Betty Lou is a Helmsman Pilothouse 43, and is our second boat with that name. The first Betty Lou was a Camano 31 which we purchased in 2005. We took considerable care selecting the original name. A well-crafted boat name is important for several reasons: it should reflect the character of the boat and crew, it must be understandable when communicated over the radio, and it may honor important people in the life of the crew. In our case, we chose the name to honor our mothers, Elizabeth Dorr Welch and Carole Louise Shelton Smith. We certainly strive to reflect the character they attempted to instill in us. And we’ve never had any problem with her name being understood when communicated by radio.
After cruising on the first Betty Lou for 12 years, we realized we needed (or wanted) a little more space, both for guests and for us. When we sold the first Betty Lou, the happy new owner renamed her and took her north to the Chesapeake. We were boat-less and searching for a new boat, but we already new she would be named Betty Lou.
The Admiral
Sue was born, and lived her first 8 years, in Africa–what was then Portuguese West Africa (Angola). When her family returned to the United States, they settled in Connecticut. Sue’s parents later retired to their home state of Maine, where Sue eventually joined them, and where the Admiral and Captain met. A career in special education was supplemented with a wide variety of jobs, including emergency road service agent, sexton, ice cream scooper, seamstress, salad chef, bank teller, nanny, B&B housekeeper and operation of her own day care business. Sue had limited boating experience prior to signing on to help the Captain cruise mid-coast Maine on his outboard cuddy cabin Aquasport. She was promoted to first mate when they took delivery of the first Betty Lou, and jumped rank to Admiral when the second Betty Lou was under construction, based on her extraordinary abilities to coordinate fleet movements, ensure adequate provisioning and manage personnel resources.
The Captain
Fred was born and raised on the east coast of Nebraska, near the international port of Fort Calhoun. The family farm was on the banks of the Missouri River, where the current can reach 6 knots and power boating was the norm (except when you were paddling downstream). Fred’s first “boat” was a Grumman canoe, which carried him and crew down many of Nebraska’s rivers, as well as across the lakes of northern Minnesota (that canoe served him for 40 years before he set it free with a new, younger, owner). Fred also learned to sail while vacationing and studying in Minnesota, spending time on Lakes Superior and Michigan. He earned a 50 Ton USCG Master License. A career in nuclear power taught him to avoid events, and farming in Nebraska taught him that when it breaks, you need to fix it yourself. Somewhere along the way, someone called him Captain, and it stuck. He has no ambition for higher rank, and is blessed to serve under the Admiral.
Additional Crew
If you are contemplating joining Betty Lou as a crew member, check out this additional crew information. A wide variety of positions are available!
Betty Lou
The search for a new Betty Lou actually started before we sold the first Betty Lou (the Camano 31). We mapped out the voyages we dreamed of making, and made corresponding lists of requirements, priorities and desires for a new boat. Ultimately, we accomplished many of them (more room/a guest cabin, longer range to cruise to the Bahamas and back without refueling, a separate stall shower, a galley with a view, easier motion at sea), compromised on others (walk-in/stand-up engine room) and abandoned others (get-home sail rig, trans-Atlantic capability).
We looked at new boats and used boats. We investigated custom design/build. We considered aluminum, steel and fiberglass construction (but not wood).
Of course, budget realities helped pare down the options, but an emotional connection with our new boat was nearly as important. We found the right combination with the Helmsman Pilothouse 43. She feels like home. We also found a great relationship with the builder, Scott Helker. He worked with us for 17 months before we finally signed a contract for a new build, and continued to work with us through construction, delivery and commissioning. Scott’s son, Van Helker, joined the team for delivery and commissioning. We look forward to hosting them–and Lisa–on Betty Lou any time they are out our way.
Coincidentally, Helmsman acquired the Camano 31 molds, and now builds an updated version of our first Betty Lou. You can learn more about Helmsman here.
As you would expect based on the model name, Betty Lou has a pilothouse and is about 43′ bow to stern. The pilothouse is one of the features that drew us to the Helmsman, with good views and comfortable seating for 4 under way (and in the shade). She has 2 staterooms, 2 heads (one with that separate stall shower!), and if every berth is used, can sleep 7. She has air conditioning–and heat–and a generator. Her beam is 14′ 2″ and she draws 4′ 6″. A single Cummins diesel can push her along up to about 11 knots, but we normally cruise between 7 and 8 knots. The flybridge is accessible by port and starboard stairs (not a ladder), provides for open air piloting, and is where we store the dinghy–our transportation when we’re anchored out.
Betty Lou has several unique options, including 100 gallons additional fuel tankage, a combo washer/dryer mounted in the saloon under the counter aft of the galley and vented to the cockpit, and an all electric galley (no propane), which includes an induction cooktop, a convection-microwave, a fold-down counter in the cockpit with plug receptacle to provide for outside, electric grilling, and a Magnum MSH (hybrid) inverter to help meet the electrical needs. We also specified handrails positioned for accessing the engine room and mechanical space, fans in the staterooms, an extra 50′ of anchor chain (with fresh water wash down), extra house batteries, custom dimensions for the centerline galley cabinet to hold the coffee maker (and wine), and a fresh water hose bib in the cockpit. She is factory prepped for installation of a Seakeeper stabilizer and a water maker.
That’s enough detail for now. You can see some Betty Lou pictures here. In the end, it’s important to remember the words of the immortal Captain Jack Sparrow:
“Wherever we want to go, we go. That’s what a ship is, you know. It’s not just a keel and a hull and sails; that’s what a ship needs. Not what a ship is. What [a ship] really is, is freedom.”