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DATE Thursday, 4 March 2027
TIME 7.00 pm
DURATION 1.5 hours
SPEAKERS Steffen Skopp & Sonja Hegel – a sailing couple aboard their own yacht, the Nanna
PRICE 40 euros (30 euros (for YACHT/BOOTE subscribers)
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What is this webinar special about?:
If the person on board who holds all the key responsibilities is unable to perform their duties, a relaxed sailing trip can turn into an extreme situation within a matter of minutes. In commercial shipping, this is handled differently: the first officer is not merely the captain’s assistant, but undergoes the same training and is able to take command of the vessel at any time. What he lacks to qualify as a captain is seagoing experience – not knowledge. This principle can be applied to a pleasure boat – not so that people sail separately, but so that they can sail together more safely and relaxedly.
Sonja Hegel and Steffen Skopp have developed a concept based on this, which they are currently putting into practice on their own yacht.
It consists of four key elements – training, boat set-up and practice, and a fourth that is often overlooked: the mindset of both partners. After all, having two skippers on board is not achieved through technique alone, but through a willingness to relinquish control and accept responsibility.
In this webinar, the pair present the approach they are currently putting into practice on their own boat: sound seamanship as a foundation, a boat that two very different people can operate on their own, joint trip planning and weather decisions rather than going it alone – and the inner mindset that underpins it all. After all, a partnership between two skippers isn’t created by technique alone, but by a willingness to relinquish control and accept responsibility. They openly share their journey towards this goal – including the areas where they themselves still struggle.
Webinar content:
- The concept: From one skipper and crew to two skippers – an overview of the four building blocks
- The inner attitude: Why the hardest part doesn’t take place on the board, but between two people
- The basics: Why both partners need the same solid basic training – so that they both speak the same language and have mastered the same techniques
- Technique rather than muscle: Why resting your foot on the dolphin and using the boat hook on the neighbouring boat are not manoeuvres, but an admission that things have already gone wrong
- The boat for two people: Can even a smaller or less physically strong person operate every system on board? Winch, reefing system, running rigging into the cockpit
- The slip principle: Why no manoeuvre should depend on someone being on shore – and what that means for line lengths
- A manoeuvre for all conditions: The course between the dolens, via the centre cleat and the stern cleat – the same whatever the wind direction, whether sailing in a crew of two or single-handed
- Use the space bar as the pause button: The most important thing to do if someone suddenly drops out
- Role reversal in practice: What happens when one person hands over control and the other takes it over?
Afterwards, there will be 30 minutes set aside for your questions.
The speakers:
Sonja Hegel and Steffen Skopp spend the summer living on their yacht, Nanna, in the Baltic Sea. After years of preparation, they found the boat in September 2025 and spent the entire 2026 season on board – their second season begins in May. Both have the same sailing qualifications: RYA Competent Crew, SBF for inland waters and the sea, SRC radio certificate and SKS. Steffen Skopp is the founder of the online learning platform SKS-Buddy.de to prepare for the SKS theory test; his family background is in commercial shipping.
Rather than sharing ready-made recipes, the pair are sharing a concept that they are currently testing and developing themselves on their own boat – including everything that works and everything that doesn’t yet.
Note regarding the webinars:
If you are unable to attend the webinar on the scheduled date, you can also Participants who were “unable to attend” can watch the recording of the webinar (though limited to four weeks) watch it again.
Do you have any further questions? In our FAQ You’ll quickly find the answers you’re looking for.
We are very much looking forward to seeing you!
If you have any queries, please contact us by email at wassersport-webinare@delius-klasing.de
