Yo Ho Ho

Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin to slit throats.

– H. L. Mencken

If you find yourself in agreement with Mr. Mencken this Monday morning, then you might be interested in this posting I can across at gCaptain - a Pirate Ship for Sale:

A customized Gibson houseboat up for sale in St. Louis.

Built on 50' 1988 Gibson houseboat. Brand new twin 454s, Kohler generator, V drives. Holds 30 people, looks like a Hollywood set! Great as a live aboard...and an AWESOME party boat! 2 bedrooms and 2 baths. Just surveyed for $110,00, will sell for $79,000 - trades considered.

If you're interested, the Craigslist entry includes a phone number, and a snappy photo:

If you're willing to spend more (on the order of three-quarters of a million), then there's an much more authentic ship available in Honduras.  The total package includes six bronze cannons, but no pirates.  There was no mention of colors, but I'm assuming that you'll be expected to provide your own black flag.

Finally, if money really is no object, you may be in the market for the fully restored S/V Miraka.  No cannons and no pirates, but an interesting history:

S/V Miraka was built in Hong Kong by American Marine, also known as Grand Banks.  She is a Hugh Angleman/Charles Davies design  "Mayflower Ketch".

She is #8 in a series of 10 ships constructed  between 1957 and 1962.  Her completion was in 1961.  She was commissioned  by and delived to actor Neville Brand, her most celebrated owner who is well known for his roll in the "Birdman of Alcatraz" playing the prison warden and  rolls in many other famous films and TV programs.  She became our passion in 1992, and was discovered moored in  Friday Harbor, Washington in her original condition and in need of someone to love her.  From that day to now she has been completely restored from the keel to the top of the mast.  For 7 years she was constantly being refurbished by Galmukoff Marine in Port Townsend, Wa.  who employed only the best shipwrights and artisans available.  Wooden Boats such as Miraka require only the finest craftsmen available and they are to be found in the wooden boat capital of the West in Port Townsend.

Definitely the most beautiful of the lot, even though technically she was never really a pirate ship...