Big hopes and silly dreams...

[Asron87]

So I'm trying to make my van look like a pirate ship. The first step is the back windows. I want them to resemble the windows of navel ships with cannons. I started on one window but I'm not sure on how I'll finish it. Mostly, what wood should I use for the door (window flap or whatever you call it), what kind of hinges should I use, and what should I use to latch it? The more historically accurate the better but I'm willing to try different things until I find something that works the best.

Outside view:


Inside view:


My grandma bought me this van when I was in high school and I use it for camping at a nearby lake. This is easily the dumbest thing I've ever wanted to do but I think it will be lots of fun and a great way to practice woodworking. I don't know anything about woodworking and I don't know anyone who does. For this being my first time using a table saw other than a couple times in high school, I must say, it's a really good feeling when it all lines up.

[subdjoe]

Interesting page on shipboard drill

[GGaskill]

I think your "gunport" is much too large unless you have a huge gun.  But otherwise, sounds like fun.

[Asron87]

The van only has little windows that open so I figured why not cut the whole thing out and see where it goes from there.

[GGaskill]

You can always frame the hole smaller.

[RocklockI]

Imho I think you will need a gangplank for the side door , also for lounging on top you must have a railing of 'take down' construction while transporting . so you can poise pirate style at the railing . maybe a 'plank' for walking extended off one side .
 
A couple big lanterns haning off her stern and one for the inside too . and a water line stripe that gives a sweep to her .
 
The ports look good to me .
 
Of course you'll need a flag ....   I'd make it a frendly looking pirate flag as a some 70's 'chevy van ' with a bad looking flag campin out at the lake might scare some mothers    proly remind her of the 'chevy van 70's' ,yea that would do it !!!!
 
you could put a lapstrake type wood hull shape add some painted 'blue seas' painted under the hull , expanding foar for a three d effect ?.......maybe hint of a rudder off the stern . a pirate style ladder for getting up and down .
You don't have a elvis on velvet in there do you ?   dogs playing poker
 
Big canopy off one side of the van with pirate colors of your choice ,black with a huge skull and bones .....comes to mind . Oh yea and tiki torches ....
Illusion thats all . with a good ol' Aaaaghaa ever now and agian ,
Good luck with it
 
Gary

[Double D]

So I'm trying to make my van look like a pirate ship. The first step is the back windows. I want them to resemble the windows of navel ships with cannons.
 

Back windows or side windows?
http://www.fortogden.com/surprise_pics.html

[Asron87]

RocklockI you nailed it. That's pretty much everything I'd like to do. I might frame one of the windows smaller like GGaskill had mentioned but I'll be using it as a camper so I'll need some big windows to keep cool. I know I wont be perfectly accurate with shape and size but I'd like to have the look of it.

DD, so far I plan on removing the two side windows on the left side and the one side window on the right side of the van. I'll probably leave the two rear windows alone for now.

Is there any websites I can go to with some more inspirational pics?

[Zulu]

Asron87,
Here are some ideas.    You're going to need some more tools.  
Zulu
 

 

 

[DaveSB]

that's awesome!!