I converted the two story deck off the front of my house into a pirate ship last year and again this year. Check out the pics in my posts on both builds in the "Props" forum.
I used redwood bender board attached to the side deck supports and then out to an angled board that ran up to a main bow beam. I hung netting and "spooky fabric" between the bender boards.
I built a couple of cannon, a mast, ship's wheel and gang plank. I also ran rope from the deck and the mast out to the bow beam for "Rigging". The "Crew" is comprised of skeletons in pirate garb.
The entire scene is lit by a combination of colored spotlights, tiki torches and strobe lights. To finish off the effect I have a couple of fog machines and a pair of thunder & lightening machines....
There is lots of talent on this forum and everyone is very helpful......

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