Running Rigging

Like the standing rigging, the instruction sheet is quite vague about the running rigging. I consulted some of my reference material again to complete the running rigging. Because this model is relatively small scale and belaying points are few, I completed an abbreviated version of running rigging. I decided to concentrate on the lifts and braces and omit the sheets and halyards. I like to start from the inside since this is easiest to access at this time. The lateen spar is the first. I use a holder made from rod and alligator clips to hold the spars while the blocks for rigging are attached. tying them on with the spar installed almost always leads to some kind of breakage. Small beads were used as small blocks where only one thread will pass through them. Small blocks from my spare parts box were used when a larger block was needed. After the inside rigging is done I next install the topmost yard on the mizzen mast and rig it. with the lower yards out of the way, it's easier to access the belaying points. I installed the mizzen lower yard but only rigged the lifts to keep access open for the main mast rigging. Starting from the top I installed the main mast yards and rigged them in the same sequence I rigged the Mizzen mast. The foremast running rigging and yards was the same. There was no place to start the Main Yard brace so I drilled a hole in the mizzen channels and installed a ring bolt. The bowsprit and bowsprit mast was last to get rigged. All the rigging for this belayed at the rail on the bow. Light tan thread, pulled through a cake of bees wax was used for all the running rigging.