[Texman]

When I rig a WWI plane, or some such aircraft, I use a .004 transparent thread.
I use a small pin or micro drill to make a hole in the wing, then thread it through
and pull it taught, using a gel type CA (super glue) with an accelerator to hold it in place.

The same could be done for your ships. Before assembly of hull make your holes,
then tie/thread the thread through the first hole. After assembly, you can then pull
it towards the mast, glue it there, and then bring it down and insert it into the the
next hole in the hull, securing it there. Then, using a smoldering match/toothpick, or,
what I use, a soldering iron, just barely get close to the thread and it will tighten up.