Ol Man From the Sea

William: There is a bit of a problem with the ferry. It departs at either 8:30 (Miami) or 9:00 am (Ft Meyers), which means most folks would need to fly-in the day before the boat trip. They would also need to fly-out the day after the return boat trip. Thus, two nights in Fl when you can't camp at the fort. I don't mind, but that might be a bit pricey for some. On the other hand, The early bus gets to Key West at sunset. Thus, makin' camp at night, ugh! Not to mention, makin' Harry late for dinner, oops! How do others feel about this?

Aye

As a possible alternative to the buss or van, there is a fairy boat from Miami and Ft Meyers. Seems poetic for "Pyrates" to arrive by sea, no?

Sorry RumbaRue, I have no problem with missing. My problem is with wrong. I only looked at the book for a few minutes and found so many errors that I can't trust any thing in the book to be right. Sad really.

No real cussing is when you finisish perfectly sewing a long tricky seam and your bobbin runs out two inches from where you began it. Hate it when that happens

Just visited the book store and noticed several copies of "The Complete Idiots Guide to Pirates." I could not resist a look, but now I wish I had. Said something like; All your clothes should be cotton? Calico is a good pattern? You must wear an ear ring? WOW! They may have something right in that book, but it ain't worth the time to find it. Don't bother with this one!

Aye lass, just lay it across me sea chest over there for a bit. Na yee won't get cold, an ifn ya do, I warm ya up, I will Yee bein a lass, Right? Gots ta be careful when about Key West

I am not sure what was done back then, but I can tell you from experience, draw strings and pyratin' don't mix. Here is the drill remove baldrick and hanger remove haversack remove every thing you now regret tucking into your belt/sash remove said belt/sash remove waistecoat lower breeches/slops, but don't let them touch the floor (yuck) raise shirt tails fiddle with draw strings while holding up shirt tails and keeping breeches off the floor If you have made it this far you can now, ah um oh ya deposit that beer you rented a while ago retie drawstrings still holding up shirt tails and keeping slops off the floor lower shirt tails raise slops retrieve and replace all that was removed, hope you found a safe place for all of it between the removin' and replacin' The question is when, not if, will the drawers go MIA The point is weather period or not, put a fly in dem dare drawers. Ya I guess you could do a fly and drawstrings, but who would think too?

Callenish, will you be selling weapons at the fort? Bunderbuss mayhaps? and if yea be know'n, how long they be it'd help me ta know.

Yea, with as spartan (which I also believe is the period "weigh" to go ) as your kit is, I was hopping to error on the heavy side, and most of what is in the haversack varies alot depending on just what it is. For example I have one mug that weighs 1/2Lbs while another weighs 1Lbs and if I'm not worried about being Goap I can get it down to under an ounce. Which is all just to say it is a good idea to keep travel in mind when choosen you kit. The other items I am really guessing on are the blankets and the plate. BTW why 2 blankets?? Also if you can give me a while longer I may have some ideas on that "hard case" for ya.

Ok patrick here is my SWAG at what your kit weighs (Scientific Wise A**ed Guess) seabag 1 1/2 Lbs sail/tarp, 6 metal tent steaks,rope 10 lbs 2 wool blankets 7lbs linseed-oiled groundcloth 2 1/2 lbs a clean shirt, slops 2Lbs ...sock... an extra pair of socks, etc. 1/2Lbs pewter plate 1/2Lbs a small bag... 1 1/2Lbs 26Lbs Weapons bag 1Lbs cutlass, belt knife, belt 4Lbs That puts your checked at 31Lbs Haversack 1Lbs Tankard 1Lbs candle lantern in tankard 1/2Lbs Pyrate Journal 1 1/2lbs Small blank book 1Lbs a small bottle of ink, my pen, digital camera. 1Lbs Carry on 6Lbs Total 37 Lbs or about 1/4 of what the airlines will allow!

(best Don Adams voice) "I told you we didn't want to know about that"

I notice a few things missing from your kit that some may think "essential." A Knife and Fork A Bowl some kind of pot or pan, A corn boiler perhaps? A pad or matress to sleep on A pillow A water jug A camp axe or hatchet/hammer sunblock Oh and did you have to tell us about the "leather thong" we really don't want to know what that is all about?

WHAT? Ya mean that you don't bring a period folding camp cot? or a period folding table and chairs? Or a camp kitchen with service for 12? or a dinning fly? or a cast iron brazier? or a full set of cast iron pots and pans, or or even a FORK? Not a very RON-D-View camp is it? Seriously Thanks! Don't worry about not having a scale. Given a bit of time I think I can fake in the weights for you. As we are trying to give others an idea of what thier kit will weigh, close is good enough.

Sorry captain but even with all those chages that chest still will not be period. I looked at their plans for one this weekend. The joinery is way off. To make anything close to a period chest you would need to remachine all or at least most of the wood. It would be as much or more work than starting from scratch. It would have been nice if it could be saved with a few small changes, but alas no.

Captain Jim Thank you for posting that beautiful captains chest. I learned a lot from that photo as it shows just about everything I was expecting not to see in a period seamans chest. No beckets Fine wood Dovetails Over lapping lid all around Finaly, I realized that it is a Captains chest, which is to say not a seamans chest. I had read that Captains would have several chest in their cabin each with its purpose, but when I looked at chest I had not thought to be aware of the distinction. As I am not a captain, at least not yet, I want info on seamans chest. Although, I can see how a lowly pirate might get his hands on a captains chest. I bet no pirate ever left a captain's liquor chest behind. Who says treasure chest are hollywood. Just have to think about what pirates really treasured. :)

Sounds to me like you packed just enough to find a gentleman to help you, but not so much as to scare him off, perfect. Actually, if you could give us two list, one of what you plan to bring this time, and one of what you won't bring ever again, it will be a big help. Of course we will understand if you chose not to help but instead find yourself a hidding spot about half between the fort and the gate from which to laugh at the newbies trying to haul in everything the airlines will allow. I'm picturing the fort entrance road looking like that trail up in Alaska where the prospectors abandoned all their stuff. But, I'm fearing people reading about over 130 lbs of baggage just staying home.

Thanks Patrick, I know it will take you some time, took me long enough and I don't have the camping gear, but real info from the people who have done it, is alot of help to those thinking of doing it. Hope my data is helpful in your estimates.

I almost hate to ask, but I think it would be useful for the folks who have not camped at pip to know all of what you packed, including size and weight. Same Question to Silkie and anyone else who flew and camped? Even though I have not camped I'll start Linen shirt rolls up about like a sweater 13oz Wool Waistcoat "silk" lined rolls up about like a tee shirt 9oz canvas breeches rolls up about like a tee shirt 19oz 3 pair cotton knee socks rolls up about like a tee shirt 6oz 4 silk bandannas and sash rolls up about like a tee shirt 8oz cutlass and baldrick 33" long 56 oz dagger and sheath 16" long 19 oz possibles bag 12 oz shoes 22oz fake pistol 15" long 18oz sun block 2oz other personal items 16oz (toiletries etc.) extra civies 4 days 40oz TOTAL 1 large duffel not full 15lbs or so but I pack kinda light and wasn't camping. I know I need at least one more shirt and one more pair of socks, but what else, what will it weigh and how big will it be?? Note This is meant for folks who are flying in. Those coming by mule train have no cares about such things!

All of the chest pictured here appear to have flat bottoms. Did gaop sea chest not have the runners found on landsman's chest? I recall one source saying that that often when a seaman retired he would have feet added to his chest for land use, but the source did not seem to be a reliable one. Any one have any thing to add? Patrick Dovetails??? where??? it looks leather covered to me. Also anyone know of any gaop period sea chest on display in the US?

Go to where you get the train ones and ask them about "aluminite" casting kits. or try here Modify a pack of the expensive figures and use them as masters to cast as many as you need.

I would think that a sea chest would be about the most durable luggage you could hope for. Still, given the chance, the airlines could break a cannon barrel. Most airlines allow 2 checked bags of max 62in l+w+h, 50lbs each plus your carry ons. (spirit now only allows one so check your airline) So as long as your not bringing said cannon barrel you should be OK. Examples of the 62in max would be 20x20x22 or 16x16x30 or about 3 times the size of a large carry on. For some reason, I am havin' a hard time picturin' you carrin' all that from the bus to the fort. If your oversized they nail you $100, $50 for overweight. For a bit more safety make it a bit smaller and put it in a box with some peanuts and/or bubble wrap. Or, just ship it to Harry, saves you that long carry. Now that We can get it there how do we build or buy one?

So much for my dreams of bein' in a "Press Gang" rounding up "Recruits" in bad garb for a forced refit at Kass's

A thought: Knots came it just before Baldricks went out. I believe Baldricks went out as swords became smaller and lighter. Could the Knot have been more usefull for a light blade than a heavy one? Capt. Sterling, were your problems with the baldrick while riding with a light sword, a heavy sword or both?

What!!! RFIII conflicting with PIP?? Being one of the few who has been to both PIP and RFII, I would much rather go the over 3,100 miles for PIP, then the 30 minutes for the Chicago RF. Even though a few pyrates are trying hard, RF is not really much of a pyrate event. RF is not even a very good 18th century event, both Oshkosh and Kalamazoo are bigger and better for (close to) our time period. I disagree with Patrick, while RFIII may have more people, everyone at PIP will be looking for what Kass has. She might sell much more at PIP. Had she been at PIP the times I was there, I would have bought from her. If she is at a future PIP and I am there, I will buy from her. Every time I have been to PIP I have listened to venders grone about poor sales, but almost all of what little if any pirate merchandise they had was hollywood at best. Most of the stuff was better for a Ren Faire. A little like trying to sell baseballs at a football game. So far on this thread not one person has change their mind about PIP because of the RF debacle. I can only hope this holds true for the sutlers as well.