Question re: Rigging Multiple Blocks at One Location

[GGibson]

Anyone have any advice or recommendations on the best way to rig multiple block lines to a single location on a spar or mast?  In the plans for my Santa Maria shown below, there are a couple locations like that depicted where this situation occurs.  My best solution is to rig the two blocks noted with the green X's with one line and wrapping the line a few times around the spar.  The line for the yellow X'd block would then be slipped under the wrapped green line so that when the green blocks line was tied securely with perhaps something like a rolling hitch, the yellow block line (probably with its own knot, as well) would hold.  

 

Any different recommendations on how to best secure these lines?  Thanks...

 

 

 

[barkeater]

Easier would be to do each block on their own line going round the yard twice then lashing the afferent and efferent portions tight to grip the yard. If you do the two-block idea one line with the third used to tie it all together it becomes more complicated. Especially tying in that third line while keeping the other two tight to the yard. For looks you want all blocks to have the same length, and this is a lot easier to do doing one at a time. Added to this, you want your port to match your starboard. Easier to get it exact if you match up port and starboard blocks one at a time. If you really want to put 2 on 1 use a clove hitch and do the third separate. 

Rich

[Dr PR]

Take a look at this post:

 

https://modelshipworld.com/topic/19611-albatros-by-dr-pr-mantua-scale-148-revenue-cutter-kitbash-about-1815/?do=findComment&comment=1092641

 

I rigged the blocks at the yard arm pretty much as shown in your drawing and had to go back and redo one of them to allow the lines to run free without tangling and chafing.

 

Each block should be attached to the yard arm separately. I used seizing (small thread wrapped tightly around the ropes) that was glued to the ropes.

 

The outer black rope is the brace pendant with a block stropped (strapped) and seized into the end. This is the lower block in your drawing. It prevents the other ropes/blocks from slipping off the yard arm. But on my vessel the stunsail boom irons hold everything on the yard arms.

 

[GGibson]

10 hours ago, barkeater said:

Easier would be to do each block on their own line...

 

8 hours ago, Dr PR said:

Each block should be attached to the yard arm separately.

 

Thanks, Rich.  Thanks, Phil.  Appreciate the input from both of you!  Phil, thanks for directing me to your post with diagrams.  Helps to visually see the differences.

 

Appreciate the guidance, gentlemen!  Gives me confidence in moving forward. 👍🏆

[barkeater]

Gregg,

I noticed in your drawing that there isn't a yard arm cleat. I don't know where you are on your build, but these help your lines from slipping when under tension. They are a lot easier to do before the yard is hung. They are easy to fabricate, I first drill the cleat for the trenail. Then I glue it in place and drill into the yard itself then insert a glue coated trenail. They varied over time and country of origin. The ones I did would be from 1660 to 1815 according to James Lees "The Masting and Rigging of English Ships of War

Rich

[popeye2sea]

Each pendant or block should have an eye spliced in and fitted over the end of the yard arm.  The inside one butts up against the yard arm cleat and the rest snug up close to the preceding one. The fittings usually went over the yardarm in a specific order, usually with the footrope being first over (most inboard) and then proceeding outward with the yard tackle pendant, brace pendant, topsail sheet block, and the lift block being the last (furthest outboard).

 

Regards,

Henry

Edited yesterday at 06:51 PM by popeye2sea

[GGibson]

5 hours ago, barkeater said:

Gregg,

I noticed in your drawing that there isn't a yard arm cleat....

 

2 hours ago, popeye2sea said:

Each pendant or block should have an eye spliced in and fitted over the end of the yard arm.  The inside one butts up against the yard arm cleat and the rest snug up close to the preceding one....

 

Thank you, Rich, for the additional explanation!  And thank you, Henry, for your information.  The order in which each fitting should be placed on the yardarms is great info that I was not aware of previously.  This is all the exact info I was looking for.  Appreciate your help, gentlemen!

 

The bowsprit does have multiple cleats for which various lines are resting against them.  This spar/yardarm attached to the bowsprit, though, did not have any cleats shown in the plans.  The ends, however, are tapered such as to create its own cleat (don't know that technical nautical term, either), although it may be hard to tell in the drawing.

 

Again, guys, appreciate your input and guidance.  Y'all are awesome! 

[Dr PR]

Greg,

 

Here is a bit of terminology. The yard is the spar the sail hangs from. The tapered end where all these lines and block go is the yard arm.

 

Ya gotta know this stuff if you want to talk like a pirate!

[GGibson]

9 hours ago, Dr PR said:

Ya gotta know this stuff if you want to talk like a pirate!

 

And here I thought all I needed to say was "Arrrrrrrr..."  🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤣

 

Thanks, Phil!