Eli Whitney Museum

We are accustomed to teaching with a model in front of a child, but these instructions should make it so that anyone can build one without our presence. We urge that parents and teachers be there to guide – but to allow the child to try to let the materials (and a picture of the final product) guide them. A wrong direction is always un-doable until you've glued something.

The Parts. and Waterproof Glue (Titebond III is what we use) for a few parts.

Step 1. Put the three masts into the holes in the deck. If they are not a tight fit, use some wood glue although the wood will swell when it's wet. The tallest one is in the middle.

Step 2. Glue the shortest dowel into the bow for the bowsprit.

Step 3. Carefully put two sails on each mast (as shown). The longest ones go on the middle mast. Nail the cannons on the side somewhere.

Step 4. Rig with the string (this is optional) as shown (or any other way you want.) Dress the Pirate. This is not optional. It's cold on the high seas!