Adventures Obtaining a Belize Driver's License
My Washington state driver's license expires next month on my birthday. I decided to get a jump on things ahead of time to assure I could continue bouncing along the lumpy roads. This turned out to be something of a mistake. I was first told that I had to be a permanent resident, but then I mentioned I owned property and that I lived here full time for four years. The traffic police (separate from the regular police) said that they could work with that and that I would need to supply copies of my passport showing the date I arrived in Belize.
The next morning I set off to obtain ink for my scanner/printer to produce the copies. The ink was no longer sold at the store that sold me the printer, but I was directed to an alternate store that provide the first success on this mission. Returning home the needed copies were produced and carried to the traffic police office. I was then informed that the copies needed to show I had been in Belize for a year so it was a return home to produce other copies. These records created some confusion saying that some months were missing, but I pointed out that the visa stamps were for more than one month. After some examination this was accepted. I was then directed to have a doctor give me an exam then stamp and sign the traffic document. I thought I could game the system and escape the exam by obtaining the license before reaching next birthday's magic number. Luck was with me as two doctors were available. I had a short wait followed by an eye exam, administered with a cell phone app, then left with the needed stamped and signed document.
I returned to the traffic office to pay the fees and score a license after better than a half a day's effort. At no point was a test or driving skill demonstration required. I chose to pay $150 BZE for a two year license. The guy taking the money tried to hit me up for some drinking money, but he ended up disappointed. I expressed disappointment in receiving a license that expires in one year and one month. It was then explained to me that a license year expires on my birthday, one month away. To that I can only shrug and say oh well. Though english is the common language, communication is not always clear or easy. Belize tends to be bureaucratic and it does no good to get tensed up about such things. I've learned to expect such things and just endure with internal humor mixed with a quiet dread.
It is not yet over, I just got a call from the traffic police. My last name was misspelled on the license and I must return to the office to have it corrected free of charge within this month.
Rudder Preparations
The 3/4 inch thick plywood rudder trailing edges have been tapered down to 3/16 of an inch. A grinder fitted with a sand paper flapper wheel made quick work of this. This operation filled the shop with more sanding dust than any task to date. Now a wiser person, I would have performed this shaping process outdoors.
Rounded rudder edges are sheathed in fiberglass and green fillets are made between the 1/4" rudder cheek blocks (to the left) and the rudder proper. All of this is part of the completed mission to sheath the rudders entirely in fiberglass.
Note the series of drilled holes opposite the tapered trailing edges. Matching holes are drilled in the hull stern to create the rudder hinges by lines laced in a figure eight pattern through the holes. This is said to be a very reliable arrangement.
Hull Sheathing
Three layers of heavier fiberglass were applied to the keel in the chocolate colored areas. This is a deviation from the plans and provides great keel protection. A professional boat builder used this method on identical boats built for a resort. These boats are run up onto a beach three times a day with great success. Without a dingy I am likely to beach the boat from time to time.
About two and one half gallons of epoxy were consumed to get this hull fiberglassed. It will likely require another two coats of epoxy with fairing compound before it is ready for painting. This work will require long board sanding after each coat to produce a satisfactory painting surface. I can look forward to more sanding in the painting process, but in the mean time I'll find other tasks.
The starboard hull can be seen in the background. White primer has been applied to the fiberglassed areas to provide protection from UV damage.
On the left is the 6 oz. fiberglass used to sheath the hulls and other exterior surfaces. Three layers of the 6 oz. fiberglass lap over the keel. On the right is the heavier 1708 fiberglass also applied in three layers over the keel. On one side is fiberglass woven and on the other side is chopped strand fiberglass mat. The sides are sewn together and form a long tape. 1708 soaks up a lot of epoxy and requires a large amount of fairing compound to get it to blend into the hull's shape. Sanding this stuff has been the first time I've experienced the itch that is common with fiberglass work. I'm itching to avoid this kind of work for awhile.
