boot bluewater-Seminar 2027

Extensive Bluewater Expertise for Long-Distance Cruisers | 23 & 24 January

boot Blauwasserseminar 2016 - Foto: © www.blauwasser.de

The boot Düsseldorf team and BLAUWASSER.DE, led by circumnavigator Sönke Roever, invite you to the 18th Bluewater Seminar at the trade fair.

Enjoy a weekend filled with bluewater dreams, expert discussions and first-hand knowledge, featuring many well-known sailors from the bluewater sailing community!

This practical and engaging seminar is designed to help aspiring long-distance cruisers prepare for their own voyages. Renowned experts will share a wealth of practical and valuable advice. The right information can save you hundreds – or even thousands – of euros when planning your journey and equipping your yacht.

Whether your dream voyage takes you around the world or simply to Spain, most of the knowledge shared will also benefit sailors cruising closer to home. It also makes little difference whether you are a skipper or a crew member.

In addition, seminar participants enjoy a range of valuable benefits. You will find a full list of participant benefits further down the page.

We look forward to welcoming you!

Dates

Saturday, 23 January 2027, 12:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. (including lunch break)
Sunday, 24 January 2027, 9:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. (including lunch break)

Price for the two-day seminar

EUR 199.00
EUR 99.00 for an accompanying person

The seminar fee includes beverages on both days as well as admission tickets to the trade fair, which are also valid on the day after the seminar, Monday, 25 January 2027. In addition, each participant receives free access to the online seminar "Energy Management" in February 2027, as well as a EUR 10 discount on either the book Bluewater Sailing Compact or 1200 Days of Saturday.

Seminar Language: German

The Programme

Saturday, 23. Januar 2027

12:00 p.m.– Bluewater Yachts and Sails: with Sönke Roever

Monohull and multihull yachts, hull materials and hull designs
Sizing, propulsion, tank capacities and sail equipment
Sail configurations for light winds, downwind sailing and storm conditions, including reefing systems

1:15 p.m.–Pause

1:30 p.m. – Medical Preparation and Onboard First Aid Kit: with Dr. Stefanie Kamke

Medical passage planning and preparation for onboard healthcare
Onboard first aid kit, medical equipment, vaccinations and medical training
Managing and preventing seasickness, plus practical advice for sailors

2:15 p.m.– pause

4:15 p.m.– Highlights of a Circumnavigation: with Finn-Ove Putensen and Talissa Hackbarth (@Sailing.Beluga)

36,000 nautical miles and 3.5 years sailing aboard BELUGA
Route from the Mediterranean via the Atlantic, Caribbean, Panama Canal, South Pacific and Asia back to Europe
Experiences, challenges and unforgettable moments from a journey around the world

5:00 p.m.– Break and Change of Venue

5:30 p.m.– Seven Colours (Optional): with Jonathan Buttmann and Claudia Clawien (Radiopelicano)

Seven years of adventure at sea despite limited sailing experience at the start
Journey off the beaten sailing routes from Berlin to Kiribati in the Pacific
21,000 nautical miles filled with experiences, challenges and unforgettable encounters

6:00 p.m.– boot Happy Hour powered by BLAUWASSER.DE (Halle 15)

Meet and network with speakers, seminar participants and well-known sailors
Connect with crews planning to set off on a bluewater voyage in the same year
Relaxed closing event with complimentary drinks, courtesy of boot Düsseldorf and Pantaenius

19:30 p.m.– Ending

Sunday, 24. Januar 2027

9:00 a.m.– Welcome: Petros Michelidakis

9:10 a.m. –Communication on a Bluewater Yacht: with Johannes Erdmann

Mobile and satellite communication, VHF marine radio and HF/shortwave radio
Internet, Wi-Fi, email and onboard networking systems
Weather information via NAVTEX, weather fax and GRIB data

10:00 a.m.– pause

10:15 a.m. – Bluewater Weather: with Jonathan Buttmann

Weather windows, forecast models and key weather parameters for passage planning
Weather software, weather routing and forecast reliability
Dealing with calms, squalls and tropical storms at sea

11:00 a.m.- Pause

11:15 a.m. – Safety on Board: with Sönke Roever Special Guests: Martin Daldrup (M Jambo Sailing) and Jörg Flackus (Piracy Prevention Centre of the German Federal Police)

12:30 p.m. - Lunch Break

1:15 p.m. – Bluewater Insurance: with Dirk Ammann

Choosing the right insurance cover for bluewater cruising
Overview of hull, liability, personal accident, legal expenses and health insurance
Practical advice based on more than 20 years of experience advising bluewater sailors

1:45 p.m.– Pause

2:00 p.m.– Blauwasseralltag und Kosten: Mit Dr. Judith Roever und Sönke Roever

Authorities, paperwork, provisioning and onboard organisation
Food, fresh water, energy, storage and practical everyday tips
Costs for maintenance, repairs, marina fees, fuel, communication and leisure activities

15:00 p.m. – Ending

Tickets will be available on September 17

Speaker boot Blauwasser-Seminar

Sönke Roever

Editor-in-Chief and Founder of BLAUWASSER.DE

Jonathan Buttmann

Ocean-Crossing Sailor and Editor at BLAUWASSER.DE

Dr. Robert Möckel

Engineer specialising in Marine Engineering

Dirk Ammann

Sales and Underwriting Coordinator at Pantaenius

Finn-Ove Putensen und Talissa Hackbarth

Circumnavigator (@Sailing.Beluga)

Johannes Erdmann

Naval Architect and Watersports Journalist

Dr. Stefanie Kamke

Physician and lifelong sailor, having sailed since her youth.

Martin Daldrup

Sailor (M Jambo Sailing) with first-hand shipwreck experience

Jörg Flackus

Federal Police Piracy Prevention Centre

Dr. Judith Roever

Circumnavigator and Doctor of Pharmacy

Visitor Testimonials Blauwasserseminar

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the excellent Bluewater Seminar. I learned many new things and came away with plenty of valuable ideas and inspiration. It has helped me make great progress in planning our circumnavigation.”

“I really enjoyed it. The content was well prepared and presented in an excellent way.”

“Outstanding speakers. They were all truly passionate and dedicated.”

“Finally, someone has presented topics such as energy management in an exemplary and easy-to-understand way.”

“I would like to thank you for the professional organisation of the event. For me, there were two key takeaways from the seminar. Firstly, it confirmed that my approach and way of thinking are on the right track. Secondly, it helped me bring some structure to the necessary preparations. Planning a longer voyage no longer feels like an overwhelming challenge, but rather a manageable process. Thank you very much for that!”

“Even though our bluewater voyage is still a long way off, we found the seminar very interesting and valuable. It was also extremely useful for our regular charter trips in the Mediterranean. The overall presentation and way the information was delivered were excellent.”

“Thank you very much for a wonderful weekend!”

“I attended your seminar at boot, and later that same year we made our bluewater dream come true and bought a Beneteau 57. It is the best life money can buy. :-)”

Frequently Asked Questions about the bluewater-Seminar

What language is the Bluewater Seminar held in?

The bluewater-seminar is held in german.

What is bluewater sailing?

Bluewater sailing refers to sailing on the open ocean, far from coastlines, harbours and marinas. The term comes from the deep blue colour of the open sea. Sailors often spend days or even weeks without seeing land and must be largely self-sufficient throughout the voyage.

What is the difference between bluewater sailing and coastal or cruising sailing?

Bluewater sailing is the most demanding form of cruising. It combines long-distance voyages, self-sufficiency and life on the open ocean, requiring careful preparation, sound seamanship and the ability to handle extended periods at sea.

Who is the bluewater-Seminar for?

The boot Bluewater Seminar is designed for sailors planning longer passages or extended cruising adventures who want practical guidance on topics such as safety, weather, equipment and life on board. Experienced coastal and cruising sailors will also benefit from the valuable insights and first-hand experiences shared by seasoned bluewater sailors.

How do you prepare for a long-distance bluewater voyage?

Thorough preparation includes choosing and equipping the right yacht, planning for safety and weather, provisioning, and organising navigation, energy supply and crew management. The boot Bluewater Seminar provides practical advice on all these aspects and shows how common mistakes can be avoided during the planning stage.

What requirements must a bluewater yacht meet?

A bluewater yacht should be seaworthy, reliable and designed for long, self-sufficient voyages. Key requirements include a robust construction, appropriate safety equipment and sufficient storage capacity, as well as reliable energy and water systems for extended passages.

Which topics are particularly important for long-distance cruising?

The most important topics include onboard safety, weather and weather routing, navigation, energy and water management, medical preparedness, provisioning, and careful passage and crew planning. Good preparation in these areas is essential for a safe and successful long-distance voyage.

What will participants learn at the boot Bluewater Seminar?

Participants will gain practical knowledge covering all key aspects of long-distance cruising – from yacht selection and equipment to weather, safety, navigation, energy management, provisioning and life on board. Experienced bluewater sailors will also share valuable real-world insights and practical tips to help participants avoid common mistakes when planning their own voyages.