After a long absence, artist Margaret Church returns to her aging parent's home to finish a portrait of them, only to to discover that her parents have decided to sell their home.

16-year-old Robin Lee Graham aims to become the youngest person to sail around the world in a 23-foot sloop named "The Dove". On his journey, he meets and falls in love with Patti Ratteree, who is also traveling around the world. As Robin sails around the world to many beautiful locales, he grows from a boy to a man, finds himself, and finds the love of his life.