In 1965, a Cleveland newspaper copy editor with zero ocean-crossing experience builds a 13-foot sailboat in his backyard—and sets out solo across the Atlantic.
If David vs. Goliath and Hemingway had a baby, it’d be this salty, soaked, and shockingly tender odyssey.
My colleague Rob Kelly ranks “Manry at Sea” as the best sailing documentary in his list of “The Best Sailing Documentaries” (up to 14) right now.
Trailer for “Manry at Sea: In the Wake of a Dream”
You Can’t Make This Sh*t Up
- Manry was knocked overboard multiple times. His safety line saved his life each time.
- His rudder broke in the middle of the Atlantic. He hung off the back of the boat and fixed it mid-ocean.
- He navigated entirely using celestial navigation—sextant, charts, and the stars. No radio. No engine.
- When he arrived in Falmouth, England, over 50,000 people swarmed the harbor. His story had become front-page news around the world.
Watch “Manry at Sea: In the Wake of a Dream”
You can watch “Manry at Sea: In the Wake of a Dream” on Vimeo On Demand (rental or purchase).
Ratings:
- My Rating: 89/100
- IMDB Rating: 9.5/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating: not yet rated
Director’s Note: Directed by Steve Wystrach, this 94-minute documentary uses Manry’s own voice recordings and photos to stitch together one of the most intimate adventure stories ever told on film.
Release Date: 2018
My Review of “Manry at Sea: In the Wake of a Dream”
The Setup
Robert Manry, a copy editor at the Cleveland Plain Dealer, spent years secretly restoring a 13.5-foot wooden sailboat named Tinkerbelle in his backyard. Then he told his wife he was going on a solo vacation… and set off to cross the Atlantic Ocean.
With no GPS, satellite phone, or support crew, Manry sailed 3,200 miles from Falmouth, Massachusetts to Falmouth, England—taking 78 days at sea. He nearly died multiple times and still made it to a hero’s welcome.
More Highlights from the Doc
- Manry slept in 15-minute intervals to avoid collisions.
- The boat, Tinkerbelle, was so small that it could fit inside some modern SUVs. He stored 3 months of supplies in it.
- The press battle for Manry’s story was fierce—journalists rented planes and boats to reach him before he docked.
- The film includes never-before-seen footage shot by British TV crews and Manry’s own Super 8 film reels.
- Letters exchanged between Manry and his wife, Virginia, add emotional depth as she supported the journey from afar while caring for their children.
Lesser-Known Details from the Doc
- Before leaving, Manry left behind a sealed envelope to be opened if he didn’t make it back.
- The final leg of his journey was filmed from a helicopter—paid for by the London Daily Mirror in a scoop war with the Daily Express.
- Manry brought a manual typewriter and typed journal entries daily—even in storms.
- He read classic adventure books during the journey, including “Treasure Island.”
- After his return, Manry was offered a book deal and gave hundreds of lectures. But he never attempted another solo crossing.
Wrap Up
“Manry at Sea” is the kind of documentary that makes your daily problems seem small. It’s one man, one dream, and one wild ride across the ocean—with no Plan B.
Thanks for reading!
Heather Fenty, Guest Writer, Daily Doc