By 1995, the ownership of Yankee had reached a crisis point. Robert Ford was elderly. Dick Ford, a single father to three daughters after Liz’s death, could not carry the burden alone. Consideration was being given to disposing of her.

The solution came from brother-in-law Gerald O’Connell, with support from John McNeill. They proposed forming a Limited Liability Company that would allow every member of the extended Ford family — across multiple generations — to share in the ownership and responsibility. After some persuasion, Robert agreed. The Yankee LLC was formed in February 1996. See Appendices A for the Ownership Timeline.

Almost immediately, the new structure was tested. In late 1999, Yankee was hauled at KKMI — Keefe Kaplan Maritime, Inc. — in Point Richmond for what was expected to be a routine haul-out. A bit of rot was found in the bow at the waterline. The quick haul-out became an eighteen-month restoration project.

The scope was daunting. The foremast had a massive rot pocket and had to be replaced entirely. An Oregon mill provided suitable stock; a friend in the area had a lathe with a ninety-foot tail stock capable of turning a solid mast. Wisconsin white oak for new frames was hauled to Richmond by a friend with a trucking company. KKMI allowed the new mast to cure in their wood shop rafters for months.

But the Yankee crew had one great asset: strength in numbers. Three generations of family and friends turned out on weekends to perform every task they were capable of — scraping paint, pulling fasteners, doing rough woodwork. It was, by all accounts, a remarkable community effort.

Yankee was finally launched and, after a few days of soaking to allow the seams to swell shut, headed home to her berth. Photographs of the restored vessel, taken by Wooden Boat magazine for their annual calendar (circa 2000–2001), show her in prime condition.