Kapla model: 3-masted pirate ship
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Build the Kapla pirate ship step by step
Step 1: lay the bottom of the pirate ship
Lay 9 planks flat to draw the hull, that is the body of the ship. On each side, line up 2 parallel Kapla, then 2 slightly turned ones meeting at the front. Finish with 1 piece in the middle for the tip. Leave a gap as wide as a Kapla between 2 planks.
Step 2: the second level of the hull
Lay 9 more planks on top, each one bridging a gap below. At the back, close the hull with 1 Kapla perpendicular to the others: this is the transom, the flat back of the ship.
💡 Astuce : push each level out a tiny bit: the hull flares, it gets wider as it rises.
Step 3: build up the Kapla hull
Stack 5 more levels, 45 planks, repeating the first and the second level in turn. Each Kapla bridges the gap below and each level is a little wider: the hull curves like a real ship’s.
Step 4: lay the deck
Lay a last level of 9 Kapla, then 12 planks perpendicular to the hull, from one side to the other: this is the deck, the floor of the ship. Leave 2 holes: they are the hatches, the trapdoors down to the hold.
Step 5: the ship’s rail
Run 9 planks flat around the deck: this is the rail, the edge that keeps the pirates from falling overboard.
Step 6: raise the bow of the pirate ship
The bow, that is the front of the ship, rises 4 levels: 6 planks, then 5, 4 and 3. At the very top, lay 2 Kapla end to end sticking out forward, and 1 on top, further back, holding the front one.
💡 Astuce : lay the 3 Kapla of the tip together and only let go at the end: on their own, they tip over.
Step 7: the sterncastle
At the back, called the stern, set 11 Kapla on edge, perpendicular to the hull, leaving 2 windows in the middle. Cover them with 5 planks laid flat, parallel to the hull.
Step 8: the roof of the captain’s cabin
Do it again on top: 11 Kapla on edge with their 2 windows, then 5 planks laid flat the same way for the roof. This is the captain’s cabin!
Step 9: raise the 3 masts of the ship
Stand 3 masts of 2 planks back to back: 2 on the deck and 1 on the castle. Top each with a yard, 1 plank laid flat perpendicular to the ship.
💡 Astuce : centre the yard on its mast: with one end longer than the other, it would tip the mast over.
Step 10: hoist the sails of the pirate ship
On each yard, stand 5 planks side by side for the sail, then 1 yard on top. Finish each mast with 2 standing Kapla. All hands on deck!
Frequently asked questions
It takes 179: 63 for the hull, 21 for its last level and the deck, 30 for the rail and the bow, 32 for the sterncastle and 33 for the 3 masts and their sails. A box of 200 Kapla is enough!
From 8 years old. The hull can be built alone, level by level. For the castle and the masts, better to have an adult nearby: standing planks need a steady hand.
By turning them a little: at the front, each Kapla turns a little more than the one before. And each level sticks out a few millimetres beyond the one below, which rounds the sides of the ship.
More Kapla models and building ideas!
House
A house to live in, with a doorway at ground level and two windows with small panes.
Castle
For this Kapla model: a double-walled enclosure, four crowned corner towers and a central keep topped with its roof.
Simple tower
An easy first go at the Kapla tower for the youngest builders, with a base and a roof. Harder models are available on Kaplea for older children.
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