Build Sequence

[Pwh]

Working on AL Endeavour and have completed the hull and deck. I've built the masts and related yards and am ready assemble. My issue is which sequence should best be followed for completion. The sequence seems to vary among builders and kits. The AL instructions are attach masts, fixed rigging, shrouds, yards, sails, running rigging. I was thinking of wrapping the sails onto the yards,attach the yards to masts, attach mast, assemble shrouds, complete remaining fixed rigging, running rig. I suspect that the scale of the model may dictate the sequence.
Any recommendations? Thanks

 

[Corsair]

As you said, the sequence varies between builders. . As a result, you will get various responses here too. My personal opinion is that you will find it easier to do stays, shrouds and rat lines without the yards getting in the way.

 

[AllanKP69]

you will find it easier to do stays, shrouds and rat lines without the yards getting in the way.

Great advice!
Do as much as practical off the model such as tying foot ropes, blocks for the buntlines, jeers, lifts and similar lines to the yards. I never had luck hanging yards with slings and parrels, etc. until the masts were set in place but some may have had better luck. For the rigging, I have found that the order of dressing used on the ship works well on the model. That includes both standing and running rigging. This can be found in Lees Masting and Rigging book but lacking that, in general, it is usually easiest to work from inboard to outboard with any rigging.
Allan

 

[Philski]

Great advice!
Do as much as practical off the model such as tying foot ropes, blocks for the buntlines, jeers, lifts and similar lines to the yards. I never had luck hanging yards with slings and parrels, etc. until the masts were set in place but some may have had better luck. For the rigging, I have found that the order of dressing used on the ship works well on the model. That includes both standing and running rigging. This can be found in Lees Masting and Rigging book but lacking that, in general, it is usually easiest to work from inboard to outboard with any rigging.
Allan

As Corsair indicated, I too do the stays and shrouds then ratlines before attempting to get the yards/sails mounted. I also like working from bow to stern starting with the bowsprit, then the foremast, mainmast, and then the mizzen. The ship I am working on right now, doing ratlines, doesn't have the shrouds in place for the mizzen as yet nor its stays. I ordered and received replacement threading to replace the stuff that OcCre included in the kit - I don't prefer to have to use beeswax if I don't have to. As far as sails are concerned, that's later then dye or not to dye? Furl or not? I guess a step at a time will have to do.

 

[Corsair]

I also recommend you highlight them in the plans as you install them. It helps keep what you have done and what you need to do separated.

 

[Martin By Eye]

Perso i am not persuaded by the sequence AL choose . Seems common to all manufacturers. I built an AL Endeavor 30 years ago as my first build but even then i decided to finish the topmast and topgallant shrouds before stepping the masts. Just seems sensible. The more you work on the model the more you take risks, and working up at the top of the mast , where everything is thin and delicate while supporting the weight of your arms and watching out for everything seems to me highly fatiguing. And dangerous. Nowadays i rig everything i can "off model", sat comfortably on the couch! Endeavor has fairly simple rigging compared to a clipper, you can rig the whole mast complete with lower shroud lines, stays ,yards, sails, sheets , bunts , leeches etc before fitting to the ship without much problem. To attach to the ship i go foremast, main, mizzen then bowsprit. Lace your lower shrouds, (easy ,to find space , just flip your mainsail up out of the way) then fit internal pinrail running rigging,while there is space, then backstays( tension later with the forestays) then on to next mast. Three masts up then bowsprit . This is when you tension the whole rigmarole with the backstays and forestays working from outside to center, bottom to top.(carefully) Finish off with sheets, tacks and (bowlines on older ships )Haven't mentioned halyards because depends on the epoch, fit them in where they have to go ! That's my sequence and i'm sticking with it ! (small variations depending on the ship) If that sounds complicated then the AL system works too.

 

[Short John Bronze]

Yes. All of the above plus:
Forestays from mast to mast can get in the way when fitting yards and routing the bits of string controlling yards and sails. Consider installing temporary ones to be removed and replaced as necessary before final installation. Endeavour has stay sails. If fitting these it might be an idea to thread the final version of the stay through any rings or loops on the sail before replacing its temporary predecessor. This avoids having to open and close the rings if the stay is fitted before attaching the sail.