Lobster smack rigging

[Desertanimal]

So I’m at the point that I’m about to mount the boat on the stand (once I figure out what I’m going to use). Then I need to start the rigging. This is the 1:24 Model Shipways Lobster Smack.
I’m assuming the metal wire around the blocks is to keep things easy for the beginning builder. I would like to wrap them with rope and seize/serve, don’t know the correct terms, them like I see on larger builds. 
My question is what should they look like? If someone could direct me to a reference source that will show me what the arrangement should be and size of rope etc. So far I haven’t had much luck looking on the web.

I have bashed this kit pretty severely so I figure why stop now? 
It will give me some practice for the next build. 

Thank you for your suggestions!

 Chris

[wefalck]

I gather two sources of information will be needed, something on generic rigging practices and the other on how this particular type of boat was rigged.

 

I don't know from which period this boat actually is. This would determine the generic rigging practices, which quite significantly changed over the last quarter of the 19th century to the first quarter of the 20th century, which I believe brackets the period of this boat. In particular (galvanised) iron- and then steel wire-rope began to replace the tradtional hemp. With it the practice of what ropes would (need to) be served changed.

 

At 1:24 scale you have to change to almost completely replicate full-scale practice. 

 

Having said that, unfortunately, I cannot point you to more specific sources.

 

[Desertanimal]

Excellent points! I was unaware of the change to steel cable. Makes sense obviously. I had to laugh at myself thinking well, you see builders post how they wrap their blocks on a daily basis. That’s got to be standard practice on all boats right? Sure… from 200 years ago!!! 🤣🤣

 Thinking I’d have to reinvent the wheel to create rigging at this scale, I may just go the instruction route and worry about all that on the next build. 
Thanks!!

 Chris

[JacquesCousteau]

You ask an excellent question, one that I was myself wondering about when I looked over the smack's instructions. I looked in the relevant sections of Howard I. Chapelle's American Sailing Craft and American Small Sailing Craft, and while there's some discussion of the rigging, there's nothing about this particular question. He mentions that there was some influence from fishing schooners, so I suppose it would be reasonable to look in his book on American fishing schooners (which I don't have access to but which apparently has a several-hundred-page appendix full of details on every aspect of rigging, equipment, etc) to get some sense of possibilities. But I think your best bet, if you're still interested, would be to find a clear photo of a Muscongus Bay smack that shows the block. Unfortunately, I'm not sure where to find one. Maybe some local history museum or historical society has digitized photos that would be helpful?

[Desertanimal]

Thanks! I do have the one of Chapelle’s books with the friendship sloop in it. Not a lot of info.

I think pictures of existing boats will be the way to go. Then I’ll decide how to proceed. 

[mtaylor]

Chris, have you had a look in the kit area for builds of this ship and see what they have done?  Many builders do bash the kits for rigging, deck fixtures,etc.