The Dream of the West Indies
Four young sailors brave a long-distance voyage before the time of GPS
The book has matured over almost 40 years since our sailing trip to West India in 1983-84 of 10,000 nautical miles in a 35-foot sailboat that was completed before today's navigation and communication technology became available.
We were four young people; Hauk Larsen Wahl and Morten Stødle from Bærum, Erling Kagge and Arne Saugstad from Oslo who, on our way out of adolescence, each dreamed of experiencing something special before university studies, work and the seriousness of life began.
We set out with three SLR cameras, two empty diaries and the New Testament, but most of all with a youthful courage. Some with KNS blazers and ties, others with patched jeans and knit sweaters.
The memories refreshed through the diaries and all the photos have stimulated the memory to bring out further experiences from a special trip. As a result, the book has become a journey into the minds of two young people from the time the experiences actually happened.
The book was reviewed by Tom Cuncliffe in Yachting World January 2023
"Morten Stødle and Hauk Larsen Wahl have gathered the diaries they wrote and given a 'warts and all' account of the trip. Their book The Dream of the West Indies, is youthful, fresh and positive"
We hope the book will inspire today's young people to follow their dreams before the realities of life set in. The first five chapters of the book can be read below.
Travel back to 1983-84
Facsimiles from English reviews of the book
Yachting-World The-Royal-GazetteStoryline 1983-2023
April 1983
Inspiration
Fredrik Lange-Nielsen's book Ormen Stutte dit peper'n gror was our inspiration for the sailing trip to West India
May 1983
Planning the trip
All journeys begin with a dream and a map
June 1983
The trip started in Sandefjord
We rented a 35-foot sailboat type Vindø 50 named Jeanette VI in the early summer of 1983
September 1983
Preparation
Jeanette VI was prepared at Solvik in Bærum where the mast was dismantled before departure with the Fred Olsen boat Berby from Sørenga in Oslo
September 1983
D-Day September 22
Multi purpose carrier MS Berby was anchored at Fred Olsen Lines' quayside in Oslo at Sørenga where Jeanette VI was hoisted on board.
Photo: Leif Ørnelund www.oslobilder.no
September 1983
MS Berby transported us to Lisbon
The crane amidships hoisted Jeanette VI on board. Here we see Berby off Hovedøya in Oslo.
Photo: Sjøhistorie/Arne Gundersen
Link to the story of Berby
September 1983
Monument to the Discoveries
We felt a bit like adventurers where the Jeanette VI lay in the marina in Lisbon with the monument to great explorers as our nearest neighbor
October 1983
The KNS flag flies during King Olav's regency
Hauk didn't have enough time for the breakfast shift, so it was Wasa Ideal flatbread and porridge on the way to Porto Santo
October 1983
Speedsurfing into the sunset
Perfect wind direction and flat water between engine breakdowns and lazy days on Porto Santo
October 1983
Questionable language skills
The sign on the fine avenue of Porto Santo was clear
DO NOT STEP ON THE GRASS
October 1983
Grain transport by donkey.
2 great guys that we met on a taxi ride around Porto Santo looking for the island's mechanics.
October 1983
How to remove a fly in the ear with a vacuum cleaner
Medical science has developed since 1983
November 1983
Madeira Atlantic green garden
Arne and Morten got to experience great contrasts and fantastic nature on their way to Pico do Areeiro 1818 m
November 1983
Why did our dinghy end up as a bathing ring?
Ready for a party in Madeira
November 1983
Lazy days in the trade winds
When even the breakfast dishes are put in the net behind the boat in order to have clean cutlery for lunch, lazy days have been given a new definition.
November 1983
VHF Chess outside Africa
We established VHF contact with 'Søren Sophie', 'Gronk', 'Ingrid' and 'Centaurea' and played chess over the air!
December 1983
Lunch at local SNAK BAR
Erling ready for today's big meal in Mindelo in Cape Verde
December 1983
Cheering on the gravel track
Morten and Erling with local football supporters in Cape Verde before the match between Scandinavian Vikings and Cap Verde All Stars.
December 1983
Scandinavian Vikings against Cape Verde All Stars
It didn't help with Vikings in the name. We lost with flying colours.
December 1983
Football victory is celebrated with Beat It
Michael Jackson is played on the winner's cassette player after victory in the match against the Scandinavian Vikings
December 1983
Atlantic Crossing how did moldy bread taste
Breakfast is just around the corner
December 1983
We eat what lands on the deck
The flying fish landed almost directly in the frying pan on their way across the Atlantic
December 1983
Pink Floyd concert in the middle of the Atlantic
Who was awakened and to what Pink Floyd song in the sunrise 700 nautical miles before Barbados
December 1983
Squall
Morten happy after today's squall, which enabled a long-awaited hair wash
December 1983
Master of the sextant
Hauk pops the champagne when we see light from Barbados after a 15-day crossing from Cape Verde.
December 1983
Barbados
Christmas Eve breakfast with food from Royal Viking Sky and Christmas tree on the compass from Norway
December 1983
New Year's Eve at Bequia
Erling and Morten wash Norwegian Frydenlund beer cans that have been lying untouched under the door of Jeanette VI since departure from Norway in September 1983
January 1984
Lazy days in Mustique
Hauk with today's first windsurfing session outside Mick Jagger's house with the wreck of the Antilles on the horizon
January 1984
Wild horses at Mustique
Arne in active communication with the wild horses, while Erling has little faith in the dialogue.
January 1984
We were just too late for the war on Grenada
The message was clear and the contrasts with Mustique and Sandy Island were enormous
February 1984
Result of the war on Grenada
Hauk in front of the mental hospital on Grenada that was bombed during the American invasion in October 1982
February 1984
The dream came true
Jeanette VI at Sandy Island
February 1984
Sandefjord meeting on board the S/Y Albertine
Jeanette VI's owner Jean B Linaae described the party as; Cultural evening with Grenadine rum and crawfish on the menu.
March 1984
Dream cruise
Hawk with comfortable spinnaker sailing from Dominica to St. Croix
March 1984
Proud catchers
Hauk and Arne with today's catch after freediving in Trunk Bay on St. John. There was fried Parrotfish for dinner.
March 1984
Girls visiting the Virgin Islands
Pay special attention to the romantic atmosphere the candle creates
March 1984
Full concentration
Erling and Hauk repair sails for 4 days in a row.
March 1984
Royal Bermuda Yacht Club
S/Y Albertine went down in a hurricane off South Carolina while Jeanette VI was safely moored at the guest dock of the fabled RBYC.
March 1984
Vimpel and Holmenkollski
The bartender at RBYC gets the Holmenkollskien and a Norwegian pennant after making extra strong drinks for thirsty and broke guys.
April 1984
Wasa crackers as collateral for loans.
Norwegian shipowner Erling Dekke Næss helped broke compatriots with 500 dollars.
April 1984
Graffiti on Horta Azores
Behind the local youngsters can be seen the famous breakwater wall, which is full of paintings from happy sailors after crossing the Atlantic.
April 1984
Advertising assignment in the North Atlantic
Little did Hauk know what was to come.
May 1984
The quarantine flag is raised
Arne raises the yellow flag on arrival in Brixham, England, confident that Donkey's Itch has been eradicated on board Jeanette VI.
May 1984
English Channel in fog
A 35-foot sailboat without much radar reflection becomes almost invisible in one of the world's busiest shipping areas
May 1984
Mandal
Did the customs officers find what they were looking for
June 1984
10,000 nautical miles
Jeanette VI back in her home port at Ulabrand Båtforening in Sandefjord
June 2003
Ildverket
Hauk, Morten, Erling and Arne celebrate at Tjøme where the sailing trip ended 20 years earlier.
June 2007
Cultural trip back to Lisbon
Hauk, Morten, Arne and Erling in search of Bar Americano, which has delighted many a sailor since it was established in 1920.
December 2022
Yachting World January 2023
The book presented over 3 pages and a nice web article.
Link to Yachting World web article
December 2022
Sandefjords Blad 27.12.22
Main article in the paper edition and extensive online article after interview with Morten.
Link to Sandefjords Blad online article
January 2023
The Royal Gazette 12.01.2023
Great full page article under the Lifestyle section of Bermuda's largest newspaper.
Link to Royal Gazette web article
February 2023
March 2023
Seilas March 2023
5 page article in the Royal Norwegian Yacht Club's member magazine Seilas
Link to Seilas article
August 2023
The dots will somehow connect in your future
40 year celebration of the sailing trip. Erling, Arne, Hauk and Morten.
September 2023
40 years of celebration at KNS
Hauk (pictured) and Morten give a lecture about the book and the trip 40 years later at KNS
October 2023
Seila's fall issue
Lecture about the trip and the book featured in KNS's member magazine Seilas