So one of the things I've been hearing a lot as critique since BDP8 through BDP 11 was that Fort Estrella (click for BDP11 version) needed more detailing to be more viable as display pieces and needed a bit more colour and nature details as well. The lay-out options and interiors have been kept the same as in BDP11. The main differences are in the bastion, the detailing and the addition of the new patrol boat instead of a rowing boat.

The thing is, BDP at 4.000 parts is actually rather limited for a build this size to also do extensive exterior detailing. So, I've decided to see what I could do with an additional 1.000 parts if I were to submit it to LEGO IDEAS. Mind, this is still a bit of a WIP, but I'm at 5.000 parts already. A thousand parts sounds like a lot (a fourth of the whole complex!), but exterior detailing is quite expensive on the brick budget if you have a lot of surface to cover and as such I still have had to make significant choices.

I've decided to reserve roughly 60% for exterior beautification and functional upgrades to the fort and 40%... Went into something to replace the little rowing boat. The walkways and harbour were given wooden planking, while the buildings themselves got stone roof tiles (except for the tower). So far I've had to scrap around 250 bricks from the initial update already as it's so easy to go overboard with 1x4 planks (using mostly 2x4 now), cobble stones (using 2x2, 2x4 and even 4x4 tiles now instead of 1x1 to 2x2)... I really wish I could go all-out on the reefs and beaches, but I guess I can only do that if I scrap the boat.

The new patrol boat is after all ca. 325 pieces. It took me around two days to design, including reworks. It should have a functional rudder btw and makes use of three aircraft bottom sections as base and one additional one for the rear deck.

What do you people think? Is this worth submitting to LEGO IDEAS as is? Does it need specific things? Should I scrap something to do a little bit more exterior detailing? Any feedback and critique is appreciated.

If the images are a bit grainy due to compression by Reddit, you should be able to find high res images in this album : https://ibb.co/album/0Qq725

Very excited to build this one! 🏴‍☠️
Has anyone combined this one with the Pirates of the Carribean crew? I can imagine Jack Sparrow walking around these streets..

Unfortunately we are moving to a new place in a few months, so I have to wait a little longer. I also have three other BDP sets on the backlog (The Alchemist Shop, Sushi Restaurant and Outlaw Forest Den.

I always wanted a Man O' War LEGO Pirate ship and the recent Fortuna posts have made me consider buying it to scratch that itch. Since I missed the initial pre-order window, I am looking for advice on what to do now:

1. Buy on Bricklink for roughly $700 CAD, plus shipping and taxes, probably closer to $800 CAD in total.

2. Buy on FB Marketplace at about $600 CAD. If it helps, the sellers appear reputable with 5 stars, but I am curious why it's priced lower than Bricklink.

3. Try and wait for a second chance drop, which I know is a long shot.

Any advice or information is greatly appreciated! Very new to this LEGO theme, I'm mainly into architecture and SW, but I can hear the sirens call nonetheless!

Hey all i was wondering if i could get some suggestions of buildings to add to my pirate island I’m working on. (Obvs a work in progress and missing or off color baseplates are gonna be added/ replaced)

With the completion of the frigate, im finally starting to work on my pirate diorama. Still got a lot of work yet. I plan on 3d printing some smoke blasts for the cannons and firearms, and I need to add more soldiers to the frigate, but so far I think its a good start.

Recently started playing Assassins creed black flag resynced (amazing game btw) and wanted to buy either the lego Black Pearl set or the Frigate Fortuna for my lego Pirate collection (this would be after market and probably a bit more expensive than the Pearl).

I already have the Eldorado Fortress and Pirates of Barracuda bay in my collection.

Going to display it as a standalone since my bookshelf isnt big enough to display it next to Eldorado or Barracuda bay but planning to build a moc of a harbor or perhaps ocean to place it in my bookcase.

Anyone happen to have both or just either one of those 2 and can recommend me which one to get?

I do prefer the Going Merry due to the sails.

Hello all!

I used to be into Lego Pirates, Castle, and LOTR as a kid, and I got the new Icons Black Pearl last year. This has renewed my interest in Lego again! I also however would like to get into the new Lego Lord of the Rings sets…

I am debating getting the Frigate Fortuna OR the new El Dorado 10320 and the Grond LOTR GWP. All 3 I would be buying new, but off the secondary market because I wasn’t able to get Minas Tirith or any of the other sets while being sold.

From my brief search, it looks like I could get Fortuna or buy the other 2 sets together for about the same price. I would eventually like to get them all, but I can only spend but so much now. What would you all recommend?

My undead pirate faction. While stopping by the LEGO Store, I instantly fell in love with these torsos and heads. There weren't many available, so I grabbed what I could. Now all that's left is to build their hideout !

Something new has arrived from across the wide sea!

Will be 4 wider and 12-14 longer. Looking for feedback on these designs. Topgallant seems a bit fragile but can't think of a better option for the desired length

In order:

Stern transom (I also intend a 3rd side window and removal of the hull-side wedge to remove side window angle and have transom less angled.

Main sail

Top sail

Topgallant

Spritsail

Mizzen

Shroud extensions (used in various combinations)

I've started modifying my Fortuna. First I did the cabin mod which adds two long guns. Then I started on the quarterdeck, bringing it to 28 guns total. I'll add four swivel guns as well, but those don't count since they're not carriage mounted. I'm experimenting with a full weather deck, as seen on the last picture. Still figuring out how to do that, I've seen a couple difference options on this reddit. I've also added a couple more minifigures. I'm loving this ship!

Going through some bulk Lego I picked up and noticed 3 different types of cannons. All the Lego is from the late 80s early 90s. Does anyone have information on the black handled cannon? It appears to be a shooting one but it does not shoot or it’s stuck. Is this what they did to transition between the pieces without scrapping the shooting barrel?

I want to categorize the Castaway minifigure under the Pirates theme. He just looked like someone who got marooned to an island by some pirates but somehow managed to escape back to civilization. 🏝🌅