LEGO Pirates be riding the waves of success with the BrickLink Designer Program!
Series 8 submission “Coconut Cape” by BallisticBricks has been announced for Crowdfunding during mid 2026.
Could this be a prime opportunity for the Imperial Armada to return? Time will tell.
So now, let’s cast our eyes upon this magnificent fortress in all its glory…
BallisticBricks writes:
From the Coconut Cape webpage on BrickLink.com:
Coconut cape is back for series 8! I’ve made several structural improvements which make the model much more stable and reduces the part count close to 100 pieces from its series 5 predecessor while maintaining the original look of the fort. Furthermore I’ve built the model physically to test the design in the real world which can be seen in the fifth image.
No need to wait for the fifth image, we have it right here:
Rising from the glassy waters
Backstory
Here be a little universe building from BallisticBricks…
Land Ho! With its strong walls and strategic defenses, Coconut Cape serves as a guardian of the ocean, deterring pirates and ensuring the safety of the surrounding trade routes. It stands as a beacon for ships and a refuge for the weary. Remember to always keep an eye out for hidden treasure! Buried deep within the walls, a secret compartment reveals precious gold and gems for the plundering!
Specifications
Parts: 2,425 | Minifigures: 8
It has a modular layout and here be the modules
Dimensions
Length: 34.4 cm / 13.6 in
Width: 47.1 cm / 18.6 in
Height: 36.6 cm / 14.4 in
Key Features
Like any good BrickLink Designer Program finalist, Coconut Cape be loaded with features to keep yer enthralled for hours!
Dock
This modest landing be how coconuts cargo and munitions are delivered to the cape.
Where ships can safely anchor and unload their cargo
Commodore’s residence
In order to remain vigilant, the commanding officer must enjoy all creature comforts military life has to offer.
-
- Commodore’s residence
-
- Secret treasure room
- Commodore’s residence
With weapons and equipment… and a nice grandfather clock - Hidden treasure room!
Well, you don’t want to make it easy for pirates to make off with the booty!
Armoury & Prison Cell
Aye, it has a dungeon!
Conveniently located next to the prison cell, so absconders may arm themselves to ensure a more successful escape.
The rat is the quartermaster in charge of dispensing weapons
- Well-stocked armory
With all the essential weapons and equipment to maintain and defend the fortress. - Prison cell
To lock away any presky pirates that may attempt to breach the defenses in search of the secret treasure chamber.
Kitchen
To provide food and provisions to all the soldiers.
The galley – where culinary delights are made
Doll-House style open back
Featuring a full interior with convenient access to all the rooms. The minifigures and their accessories are well within your grasp!
Fully accessible interior from the rear
Plaza de Armas/Battlements
Defend against marauding invaders with two loaded cannons – they may be slender, but they aim with precision!
The courtyard where they go ballistic with cannons
The build features two garitas, these be the two sentry boxes overhanging the walls.
Once a common feature of fortresses or coastal defenses, especially in Spanish colonial architecture.
The Imperial Armada?
In a previous post we postulated the minifigures of Coconut Cape were inspired by the Imperial Armada.
And in the time since, @Classic Pirates asked @BallisticBricks for clarification via Instagram:
How interesting – but don’t set yer hopes too high!
BallisticBricks replied:
@Classic Pirates thank you! Yes they were roughly inspired by them, although the Bricklink palette for this series was quite limited and this was the best I could come up with. They are subject to change slightly for the final version though so keep an eye out!
Morions
“Morion” be the name of the helmet worn by Imperial Armada minifigures.
Could this sub theme be resurrected without their trademark headwear? It’s a defining part of the minifigures’ identity.
Minifig comparison between Coconut Cape imperials and the classic Imperial Armada
Retrieving the morion piece from the LEGO part archive is perhaps wishful thinking.
After all, each BrickLink Designer series has a predefined palette, so in the interest of efficiency, the intent is to adhere to that collection of parts.
The entire Imperial Armada subtheme – just two sets…
But in the interest of authenticity, imagine if a retired part could be resurrected upon rare occasions.
T’would go leagues towards ensuring the exclusivity of BrickLink Designer sets, and honoring the legacy of classic LEGO themes, rather than churning out fan designs as economically as possible.
Now What?
After Coconut Cape survived the BrickLink Designer Program review, BallisticBricks was no doubt bound to an oath of secrecy and can divulge no further.
Let’s hope for some Armada magic during the Refinement phase
BallisticBricks shall collaborate with Model Governance Team to revise the build for public consumption.
The tides o’ time shall eventually reveal how the design and minifigures evolve…
3D Overview
Pictures be one thing, video be another.
To whet the insatiable appetites of hungry fans, this gorgeously rendered animation will give yer a nice tour around the fortress.
And if the blinkin’ embedded video ain’t workin’, watch it upon YouTube.
BrickLink Designer Program
Along with the other Series 8 finalists, t’was announced Coconut Cape will commence Crowdfunding (pre-orders) on 1 June, 2026 at 8 AM Pacific time.
2026 is shaping up to be a bountiful year for LEGO Pirate fans, with Crowdfunding for Privater Frigate Fortuna scheduled for January.
About the Builder…
BallisticBricks be a renowned AFOL content creator with a YouTube channel and Flickr stream packed full of World War I and II LEGO animations, Coconut Cape being the first foray into the world of LEGO Pirates.
-
- “Goat Sanctuary”
-
- “Island Acropolis”
Beyond that BallisticBricks is active on Instagram givin’ yer a peak at recent builds, away from the trenches, and spanning the broader sea of time.
Economics
Coconut Cape be a tad smaller than Thieves of Tortuga and Privateer Frigate Fortuna, both blocking in at around up 4,000 parts.
But even a set containing around 2,500 parts is still beyond the grasp of some fans; be their coffers too low, or their cabins too cramped to stash a bounty of larger brick-built marvels.
Scalawag Sloop: a small ship can be a good ship!
So maybe the BrickLink Designer Team could take this onboard in future series and Crowdfund a smaller pirate design in the interest of accessibility.
Popcorn Wagon, another Series 5 finalist contains 594 parts, comparable to that of Scalawag Sloop.
What Do Yer Think?
What thinks you of Coconut Cape, the first BrickLink Designer Program imperial fortress?
Or be there a finer Series 8 submission ye’d rather welcome into your collection?
How much different will the final version be from this?
Could this be an opportunity for the Imperial Armada to make their triumphant return? Or should another new imperial faction be introduced?
And be there tweaks you’d make to the build?
Tell us yer thoughts and ideas for Coconut Cape in the LEGO Pirates Forum and Classic Pirates Facebook Group!
