What Happened to Robin Lee Graham? - Page 3

KairosKona · 05-07-2009, 17:48

Robin owns a construction company and has been building custom homes in the Kalispell area for decades. He got "saved" at some point while living up there and does a lot of humanitarian related stuff as well. I think he might have become affiliated with a group called YWAM- Youth With a Mission, a christian youth mission. I think I remember reading somewhere that he DOES get out sailing once in awhile, doing yacht deliveries very occasionally.

His last book " Home is the Sailor, Home from the Sea" gives some insight to his "life" after Dove. It was written many decades ago.

David

Pago Girl · 17-07-2009, 08:21

This is all so interesting. I met Robin (we called him "Lee") in 1966 in American Samoa while he was waiting out hurricane season. I was a teenager at the time, and my family had moved there when my physician father took a job at the Hospital of American Samoa. There was quite a lively group of kids -- American and Samoan -- who hung out together on the island, and Lee became part of the scene. I remember that he came to my 17th birthday party. He also used to come over to use our washer and dryer once in a while. Another recollection: a hurricane hit the island during his stay, and when we got word that it was imminent, my father went down to the marina to invite Lee to spend the night at our apartment, but Lee insisted on staying with Dove and his cats. I re-read his book recently, while working on a memoir about my time in Samoa, and was fascinated with his account of riding out the storm on the boat.

Lately I've wondered why Robin/Lee is never mentioned in stories about Zac Sunderland. Did he not complete the whole circumnavigation? Or was he older than 18 by the time he finished? I don't recall from the book.

**TaoJones** · 17-07-2009, 08:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pago Girl

Lately I've wondered why Robin/Lee is never mentioned in stories about Zac Sunderland. Did he not complete the whole circumnavigation? Or was he older than 18 by the time he finished? I don't recall from the book.

Welcome to the Forum, Pago Girl - we're glad you've joined us. And thanks for providing your unique information on Robin Lee Graham.

Robin / Lee is mentioned in most accounts I've read about Zac's circumnavigation, but it isn't Graham's record that Zac is breaking - it's Jesse Martin's, an 18 year-old Australian at the time he set the record in 1999. And Zac's claim to youngest circumnavigator is probably only going to last about three weeks. A British 17 year-old, and a few months younger than Zac, should finish about that time.

Robin Lee Graham began his circumnavigation when he was 16, but he was 21 when he completed it, and married. Though he completed the circumnavigation, his vessel Dove did not. The 24' Lapworth sloop was pretty thoroughly trashed by the time he reached the Caribbean, and his father bought a 33' Allied Luders sloop in Florida which he sailed down to St. Thomas in the USVI.

Robin met his father there, moved aboard the new vessel (Big Dove), and continued on to and through the Panama Canal and back home to Los Angeles.

TaoJones

roverhi · 17-07-2009, 12:29

Big Dove has been in the Islands for quite awhile. It was for sale about 10 years ago but not in good cosmetic condition. Price was pretty good but didn't have the money or the 'need' to own another boat at the time. It was purchased by a liveaboard young couple and rehab'd. Seem to remember they ended up selling it as well. Haven't seen or heard of the boat for the past few years. Wonder if it's still here. The Allied Luders 33 is one of the prettiest boats ever.

Aloha
Peter O.
Pearson 35

Weedy · 19-07-2009, 16:15

Well, I must say like all that have posted above me. I found Robins book in a corner at my high school library while living on a custom built trawler with my parents. I was never big into reading, but after that book I was hooked on sailing and hooked on reading. I wanted to do everything he did and had been! I have always looked as Robin as a Major role model for me! It has been hampered with non sailors in every aspect of mt life, but I have never forgot Robin and what he gave me. I would love for him to come across this thread and see how many people that he has touched (which I would bet we are only a small amount across the world) or inspired! God Speed to him and his family! Thanks Robin!

Weedy

brucecompac · 02-08-2009, 22:58

I first discovered Robin Lee Graham in the pages and the cover of that first National Geographic. I couldn't believe what I was reading. He and I are about the same age. I just got my drivers license and he was setting out to circumnavigate the globe. Several years later I was reading the classifieds in the back of Cruising World Magazine, maybe 1984 or so. There was a tiny add that read: "Will deliver your yacht anywhere in the world contact R.L Graham ..." I figured it must be my hero Robin Lee Graham. I wrote him a short letter asking whatever became of him, telling him how he inspired me in so many ways and how I was surprised at his classified because he said at the end of his book Dove, that he'd never return to sea. He wrote me back a hand written letter thanking me for writing and how he was glad I was so inspired by his voyage. He also sent signed copies of Dove and Home is the Sailor ... telling me I'd find the answers to my questions in the later book. I did. I do wonder if anyone ever contacted him to deliver a boat. He'd be my first choice!

guitarkip · 16-11-2009, 17:41

Hello, This is Kip from Marina del Rey. I Saw Zack Sunderland return earlier this year and have enjoyed reading Robin's Book "the Dove." I've been reading it to my kids at night (with a few short parts edited out) and would love to read the NG articles too. Could someone send me the scans as well? I would be grateful. You can send to kiphaynes at gmail.com. Thanks!!

17-07-2009, 08:21	#2
Pago Girl Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1	Met him in Samoa in 1966 This is all so interesting. I met Robin (we called him "Lee") in 1966 in American Samoa while he was waiting out hurricane season. I was a teenager at the time, and my family had moved there when my physician father took a job at the Hospital of American Samoa. There was quite a lively group of kids -- American and Samoan -- who hung out together on the island, and Lee became part of the scene. I remember that he came to my 17th birthday party. He also used to come over to use our washer and dryer once in a while. Another recollection: a hurricane hit the island during his stay, and when we got word that it was imminent, my father went down to the marina to invite Lee to spend the night at our apartment, but Lee insisted on staying with Dove and his cats. I re-read his book recently, while working on a memoir about my time in Samoa, and was fascinated with his account of riding out the storm on the boat. Lately I've wondered why Robin/Lee is never mentioned in stories about Zac Sunderland. Did he not complete the whole circumnavigation? Or was he older than 18 by the time he finished? I don't recall from the book.

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05-07-2009, 17:48	#1
KairosKona Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 38	Robin owns a construction company and has been building custom homes in the Kalispell area for decades. He got "saved" at some point while living up there and does a lot of humanitarian related stuff as well. I think he might have become affiliated with a group called YWAM- Youth With a Mission, a christian youth mission. I think I remember reading somewhere that he DOES get out sailing once in awhile, doing yacht deliveries very occasionally. His last book " Home is the Sailor, Home from the Sea" gives some insight to his "life" after Dove. It was written many decades ago. David

17-07-2009, 12:29	#4
roverhi Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Kona, Hawaii Boat: Pearson 35 #108 Posts: 742	Big Dove has been in the Islands for quite awhile. It was for sale about 10 years ago but not in good cosmetic condition. Price was pretty good but didn't have the money or the 'need' to own another boat at the time. It was purchased by a liveaboard young couple and rehab'd. Seem to remember they ended up selling it as well. Haven't seen or heard of the boat for the past few years. Wonder if it's still here. The Allied Luders 33 is one of the prettiest boats ever. Aloha Peter O. Pearson 35

19-07-2009, 16:15	#5
Weedy Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 2	Well, I must say like all that have posted above me. I found Robins book in a corner at my high school library while living on a custom built trawler with my parents. I was never big into reading, but after that book I was hooked on sailing and hooked on reading. I wanted to do everything he did and had been! I have always looked as Robin as a Major role model for me! It has been hampered with non sailors in every aspect of mt life, but I have never forgot Robin and what he gave me. I would love for him to come across this thread and see how many people that he has touched (which I would bet we are only a small amount across the world) or inspired! God Speed to him and his family! Thanks Robin! Weedy

02-08-2009, 22:58	#6
brucecompac Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 1	I first discovered Robin Lee Graham in the pages and the cover of that first National Geographic. I couldn't believe what I was reading. He and I are about the same age. I just got my drivers license and he was setting out to circumnavigate the globe. Several years later I was reading the classifieds in the back of Cruising World Magazine, maybe 1984 or so. There was a tiny add that read: "Will deliver your yacht anywhere in the world contact R.L Graham ..." I figured it must be my hero Robin Lee Graham. I wrote him a short letter asking whatever became of him, telling him how he inspired me in so many ways and how I was surprised at his classified because he said at the end of his book Dove, that he'd never return to sea. He wrote me back a hand written letter thanking me for writing and how he was glad I was so inspired by his voyage. He also sent signed copies of Dove and Home is the Sailor ... telling me I'd find the answers to my questions in the later book. I did. I do wonder if anyone ever contacted him to deliver a boat. He'd be my first choice!

16-11-2009, 17:41	#7
guitarkip Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 1	Hello, This is Kip from Marina del Rey. I Saw Zack Sunderland return earlier this year and have enjoyed reading Robin's Book "the Dove." I've been reading it to my kids at night (with a few short parts edited out) and would love to read the NG articles too. Could someone send me the scans as well? I would be grateful. You can send to kiphaynes at gmail.com. Thanks!!