Welcome to the Save the Betty Website!

Welcome to the Save the Betty website!
The Betty, a 47 foot auxiliary cutter, was designed by the artist, teacher, writer, and skilled amateur yacht designer, Albert Strange. She was built in 1909 by Stow & Son at Shoreham, Sussex, England, and went on to have a storied career including winning - perhaps the most famous yacht race in the world-- The Fastnet--to fishing in the south Pacific, to being abandoned and waiting for the shipbreakers in a small port on the Oregon coast.
 

Betty was purchased in 2008 by renowned artist and shipwright, Manuel Lopez, and his wife, Judy.  The Lopez’s created a non-profit foundation with the intent of restoring the Betty, preserving the knowledge and lore of wooden boat construction and repair, and sharing it with others.  Plans included, not only placing Betty on permanent display at the Port of Brookings-Harbor, Oregon, but also future boat restorations, a maritime museum, a boat-building school and creation and  sponsorship of a boat festival in Brookings-Harbor.
 
 
Manuel passed away February, 2010, and was very proud of the work that was accomplished on the Betty (new ribs, stern, bowstem, etc.), but a lot of work remains to be completed so the Betty can live on.  Judy and the board are presently looking for people and ways to finish the Betty, and put her on permanent display at the Port of Brookings-Harbor.  Plans also include having an annual Brookings-Harbor boat festival and creating a maritime museum, with Betty as the crown jewel.
 

We invite you to explore the website and see the work that has been accomplished for the Betty to live again.  We also invite you to help.  We need vessel information, construction materials for the project, and monetary donations.  You can become a “Friend of the Betty” with a $100 donation.  Donations can be sent to P.O. Box 6051, Brookings, OR  97415
 

We also invite you to stop by and view Betty if you are in or passing through Brookings-Harbor.  Access to Betty through the boat-yard is restricted, but she may be seen from the parking lot of the nearby restaurant.  Please contact us, we’d love to hear from you.  For more about the Betty Foundation, please click on the Save the Betty Foundation link above.