For some, it’s the clothes: billowing shirts and brocaded britches for the men; bustiers and corsets, along with flowing silky skirts, for women. And plenty of leather vests, belts, jackets, hats and boots for both genders.

For others, there’s the chance to play with weapons – replica rapiers and flintlock pistols, even miniature cannons – or sailing ships.

For still others, there is the thrill of bringing a romantic period of history alive.

But modern pirates say that no matter what attracts them initially to re-creating these rogues from the past, what keeps them on board is simple: They love seeing kids’ eyes widen the minute a crew of pirates swaggers onto the scene.

“Kids can be afraid of us at first,” says Capt. Bill (aka Bill Koutrouba), who heads a crew of approximately 40 known as the Lost Boys Pirates. But by the time his crew members finish firing the candy cannons, staging mock battles, dancing with fire, handing out beads, buttons and trinkets and showing kids around their 33-foot Winnebago-turned-pirate ship, Son of the Morning Star, even the most fearful children do an about-face, he says.

“By the time they leave the ship, they’re ready to run off with us,” says Capt. Bill.

Pirates get around, and crew members say one of the best aspects of their hobby is visiting the many pirate gatherings around the country. (You can find a list at www.noquartergiven.net.) Many South Sound pirate crews will be on hand for Tacoma’s upcoming Tall Ships Tacoma and Freedom Fair festivals. (See accompanying box).

On a recent blustery weekend, hundreds invaded the coastal town of Westport for the annual Rusty Scupper Pirate Daze festival.

That’s where Capt. Jack Sparrow (aka Joe Miller of Tacoma) won third place in a Capt. Jack look-alike contest. The contest honors the popular character created by actor Johnny Depp for the Disney movie series “Pirates of the Caribbean.”

When he’s not captaining the Black Pearl or running with his IKV T’Mar pirate crew (a Klingon and pirate group), Tacoma’s own Capt. Jack works as a welder and plays in a blues/country/rock band called Sister Project.

What’s it like running the streets in eye makeup, shoulder-length dreadlocks and a knee-sweeping jacket? Let’s just say the ladies have an eye for him.

Some of them also like to re-create one of the famous scenes from the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies: “I get some gals who slap me. They like to live out the movie,” he says.

Capt. Bill of the Lost Boys, currently a self-employed siding installer who lives in Rainier, claims a colorful past as a former drill sergeant and a former stripper. It’s a résumé worthy of any real-life salty dog who roamed the high seas in the 17th or 18th centuries.

And with his tattooed arms, Capt. Bill certainly looks the pirate part. But he started the strictly G-rated Lost Boys when his son, now 18, was several years younger. He wanted a way to spend time with his kid and his son’s friends. The group, a nonprofit organization, also collects donations for the Rainier food bank.

Don’t let the name Lost Boys fool you. There are plenty of women (many call themselves wenches) in Capt. Bill’s crew, as there are in other South Sound pirate crews such as the Criminal Dawn, who specialize in pirate songs, and the IKV T’Mar, which started as a group of Klingon impersonators, then added pirating to their repertoire.

The pirate costumes are easier to create than those of the Star Trek Klingons, says Robyn the Ruthless, (aka Robyn Meadows) of Tacoma. “No latex prostheses,” she explains.

Costumes are one of the most important – and fun – parts of being a pirate, say South Sound crew members. Many craft their own pirate togs. Others shop at thrift stores or at Web sites such as www.dresslikeapirate.com or www.museumreplicas.com.

Mem~bar’ of the Broken Scabbard (a Seattleite who also goes by the name of Dennis Darnell) says the roomy pirate pants are comfy.

“It’s like walking around with pajamas on all day,” says Scabbard, one of 23 active members of Criminal Dawn.

Fellow Dawn crew member Delphina De la Sangre (aka Sierra Ramirez of Tacoma) says dressing up like a female pirate makes her feel sexy, in a healthy sort of way.

“A lot of women wouldn’t normally be considered hot in regular society,” she says. “But strap on a corset and boots up to here,” she says, pointing to the thigh-high style favored by pirates, “and everybody tends to notice you more.”

Despite historical pirates’ reputations for plundering and pillaging, she says modern-day pirate gatherings are low on debauchery and high on camaraderie.

“Everybody looks out for each other,” De la Sangre says. She says pirates are especially protective of the “smalls,” the pirate term for kids, who often attend pirate confabs in costume with their parents.

In the end, says Scabbard, what makes the pirate life attractive is this: “It’s a chance for us to forget about our problems and our bills. We are somebody else. We can just go out there and have fun.”

Debbie Cafazzo: 253-597-8635

The Jolly Roger will fly proudly over Tacoma, as pirate impersonators invade both Freedom Fair and Tall Ships Tacoma events this week.

The Lost Boys pirates will commandeer Pirates’ Cove at Tacoma’s Freedom Fair on Friday, the Fourth of July, along Ruston Way. Look for the cove in Marine Park.

The Lost Boys also plan appearances at the Tall Ships Tacoma festival, which opens Thursday on the Foss Waterway and runs through Monday.

Several South Sound pirate crews plan to roam the Tall Ships crowds, including members of the Criminal Dawn and IKV T’Mar.

At Tall Ships, you’ll be able to find plenty of pirates in Capt. Kidd’s Cove in Tradewinds Village, near the 15th Street overpass.

There, the Puget Sound Pirates/Pacific Northwest Privateers will host a living history tent filled with tools, nautical equipment, treasure, swords and more – all for kids to touch and learn from.

Pirates of Puget Sound will operate pirate-themed games for kids, including a cannon ring toss and bat-a-rat. (Don’t worry, the rat is stuffed.)

The Black Diamond Pirates will offer a chance to engage in mock combat with foam swords. There will also be a pirate school for kids, several pirate-themed variety shows and pirate songs to learn.

You’ll have a chance to have your picture taken with a Capt. Jack Sparrow look-alike.

Organizers promise that all official pirate entertainment is rated Arrrr!