Pirate Ship Calculator

Pirate Ship Performance & Combat Calculator

Sailing Specifications

Armament & Crew

Estimated Top Speed 0 Knots

Broadside Weight 0 lbs

Maneuverability Rating 0/100

Crew-to-Cannon Efficiency 0%

function calculateShipStats() { var sails = parseFloat(document.getElementById('pirate_sails').value); var wind = parseFloat(document.getElementById('pirate_wind').value); var hull = parseFloat(document.getElementById('pirate_hull').value); var cannons = parseFloat(document.getElementById('pirate_cannons').value); var caliber = parseFloat(document.getElementById('pirate_caliber').value); var crew = parseFloat(document.getElementById('pirate_crew').value); if (isNaN(sails) || isNaN(wind) || isNaN(hull) || isNaN(cannons) || isNaN(caliber) || isNaN(crew) || hull 100) maneuver = 100; if (maneuver 100) efficiency = 100; document.getElementById('res_speed').innerText = topSpeed.toFixed(1); document.getElementById('res_broadside').innerText = Math.round(broadside); document.getElementById('res_maneuver').innerText = Math.round(maneuver); document.getElementById('res_efficiency').innerText = Math.round(efficiency); document.getElementById('ship_results').style.display = 'block'; }

Understanding Pirate Ship Dynamics

In the Golden Age of Piracy, the difference between a successful raid and a trip to Davy Jones' Locker often came down to the mathematical specs of your vessel. This Pirate Ship Calculator evaluates four critical pillars of naval warfare: speed, broadside power, maneuverability, and crew efficiency.

How Speed is Calculated

A ship's speed isn't just about how many sails you have; it's about the ratio of sail area to hull displacement. A heavy Spanish Galleon might have many sails, but its massive tonnage creates immense drag. Conversely, a Sloop or Brigantine with fewer sails can achieve higher speeds because of its lightweight hull. Our formula accounts for wind velocity and the "displacement drag" of the vessel.

The Importance of Broadside Weight

Firepower is measured by the total weight of iron you can throw at an enemy in a single volley. Since ships rarely fire all cannons at once (only those on the "broadside" or facing the enemy), we calculate your combat power based on half your total cannon count multiplied by the weight of the cannonballs (caliber).

• Sloops: High maneuverability, low broadside (typically 4-10 cannons).
• Brigs: Balanced speed and power (10-18 cannons).
• Frigates: Heavy hitters (20-40 cannons) but require massive crews.

Crew-to-Cannon Efficiency

A cannon is useless without a team to load, aim, and fire it. Historically, a standard naval cannon required 4 to 6 men for maximum rate of fire. If your crew count is too low, your combat efficiency drops significantly. Our calculator determines if you have enough hands on deck to manage your firepower during the heat of battle.

Example Calculation

Imagine a pirate Schooner with the following stats:

Spec	Value
Sails	2
Wind	12 Knots
Hull Weight	80 Tons
Cannons	8 (9lb caliber)

This ship would yield a top speed of roughly 4.5 knots in light wind and a broadside of 36 lbs of iron. With a crew of 32, it achieves 100% efficiency, meaning every gun is fully manned and ready for action.