Solo Voyage of Robin Lee Graham: The extraordinary story of the youngest individual to circumnavigate the globe at sea
Robin Lee Graham, a young adventurer from California, embarked on a remarkable journey at the age of 16 in 1965. Setting sail from southern California on his 24-foot sloop, the Dove, Graham aimed to achieve a feat rarely attempted by someone so young – circumnavigating the globe solo.
After a brief stopover in Hawaii, Graham's voyage took him across the vast and unpredictable Pacific Ocean. He spent a year navigating through the South Pacific, stopping for weeks at a time in the New Hebrides, the Solomon Islands, and New Guinea. Despite the tropical beauty, Graham faced numerous challenges, including managing navigation, maintenance, and repairs single-handedly, handling weather hazards such as storms, and dealing with the mental strain of extended solitude before the advent of modern communication technology.
One such storm, just after leaving the Cocos Islands in the Indian Ocean, dismasted the Dove again, forcing Graham to sail over 2,600 miles under jury rig to Mauritius. The journey was arduous, but Graham's resilience never wavered.
Graham's goal was to become the youngest person to circumnavigate the globe solo, and he officially achieved this milestone at the age of 20. Upon returning to Long Beach, California on April 30, 1970, Graham was met with major sponsorships and widespread recognition. He was featured in three cover stories in National Geographic and became the subject of books and movies celebrating his achievement.
During his voyage, Graham found companionship in a series of cats, which he adopted along the way. One such encounter was with a woman named Patti Ratterree in Fiji. They quickly fell in love, and Ratterree followed Graham on his journey, meeting up with him at various ports along the route. The couple were eventually married in South Africa before Graham set sail across the Atlantic.
As of 2025, Robin Lee Graham and Patti Ratterree still reside in Montana, with their home overlooking Flathead Lake. Their home is filled with mementos of Graham's sea journey, such as photos of tropical beaches, boat-shaped beds, and stained glass depictions of the Dove.
Graham's journey is a testament to the human spirit's ability to endure and overcome adversity. Despite the numerous challenges he faced, Graham's resilience and determination led him to achieve his dream, leaving a legacy of inspiration for future generations of adventurers.
[1] National Geographic article on Robin Lee Graham [2] Biography.com article on Robin Lee Graham [4] Time magazine article on Robin Lee Graham [5] CNN article on Robin Lee Graham and his cats
- Robin Lee Graham, after his remarkable voyage, became a subject of several articles, including those published in National Geographic, Biography.com, Time magazine, and CNN, showcasing his exceptional adventure-travel journey.
- Graham's voyage was not only a personal history-making trip but also a lifestyle change that led him to appreciate the beauty of different cultures, family-dynamics, and relationships he encountered around the world.
- Despite the loneliness and challenges he faced during his solo journey, Graham found solace in relationships, such as the one he formed with Patti Ratterree, who joined him on his adventure after they fell in love in Fiji.
- Today, the legacy of Robin Lee Graham's travel-filled life persists, inspiring future generations of adventurers to push their limits and overcome adversity in pursuit of their dreams, just as he did during his historical, family-altering journey.
