DIY Pirate Self Defence!

[Tim Good]

Ok so the discussion about holding fire arms on board is an old one and there are many threads on here about it.

However, after my friend made a potato gun the other day with nothing more than a gutter, hairspray and a potato, I was amazed at the power! Of course you can't be taken seriously fire a vegetable at someone with a machine gun. Then I thought, hmmm, this might actually be be worth considering as a deterrent if a golf ball could be used and potentially even more if you can practice your aim!

I then YouTube'd Golf ball cannon and it looks like plenty of rednecks make them in the States. Dismantled they'd be nothing more than some pipe and spare boating bits.

P.s the action is at the end!

 

[prv]

A potato gun is a fun toy - some student friends of mine had to pay for a new back door after firing a whole potato right through the old one - but it really really isn't a sensible means of defence against pirates.

Pete

 

[dom]

However, after my friend made a potato gun the other day with nothing more than a gutter, hairspray and a potato, I was amazed at the power!

The Russian Navy reputedly fired a potato gun at 53s in this vid. Seems quite effective to me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1toRYJC3_Es

 

[Biggles Wader]

If you google MV Boularibank you can see how fighting off pirates is really done.

 

[snooks]

OK, think this one through...you're in your cabin, pirate comes through the companionway, and you fire, but miss...you now have something hard small and bouncy travelling very fast in a small contained area. Assuming it doesn't go through a surface it could be comin' right back atcha!

 

[pmagowan]

I have always thought a canon was an essential bit of boaty equipment and it annoys me that a few bad eggs have ruined it for the rest of us and so it is frowned upon. When the pirates are reving along in their skiff you simply drop fire a canon ball at them in a massive blast of smoke. Of course, the risk to them is quite small until you load the grapeshot but the shot across the bows would give them something to think about and perhaps temp them to try a softer target, after all who fires a bloody canon!!

 

[zzyyxx]

A potato gun is a fun toy - some student friends of mine had to pay for a new back door after firing a whole potato right through the old one - but it really really isn't a sensible means of defence against pirates.

A hundred gun broadside might make them reconsider though...

 

[Slow_boat]

................... after all who fires a bloody canon!!

I do!

Much to the annoyance of other East Coasters at the annual pirate weekend at Walton Backwaters.

It's a bit of truck exhaust pipe, 3/4 stuffed with wood held with screws and powered by bird scarers (mega-bangers) The original plastic drainpipe one blew up, throwing plastic shrapnel all over the place and setting fire to swmbo's favorite dwarf ascia tree.

It makes hell of a bang and if I were to put some wadding in, followed by some shot.................

Now if only I could make it a breach loader..............

 

[Downsman]

OK, think this one through...you're in your cabin, pirate comes through the companionway, and you fire, but miss...you now have something hard small and bouncy travelling very fast in a small contained area. Assuming it doesn't go through a surface it could be comin' right back atcha!

it could be comin' right back atcha

If it's a spud ..you've had your chips...

 

[prv]

It makes hell of a bang and if I were to put some wadding in, followed by some shot.................

I made something similar when I was about 12. It used ground-up model rocket engines for powder, toilet paper for wadding, and fired a bullet consisting of a bolt with nuts screwed onto the whole length of it. More of a musket than a cannon, I suppose, but it could certainly knock a hole in quite a thick plank.

I wasn't daft enough to try firing the thing from the shoulder - it was set off electrically from the shelter of the garden shed

Pete

 

[bikedaft]

I do!

Much to the annoyance of other East Coasters at the annual pirate weekend at Walton Backwaters.

It's a bit of truck exhaust pipe, 3/4 stuffed with wood held with screws and powered by bird scarers (mega-bangers) The original plastic drainpipe one blew up, throwing plastic shrapnel all over the place and setting fire to swmbo's favorite dwarf ascia tree.

It makes hell of a bang and if I were to put some wadding in, followed by some shot.................

Now if only I could make it a breach loader..............

A cannon setting fire to swmbo's favourite dwarf?

This sounds like a good party...

 

[Barnacle Bill]

Quote from Wikipedia:

"Various photographs of pirates in situ indicate that their weapons are predominantly AKMs, RPG-7s, AK47s, and semi-automatic pistols such as the TT-30.[96][97] Additionally, given the particular origin of their weaponry, they are likely to have hand grenades such as the RGD-5 or F1."

Good luck.

 

[snooks]

it could be comin' right back atcha

If it's a spud ..you've had your chips...

Or if you do use a golf ball you'd be FORE it...It's alright I was going anyway

 

[Iliade]

Maybe it would be better to fire old billiard balls at them?
http://www.asphaltplayground.net/forums/showthread.php?10445-Exploding-billiard-balls-who-knew

 

[TQA]

If someone comes down my companionway steps he may well be greeted with a blast in the face from this which will be filled with household ammonia.

Range 20 to 30 feet. If found by customs I tell them it is a cat control device.

 

[Slowtack]

I see some potential for that golf ball cannon in close quarters white sail racing
The deodorant propellant will hopefully disguise the malevolence of the device
long enough to compensate for inexperienced gunners reload time

 

[Downsman]

Not too sure about Billiard balls and the like. If you spot a Pirate with an AK that's your cue to make a break. If he starts potting the crew, you're snookered..

 

[Heckler]

I made something similar when I was about 12. It used ground-up model rocket engines for powder, toilet paper for wadding, and fired a bullet consisting of a bolt with nuts screwed onto the whole length of it. More of a musket than a cannon, I suppose, but it could certainly knock a hole in quite a thick plank.

I wasn't daft enough to try firing the thing from the shoulder - it was set off electrically from the shelter of the garden shed

Pete

copper pipe, weed killer and sugar and jetex fuse?
S

 

[Heckler]

Quote from Wikipedia:

"Various photographs of pirates in situ indicate that their weapons are predominantly AKMs, RPG-7s, AK47s, and semi-automatic pistols such as the TT-30.[96][97] Additionally, given the particular origin of their weaponry, they are likely to have hand grenades such as the RGD-5 or F1."

Good luck.

Plus the AK47 out ranges the SA80 so what does that give it? They sit a mile off and take potshots? Mind you, the average type who would be doing something like this points, closes eyes, full auto and squeeze the trigger!
S

 

[Tim Good]

Plus the AK47 out ranges the SA80 so what does that give it? They sit a mile off and take potshots? Mind you, the average type who would be doing something like this points, closes eyes, full auto and squeeze the trigger!
S

Surely the best thing, assuming you're not attacked at anchor and you see someone closing from a long way off, is a reasonably powered rifle with very good scope? You'd think you'd be able toe disable their craft or scare them off well before then get within effective range?

Note the uncertainty in my voice as i say all that.