Juan Sebastian Elcano / The Moshulu Build Log

[Ignatius27]

19. Esmeralda Build Log

The rigging continues.

SoS member Jacques Cousteau discovered that I installed 12 blocks and tackles (on the masts and bowsprit) incorrectly. Without printed instructions, these Artesiana Latina kit videos really stink at fine detail. One has to consult the box top to see how the blocks attach to the overall rigging, but it is still not clear. And I got them backwards.

There are also a few knots that are used to attach sails to masts that I cant figure out because the videos go fast through that part of the build. Will have to check the George Biddlecombe book on rigging to see how these knots are tied.

And now every sail that need brass rings have them. I only put the tiny brass rings on the top jib ("flying jib"?) because it is visible. I put larger 4mm rings every where else on the 19 sails in all because I could twist them open with my fingers. There were a total of a 108 brass rings attached before sail rigging can happen.

I fixed the bowsprit blocks first to see whether they can accept a line from each of the jibs and the foremast stay sail. Lots of work, and it still looks a bit of a mess. I plan to sand the bowsprit down and re-stain it because it is accumulating too much glue. But really looking forward to rigging the jibs and the dolphin spike next.

I did this test rigging in the picture to make sure the blocks work the way they are supposed to. Check.

Now I have to re-do the 8 blocks atop the 4 masts so they can accept the 3 staysails. Outside chance I can hang the 4 gaff sails (fore-and-aft sails) tomorrow, but the Masters is on...

 

[JacquesCousteau]

Nice work, the bowsprit blocks look a lot better! If it were me, I personally would redo the mast head blocks, as it doesn't seem like it would be too difficult at this stage. That's frustrating that Artesania Latina doesn't include more detailed info on how to do it. For stropping blocks with wire, the instructions for the Model Shipways Muscongus Bay Lobster Smack include pretty clear instructions on how to do them, and are downloadable at the ModelExpo site. (Or it may be the Norwegian Pram kit, I forget.) I haven't used wire, but I have stropped blocks with scale rope and fly-tying thread, following the instructions Chuck Passaro has provided (I think it's downloadable on his Syren Ship Model Co. site). It's not 100% accurate, but is relatively easy to do and looks quite good. I have yet to model internally-stropped blocks, which I assume are what the real Esmeralda uses.

 

[Ignatius27]

Nice work, the bowsprit blocks look a lot better! If it were me, I personally would redo the mast head blocks, as it doesn't seem like it would be too difficult at this stage. That's frustrating that Artesania Latina doesn't include more detailed info on how to do it. For stropping blocks with wire, the instructions for the Model Shipways Muscongus Bay Lobster Smack include pretty clear instructions on how to do them, and are downloadable at the ModelExpo site. (Or it may be the Norwegian Pram kit, I forget.) I haven't used wire, but I have stropped blocks with scale rope and fly-tying thread, following the instructions Chuck Passaro has provided (I think it's downloadable on his Syren Ship Model Co. site). It's not 100% accurate, but is relatively easy to do and looks quite good. I have yet to model internally-stropped blocks, which I assume are what the real Esmeralda uses.

Yep, I'm going to unwind all the blocks above the 4 masts to reorient them like the bowsprit blocks. That way I can start tying the main sails and gaff sails up near the mast platforms and pin drill another pinhole about a cm from the mast top to guide rigging through. I may even apply white water-based paint to brighten the sails somewhat.

 

[Ignatius27]

Nice work, the bowsprit blocks look a lot better! If it were me, I personally would redo the mast head blocks, as it doesn't seem like it would be too difficult at this stage. That's frustrating that Artesania Latina doesn't include more detailed info on how to do it. For stropping blocks with wire, the instructions for the Model Shipways Muscongus Bay Lobster Smack include pretty clear instructions on how to do them, and are downloadable at the ModelExpo site. (Or it may be the Norwegian Pram kit, I forget.) I haven't used wire, but I have stropped blocks with scale rope and fly-tying thread, following the instructions Chuck Passaro has provided (I think it's downloadable on his Syren Ship Model Co. site). It's not 100% accurate, but is relatively easy to do and looks quite good. I have yet to model internally-stropped blocks, which I assume are what the real Esmeralda uses.

Agreed. There really is no point to work with wire when it comes setting up blocks and tackles.