Pirates have been a core theme for LEGO® play since their debut in 1989. Like the other classic playthemes such as Space and Castle, Pirate themed sets have been dominated by licensed properties such as Pirates of the Caribbean and Once Piece in recent years . Despite this increased commercialization on the store shelf, classic themes remain core zones in the LEGOLAND THEME PARKS- and core memories for many people of a certain age.

This is where Creator 3in1 steps in, bringing multi-build models that serve to fill the gaps that are no longer truly represented by in-house themes, not only covering the hero build of the theme, but often include alternate builds that also fit ‘in world.’

Creator 31387 Iconic Pirate Ship fits into the Creator lineup just where the 2020s 31109 Pirate ship sat, until it retired at the end of last year. The new version has fewer pieces, but boasts an additional minifigure (bringing a total of 5). It also seems to involve fewer red elements in its makeup. It retails for $AUD149.99 £89.99 $USD109.99 €99.99, a decidedly more palatable price bracket than the previous model (AUD189.99/ £114.99/ USD119.99). The set includes a pair of skiffs and a hideout as its alternative builds. Has this been a marvellous exercise in cost reduction or have they left something out? Is it as iconic as its title claims?

Unfortunately, I have not had the opportunity to build the alternative models …yet. The set arrived shortly before I headed overseas for work, family and LEGO Fan events… The Alternate builds will come soon, but there are some other projects looming in the meantime.

The Elements

The model has plenty of of reddish brown elements: particularly arches of different shapes. There are  plenty of red and green elements, which will help us to orient ourselves as we proceed through the build. I was also surprised by the number of pearl gold elements included here. We have the iconic anchor, as well as a couple of spring loaded cannons. But what of the other elements that were distinctly ‘Pirates’? We will look at that later.

Let’s look at the minifigures:

We have the Pirate Captain in his red coat and ruffles, to say nothing of the traditional peg leg.  In deference to over 35 years of tradition, the male captain does not have a brown beard, black beard, red beard or brick beard, but is rather a moustachioed captain sporting a 5 o’clock shadow. He has the traditional ‘admiral’s hat’ sporting a new minifigure skull and crossed swords print. 

His first mate has a dual sided female face print. She sports a dark red buckled waistcoat over a white shirt. She wears a compass around her neck. Her navy blue pants sports a teal wrap around her waist.

There are two more crew members: one with a dual sided female face, a dark green singlet featuring as skull belt buckle and a red and white striped neckerchief – this neck wrap feels like a great tribute to the original sails of the Black Sea barracuda in 1989.

They are backed up by a bearded male with dynamic eyebrows, a white singlet with blue stripes and  tattoos of a compass rose and anchor. Are these tattoos ensuring he is steady in place, and always well guided? He is wearing dark orange shorts.

Finally, there is a skeleton. The original skeleton debuted in1995 across the original pirates range, castle and more. Back in those days, they had loose, floppy arms.  This is the newer model with a fixed bend at the elbow, and the two clips at 90º to each other, allowing a variety of poses for the skeleton’s arms.

The combination of elements available for the minifigures gives us around 4x4x4x4+4=260 combinations of legs, torsos heads and hats. Some will look more sensible than others. Here are eight alternative figures for your inspiration and amusement…

We have a collection of grey sabres, and titanium metallic pistols for our sailors to arm them selves with. Other accessories include a glass and bottle, a telescope and a map (the only printed non-minifigure component in the set.)

Construction

Although it first appeared in the LEGO Divers sets in the mid 90s, the Octopus became a persistent threat in the second (2009) and third (2015) waves of LEGO Pirates. Since the previous Creator Pirate ship included a brick-built shark, and the octopus has been out off production since 2018, a brick built version feels appropriate. The main build in this set commences with a brick built cephalopod. With red elephant trunks connected around a violet circular frame element, the curves give the giant squid a dynamic appearance. I appreciate the way that the eyes are formed using transparent bright green domes, surrounded by red life preservers.

We move onto the ship,  starting with a central module, 10 studs square, with plenty of studs arranged around the outside edges. Tucked away as we build are a few red (left/port) and green (right/staqrboard) which remind us which way we are facing. There are some golden flaps on each side, providing a little disguise for the cannons.

The bow/forehead section on the set exploits the slightly lower arches that appeared this earlier this year. The section is full brick built, rather than using purpose designed ‘boat pieces’ which helped the original pirate ships come together.

The rear of the ship gently tapers inwards, and downwards: the silhouette adopts the shape of arched ‘tree branches’ at the back.

The three segments come effortlessly together to bring the shape of the hull together.

A small tray slides in the rear lower compartment, concealing a treasure chest, while also serving as a point to mount for the ship’s rudder.

We fill in the sides of the hull, and then build up the poop deck: the captains cabin includes a desk and chair.  The walls of the cabin swing forwards, allowing smaller hands than mine access the internals. 

We build up some detail along the prow and midships, including setting up some vertical axles where the masts will be built up. We add in an anchor, attached to a winch on the foredeck.

Finally, we finish building up the masts and sails: the masts are built up using axles and technic connectors, and then built up the sails using multiple plates. – the upper sails on the main masts are square rigged, and the front sail features its own little mosaic of a skull and crossbones – LEGO DOTS is dead. Long live LEGO DOTS! 

The final model is a delightful brigantine rigged ship. I appreciate the way the hull’s shape is achieved through the sheer force of bricks.  The curves in the hull, and the gradual tapering towards the aft – along with the details in the captain’s cabin. The colour scheme of reddish brown, black and gold feels like a step up from the previous ships with additional red trim.

The ship is a fresh re-imagining of the 2020 creator 3in1 31109 Pirate Ship. This new version is more detailed, and seems to be a similar size to that version. There are some updated concepts in the build: the captain’s cabin/poop-deck is not as detailed as the previous model, but the new tapering effect is a nice touch.

But Is this Pirate Ship Iconic?

There are a number of features that you might consider make a LEGO Pirate ship iconic: lets consider some of these aspects with regards to Pirate ships gone by. This is not a comprehensive comparison: in my collection, I have the 2015 Brick Bounty, and 2010’s Imperial flagship built up. But there is also plenty of documentation concerning the Black Sea’s Barracuda available.

What makes an Iconic Pirate Ship?

There are many facets of the Classic LEGO Pirates range that you might consider to be Iconic: the Ship itself, the elements involved and the included minifigures: let’s consider these a little more closely.

Most of the Classic Pirates ships such as Black Sea’s Barracuda and the more recent Brick Bounty were Brigantine rigged: Twin masts with square rigged sails, with smaller fore and aft sails. The ship was armed with a few cannons, aimed out either side; an anchor at the front, poop deck at the rear, captain’s cabin. There should be rigging supporting the mast, and ideally a plank to make unruly troublemakers walk. Typically we have a pirate captain, a first mate and some crewmen. Perhaps a couple of soldiers or an admiral for Drama. And some creatures: parrots are truly iconic – and a brick built version was included back in 2020, but also sharks and octopus (octopi?).

This set has most of these – but in altered forms: we will look at these shortly. There was a brick built shark in 2020, and this time, we have a brick built octopus.

Do we have Iconic Minifigures?

Let’s take a quick comparison if this lineup with that seen in the Black Sea’s Barracuda, the most Iconic of All LEGO Pirate ships… That set came with 8 minifigures, but many were variations on others that were included. So, here are my top four: they certainly have their parallels here. I’ll add one mark for Iconic parallels, but subtract one for only offering five compared to the eight of the original Black Sea’s Barracuda. However, it will become apparent shortly that this is ok…

What elements defined the Iconic Pirate Ships?

At first glance, this model bears a remarkable resemblance to the Black Sea’s Barracuda – with the exception of the printed, fabric sails and an inordinate amount of string. (I appreciate the mosaic built onto the front sail, as well as the potential to reshape brick built sails for other vessels)

In fact, this set appears to have almost done without the LEGO Elements that were iconic within the pirates theme:

• The masts are there, with the crow’s nest, but they are brick built, with technic axles and connectors rather than dedicated mast elements.
• Traditionally, we have had fabric sails, rigged with a seemingly endless piece of string. The plate-built sails are free of the string, and its associated knots and tangles.

• The early pirate ships had a wedge shaped webbing for the crew to climb. In more recent pirate ships, (2007-2015) the  netting element is rectangular. In the 2020 version of the Creator pirate ships, the plain zip line element – the new set uses a medium nougat 21module long flexi tube, featuring 3.2mm bars along its length.

• The steering wheel is a 4 way technic/bar connector/windlass rather than the iconic steering wheel

• We have a brickbuilt octopus rather than specific element, but this is a creator 3in1 set, so it is to be expected
• The iconic, pre-moulded hull elements are not included -this gives us a much narrower ship than the original pirates range – 12 studs from gunwhale to gunwhale, compared to a clear 16 studs between ( and room for fewer cannons, minifigures and planks).
• There are no government/imperial troops to add drama or conflict. The only viable option here is mutiny!
• No additional rowboat.
• At least the iconic anchor has been retained.

Some of these are definite design choices. However, the lack of specific pirate elements is consistent with the standard philosophy of Creator 3in1 sets: don’t use ‘specific-purpose’ elements, when multiple, more generic elements can be used – and we see this repeatedly in this set – with brick-built alternatives to previous moulds and iconic elements.

How does it compare with previous ships?

I’ll have to admit that if you asked me what to expect, I would have said that this set was about the same size as the BrickBounty/Black Seas Barracuda style of ships. The designers have included virtually all of the defining features of an iconic pirate ship, albeit without the iconic elements.

When I put the set down next to the BrickBounty, I was quite surprised. When I added in the Imperial Flagship, I was stunned by the differences in size. The Iconic Pirate ship measures 13 studs abeam and 43 studs long. The Brick Bounty is closer to 18 studs at its widest, and 58 studs long. It is looking at the stern that demonstrates where a lot of the space is saved in this vessel: The poop deck and captain’s cabin taper from 10 studs to only six studs wide at the rear. There is minimal tapering on the older vessel.

Both of these craft are dwarfed by the 10210 Imperial Flagship – both in length and height, although it is about the same breadth as the Brick Bounty.  The older ships incorporate a lot more play space: there is more room for minifigures, a plank for the ill-disciplined to walk along. To say nothing of Cannons facing in all directions.

However, in this era of ever-diminishing shelf space – whether it is because you picked up one too many ICONS sets, or you just live in a smaller apartment, this set distills the key elements of a LEGO Pirate Ship and brings it to the tabletop with elegant detail.

Like the IDEAS Pirates of Barracuda Bay from 2021, the set has alternative forms: in this case a pirate’s lair and skiffs. I’ll put these together soon.

In conclusion

So far, I have enjoyed this set, and the details included in this hero model, even if it doesn’t bring us those classic elements. The core model captures the key elements of the Classic Pirate ships, albeit without the same sense of scale as the older versions. Is this, in fact, a LEGO Model of an Iconic LEGO Pirate ship? Is this an unnecessarily meta analysis of the set?

If you have the previous Creator Pirate ship, you probably don’t need this ship, unless the alternative builds tempt you. (That said, you may well be able to make them from the elements included in that set.)

Hmmm… can the parts included here include the alternative models from 2020? That’s something to pursue in our next episode…

Other than the lack of the specific LEGO elements that made LEGO Pirate ships so iconic, the main criticism I have of this model is that it is significantly smaller than previous ‘Pirates Theme’ pirate ships, and is a little harder for my pudgy hands to play with. If I was 9, it would probably be fine. On the plus side, it does not use up as much display space, and my ocean can be significantly smaller.

So far the set is looking good for a 4 out of five arbitrary praise units – although this might rise or fall based on the alternative.

What do you think of this ‘Iconic Pirate Ship?’ Does it meet the brief for what you are looking for in a Classic Pirate Ship in 2026? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below.

The 31387Iconic Pirate Ship has 1074 pieces, 5 minifigures and a RRP of $AUD149.99 £89.99 $USD109.99 €99.99. It is available now, through LEGO.com and general retailers. This set was provided by the LEGO Group for review purposes – all opinions are my own.

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Until Next Time,

Play Well!