Belize Maritime Heritage

Sailing Craft of Belize – Tom Zydler – Maritime Life and Tradition

The most important writing piece on sailing history of Belize is probably the article written by american author Tom Zydler, published in February 2000 in the #6 of Maritime Life and Tradition magazine. (Chasse-Marée…)

Sheltered by a long barrier reef and an archipelago of small islands, and benefitting from favourable trade winds Belize has long recognize the value of her wooden working wooden sailing boats built by skillful local Shipwrights. Unlike many neighboring countries, Belize has numerous lobster sloops – protected by strict fisheries regulations – and shoal-draughted sand lighters still earning a living. By Tom Zydler

As you can read the author Tom Zydler, a professional seaman, has been sailing in Belizean waters and has met during his time in the area many of the important figures he mentioned in the article.

Actually, the existence of this article has first been mentioned on a friendly discussion between Edward L.R. and the master Shipwright Juan Guerrero. Here is the original papers Juan has kept in his archives that was sent many years ago to him by the author Tom Zydler.

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