-Roo

'Sneaking Steve' by YellowFrog More

"Sneaking Steve" by YellowFrog

' Steves Youth at the Imperial Manor by the Sea' by TheBrickshipyard86 More

" Steves Youth at the Imperial Manor by the Sea" by TheBrickshipyard86

'Rusty Rudder Pub' by Chris Boyd More

"Rusty Rudder Pub" by Chris Boyd

'Captain Steve of the Revenant' by Sebeus and Legostone More

"Captain Steve of the Revenant" by Sebeus and Legostone

'Fort de Soleil' by -DoNe- More

"Fort de Soleil" by -DoNe-

'Lighthouse Keeper Steve' by Johnnyopies More

"Lighthouse Keeper Steve" by Johnnyopies

'Escape from Cave Island' by Brendan McGnarley More

"Escape from Cave Island" by Brendan McGnarley

'Caught by the Armada Coast Guard' by Quotenotto More

"Caught by the Armada Coast Guard" by Quotenotto

'Skull’s Eye Schooner' by SevenDeadlyStreamers More

"Skull’s Eye Schooner" by SevenDeadlyStreamers

'Steve's Hand Emporium' by Bingowaldorf More

"Steve's Hand Emporium" by Bingowaldorf

'Tapu Island' by Marooned Marin More

"Tapu Island" by Marooned Marin

'Steve Arrives at the Enchanted Island' by Horation More

"Steve Arrives at the Enchanted Island" by Horation

'Infant Steve Recruited As Royal Spy' by LOTR More

"Infant Steve Recruited As Royal Spy" by LOTR

'The King’s Merchant' by Marooned Marin More

"The King’s Merchant" by Marooned Marin

'Steve's Treasure Hunt' by Kolonial Beamter de Martinez-slider More

"Steve's Treasure Hunt" by Kolonial Beamter de Martinez

' The Merchant vessel Margaret Hamilton' by Elephant Knight More

"The Merchant Vessel Margaret Hamilton" by Elephant Knight

'The Child - Steve's Childhood' by MyFirstMOC-Hun More

"The Child - Steve's Childhood" by MyFirstMOC-Hun

'Escape from the Imperial Trading Post' by A_Goodman More

"Escape from the Imperial Trading Post" by A_Goodman

'End of the Pier' by Elephant Knight More

"End of the Pier" by Elephant Knight

'Steve's Island Holiday' by YellowFrog More

"Steve's Island Holiday" by YellowFrog

'Steve's Origins in the Desert' by Horation More

"Steve's Origins in the Desert" by Horation

'Steve's Boat' by MyFirstMOC-Hun More

"Steve's Boat" by MyFirstMOC-Hun

'Steve's Upgraded Cutter (The Untold Story)' by Andy-Roo More

"Steve's Upgraded Cutter (The Untold Story)" by Andy-Roo

'Steve's Double-Crossing' by YellowFrog More

"Steve's Double-Crossing" by YellowFrog

'Infamous Steve and the Fountain of Fortune' by Juhlhaus More

"Infamous Steve and the Fountain of Fortune" by Juhlhaus

'Quadruplets?' by Yellow Frog More

"Quadruplets?" by Yellow Frog

'The Final Task' by Math Wizard More

"The Final Task" by Math Wizard

'Steve's Arrival in Port Royal' by Captain Braunsfeld More

"Steve's Arrival in Port Royal" by Captain Braunsfeld

Steve's Doom by MyFirstMOC-Hun More

"Steve's Doom" by MyFirstMOC-Hun

'Steve Origins: Meeting Redbeard' by Oky More

"Steve Origins: Meeting Redbeard" by Oky

'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner' by Samarth More

"The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" by Samarth

'International Society of Steve' by BrynnOfCastlegate More

"International Society of Steve" by BrynnOfCastlegate

'Steve meets Cap'n Tongs!' by SevenDeadlyStreamers More

"Steve meets Cap’n Tongs!" by SevenDeadlyStreamers

'Steve's First Voyage' by SpacePolice89 More

"Steve's First Voyage" by SpacePolice89

'Steve's Hideout' by MyFirstMOC-Hun More

"Steve's Hideout" by MyFirstMOC-Hun

'Origin of Steve the Merchant' by SevenDeadlyStreamers More

"Origin of Steve the Merchant" by SevenDeadlyStreamers

'Found Forbidden Fortune' by Thewatchman More

"Found Forbidden Fortune" by Thewatchman

'From Merchant to Pirate' by Yatkuu/Gregory Coquelz More

"From Merchant to Pirate" by Yatkuu/Gregory Coquelz

'Shipwrecked Merchant Steve in Need of Rescue and Pants' by LeChuck-MD More

"Shipwrecked Merchant Steve in Need of Rescue and Pants" by LeChuck-MD

'Mini Imperial Trading Post' by SevenDeadlyStreamers and daughter More

"Mini Imperial Trading Post" by SevenDeadlyStreamers and his daughter Sydney

Infamous Steve Contest Entries

Contest Info

Smashing Historic MOCs

Pick A Brick

LEGO.com

THE HOTTEST SETS

Shop Now

The Endurance

Shop Now

Santa's Post Office

Shop Now

Eldorado Fortress

Shop Now

Shackleton's Lifeboat

Shop Now

Space Tic Tac Toe

Shop Now

X-Men: The X-Mansion

Shop Now

Botanical Garden

Shop Now

Jabba's Sail Barge™

Shop Now

Halloween Barn

Shop Now

Ghostbusters™ ECTO-1

Shop Now

Jungle Explorer Water Plane

Shop Now

Gringotts™ Wizarding Bank – Collectors' Edition

Shop Now

Batman™: The Classic TV Series Batmobile™

Shop Now

The Dark Falcon

Shop Now

Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas

Shop Now

The Burrow – Collectors' Edition

Shop Now

Arctic Explorer Truck and Mobile Lab

Shop Now

Harry Potter™ 2024 Advent Calendar

Shop Now

Exotic Parrot

Shop Now

Battle Bus

Shop Now

Chewbacca

Shop Now

Never Witch's Midnight Raven

Shop Now

Tuxedo Cat

Shop Now

Clone Trooper™ & Battle Droid™ Battle Pack

Shop Now

Jaws

Shop Now

Castle Nocturnia

Shop Now

Travel Moments

Shop Now

Imperial Star Destroyer™

Shop Now

Eldorado Fortress

Shop Now

Creator 3 in 1 Pirate Ship

Shop Now

THE HOTTEST SETS

Shop Now

Traditional Chess Set

Shop Now

Lamborghini Countach 5000 Quattrovalvole

Shop Now

Bumblebee

Shop Now

Great Deku Tree 2-in-1

Shop Now

Retro Radio

Shop Now

The Lord of the Rings: Barad-dûr™

Shop Now

42180 Technic Mars Crew Exploration

Shop Now

76435 Hogwarts Castle: The Great Hall

Shop Now

LEGO™ Minifigures Series 26

Shop Now

TIE Interceptor™

Shop Now

Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon's Tale

Shop Now

Ninjago: Dragons Rising

Shop Now

60439 Space Science Lab

Shop Now

76428 Hagrid's Hut: An Unexpected Visit

Shop Now

10332 Medieval Town Square

Shop Now

76417 Gringotts™ Wizarding Bank – Collectors' Edition

Shop Now

10326 Natural History Museum

Shop Now

80113 Family Reunion Celebration

Shop Now

31141 Main Street

Shop Now

THE NEWEST SETS

Shop Now

10320 Eldorado Fortress

Shop Now

60438 Sailboat

Shop Now

21338 A-Frame Cabin

Shop Now

43242 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' Cottage

Shop Now

10297 Boutique Hotel

Shop Now

10332 Medieval Town Square

Shop Now

21344 Orient Express Train

Shop Now

10331 Kingfisher Bird

Shop Now

10327 Dune Atreides Royal Ornithopter

Shop Now

60430 Interstellar Spaceship

Shop Now

40678 Festival Calendar

Shop Now

21341 Sanderson Sisters' Cottage

Shop Now

Join our FREE Mailing List!

Have news and MOCs delivered straight to your inbox

What Do Yer Wanna Receive?