Skip to content

‘Pronto II’ Seems Destined for the Crusher

A local, turn-of-the-century vessel is on the hard at the Army Corps of Engineers ramp in Sausalito and is likely beyond salvation, despite a long campaign from her owner to save her, as well as an outpouring of concern from the Latitude community.

Pronto II was “built by legendary Bay Area yacht builder Lester Stone as his personal yacht in 1914, and is one of only two surviving yachts in the Bay from the era; she is now the only N-Class yacht left in existence,” wrote owner Alden Bevington on a GoFundMe page from November 2018 looking to raise funds for the sloop’s restoration.

Pronto, on the far left, has been in Bay Area waters for more than 100 years.
© 2019 Lon Woodrum

Pronto II sank at anchor in mid-September in Marin waters, according to Curtis Havel, the acting harbormaster for the Richardson Bay Regional Agency, or RBRA. The boat was underwater for almost a month before finally being floated again, and ultimately dragged onto the Army Corps ramp in Sausalito.

Havel said that other agencies — such as the Sausalito Police Department and the Coast Guard — told him that “Pronto II had sunk at least two other times prior to this.” Some of our readers have confirmed that last month was not the first time Pronto II has gone under. Lon Woodrum, who volunteers as a docent on the Matthew Turner, snapped a few photos Wednesday of the boat on the hard. “It sank a year ago,” Lon said, adding that the boat is, not surprisingly, in very poor condition.

“I saw it being towed with only the mast above water just before dusk,” said Garrett Ruhland on our Instagram account. “It was pretty cool and really creepy.”

Spaulding Marine Center said they were approached several times to take on the vessel. “Unfortunately, restoration of a boat of that vintage would cost over half a million dollars, and we just don’t have the resources to take on a project of that scope,” said Spaulding’s Clark Beek.

It’s hard to see any boat in this state, especially a classic.
© 2019 Lon Woodrum

On his 2018 GoFundMe page, Bevington said, “An irreplaceable piece of maritime history, and one of San Francisco’s finest historical wooden vessels, needs immediate financial and logistical assistance to save her, bring her to safe harbor and berthage, to then begin the funding of a complete restoration.”

We have heard that owner Alden Bevington will at least salvage some hardware from Pronto II if other arrangements can’t be made.
© 2019 Lon Woodrum

On our Facebook page, a few readers expressed interest in trying to help restore Pronto II. “After reading more about her, I’m even more motivated to see her fully restored,” said Thom Maslow. “I have the means and network to bring her back. I’m a member of StFYC and believe a number of folks would be interested. She represents our history and could serve as an inspiration to adults and kids.” We appreciate the spirit, Thom.

Pronto II is not immediately scheduled to be crushed, according to Havel.

We’ll have more history about Pronto in the coming weeks. If you have any information on the vessel, please comment below, or write us here.

5 Comments

  1. james Cooper 4 years ago

    i was an owner of pronto ll circa 1976.
    we found her in a harbor in la ca.; sinking lower each month( as per owner).
    we trucked her up 101 to shipyard in santa barbara.
    we striped interior into a very basic mode.
    we replaced some many original hull 2×4 ;many ribs; recaulked and painted.
    pronto ll was sailed to sausalito in marin co where the then owner lived aboard.

    • Drew 4 years ago

      I am the diver who flooted the pronto 2 on bags this last time as in hopes of restoring……i took under water Video where the pronto had sunk….i also have pictures of the pronto 2 months and days befor she sank……it is all fish stories till the pic are seen…….

  2. Aaren Davis 4 years ago

    I also have a lot of information on the Pronto II if anyone is interested. I also have access to the prior owner who has a lot of the critical information on this boat and important parts stored in Southern California. This boat should be restored and preserved for future generations as we all know.

    • Tim Henry 4 years ago

      Aaren — Thanks for your comments. Unfortunately, ‘Pronto II’ was destroyed a few months ago.

    • Jim cooper 4 years ago

      Who is prior owner?
      Last owner I know of was Galvin, circa 1977, Marin Co., Ca

      Jim

Leave a Reply




Bay Area Sailor one of three nationwide
US Sailing announced the names of the three coaches who will head up the three initial centers. Returning to TISC and serving as Siebel Sailors coach for the San Francisco Bay region is Chris Childers.
Calendar Deadline Extended Until Monday
The goblins have yet to come collect the candy, so how can we possibly be calling for holiday season events?