Sigma Sailing Trip 2026
After Croatia in 2024 and Sardinia in 2025, the 2026 edition of the Sigma Squared Sailing Trip will take us to the Saronic Gulf in Greece! 🇬🇷
We will keep the format largely unchanged from last year, as it already delivered one of the best experiences we could have hoped for - the key difference is the location.
Please read the details below and be quick to sign up - we offer a small discount for those signing up until February 28th!
Location
This year, the trip will take place in the Saronic Gulf in Greece. While the exact departure marina is still being confirmed, you can already book your flights to Athens International Airport (ATH). We will share detailed instructions on how to reach the marina in due course; travel time from Athens will be approximately 30 minutes to one hour and we will provide you with all the details you need (exact location details and contact numbers for fixed-price taxi services).
What’s Included in the Ticket Price?
Everything related to the boat is included: the charter rental, insurance, damage waivers, fuel, and the skipper’s costs (our skippers don't get paid, but they join the trip free of charge, so their expenses are covered by the crew).
After these main costs, a small shared budget remains for food and drinks on board. Any additional expenses beyond this will depend on the consumption habits of your crew.
Please note that flights are not included. You may also need to cover one night in a hotel or Airbnb before and/or after the trip, depending on your travel schedule.
Who Can Join?
This is a Sigma event. You are, however, welcome to bring one friend or your partner from outside the Sigma community -provided they align with the spirit of the community and, most importantly, fit well with your crew.
The Crew Setup
Crew sizes will range from 6 people on a small monohull to up to 12 on a large catamaran.
You may indicate your crew preferences when signing up. The organising team and crew leads will do their best to accommodate all requests and will reach out to discuss the next-best option if a preference cannot be met. However, please note that we cannot guarantee that all preferences will be accommodated.
If you plan to be on a crew with specific people, please ensure that everyone signs up for the same boat type (catamaran vs. monohull).
Communication
All participants will be added to a WhatsApp community, which will be the primary channel for all future communication. Please ensure that you provide a phone number that is active on WhatsApp when signing up.
Crew Leads
To distribute the workload as evenly as possible, each crew will have a designated Crew Lead responsible for organising everything related to that crew and boat. This person will be your first point of contact for any questions. You will be informed of your Crew Lead once crew assignments are finalised.
Skippers
We work with skippers who are Sigma Fellows as well as skippers from our wider network. Our skippers are not paid for their work; instead, they join the trip free of charge and do not contribute to the boat rent or shared onboard expenses, with the exception of restaurant meals on land. The crew is also responsible for covering the skipper’s flight costs.
Boat Rules
Your Boat Is Not a Hotel
Operating a sailing boat requires active participation, so please be prepared to assist the skipper as needed. We will also be living on the boat for an entire week, which means everyone is expected to contribute to cooking, cleaning, and other shared chores to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for all.
Follow the Instructions of Your Skipper at All Times!
The skipper is not on board merely to sail the boat. They carry primary responsibility for everyone’s safety and for returning the boat without damage. For this reason, the skipper’s instructions must be followed at all times.
Furthermore, please make sure that you inform you skipper about any medical conditions you might have or if your ability to swim is limited in any way.
Watch Out for One Another
While sailing the Mediterranean in summer is generally not especially dangerous, we will spend significant time on open water, which always carries some risk. Please look out for one another so that everyone returns safely.
Your Crew Is a Community
Beyond swims, sunbathing, and life at sea, this trip is a community experience. It’s about meeting new people, forming friendships, and engaging in inspiring exchanges. You are therefore strongly encouraged to be an active part of both your crew’s community and the wider fleet community.
Respect Privacy
Living on a boat naturally involves limited privacy, which can at times be challenging. Please be mindful of this, respect the privacy each crew member does have, and give one another space when needed.
Payment Receipt for Tax Purposes
At checkout, you can indicate that you would like to receive a payment receipt for tax purposes. We will issue a “Statement of Costs & Contribution Receipt” (Kostenaufstellung und Zahlungsbeleg) for a “Start Up Founder Networking Event.”
Whether this is accepted as a business expense by the tax authorities in your jurisdiction is beyond our control.
Terms of Participation: Sigma Squared Sailing 2026
1. Nature of the Organization & Facilitation
Sigma Squared e.V. (the "Association") acts exclusively as a facilitator (Vermittler) and coordinator for the Sigma Squared Sailing Trip 2026. The Association is not a tour operator.
By signing up, you (the "Participant") commission and authorise the Association to act as your representative to:
Identify and book suitable sailing vessels from third-party charter companies.
Manage a shared cost pool (Bordkasse/Umlage) to cover the expenses of the group.
Organise the group’s composition and volunteer skipper assignments.
The legal relationship regarding the boat rental exists between the group of participants (as a private partnership/BGB-Gesellschaft) and the respective charter company.
2. Participation & "Crew" Status
This is a participatory community event exclusive to fellows of Sigma Squared, not a commercial cruise.
No Passengers: You are a Crew Member, not a passenger. You agree to actively participate in the operation of the vessel (e.g., cooking, cleaning, and assisting with sailing maneuvers).
Community Vibe: Each Sigma Squared fellow may bring one guest. The Association reserves the right to refuse participation to anyone who does not align with the community’s values or safety requirements.
3. Financial Contributions & Shared Costs
The "Participation Fee" is a contribution to a shared cost pool managed by the Association on behalf of the crew.
Allocation: These funds are used to pay for the yacht charter, insurance, damage waivers, and the travel expenses (flights/provisions) of the volunteer skippers.
Excess Funds: Any remaining funds after the charter and organisation costs are paid will be made available to the respective crews for fuel, marina fees, and on-board provisions.
Additional Costs: The participation fee is an estimate based on current market rates. Should actual costs (e.g., fuel, unexpected marina fees) exceed the shared pool, the crew is responsible for covering the difference. Individual expenses (flights, land-based meals, personal insurance) are the sole responsibility of the participant.
4. Volunteer Skippers
Skippers are members of the community or the wider network who volunteer their time.
They receive no salary or professional fee.
In recognition of their responsibility and skill, the crew agrees to cover the skipper’s pro-rata share of the boat charter and their travel expenses.
Safety: The skipper is the final authority on board regarding safety and vessel operation. You agree to follow the skipper’s instructions at all times.
5. Cancellation & Transfer Policy
Because the Association enters into binding, non-refundable financial commitments with third-party charter companies on behalf of the group, refunds are not possible.
Replacement: If you cannot attend, you may nominate a replacement to take over your spot and your financial obligation.
Approval: Any replacement must be approved by the Association and the respective Crew Lead to ensure safety and group cohesion.
6. Liability & Assumption of Risk
Inherent Risks: Sailing involves inherent risks (e.g., injuries, seasickness, water-related accidents). You participate at your own risk.
Limitation of Liability: The Association, its board, and the volunteer skippers shall only be liable for damages resulting from intent (Vorsatz) or gross negligence (grobe Fahrlässigkeit). Liability for simple negligence is excluded to the fullest extent permitted by law.
Third Parties: The Association is not liable for the acts, omissions, or insolvency of third-party providers (charter companies, airlines, etc.).
Insurance: The Association does not provide personal health, accident, or travel cancellation insurance. Participants are responsible for their own coverage.
7. Conduct & Removal
We maintain a safe and respectful environment. The Association and/or the Skipper reserve the right to remove any participant from the boat if their behavior:
Violates local laws.
Endangers the safety of the vessel or crew.
Is persistently disruptive to the community experience.
In the event of removal, no refund will be issued, and the participant is solely responsible for all costs related to their early departure.
8. Data & Communication
Communication takes place via a WhatsApp community. By signing up, you consent to your phone number being visible to other members of your crew and the organising team for the purpose of trip coordination.
9. Governing Law
These terms are governed by the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany. The place of jurisdiction is Berlin, Germany.
Crew Member Declaration & Waiver
Project: Sigma Squared Sailing 2026
By completing my registration and paying the contribution fee, I, the undersigned, explicitly acknowledge and agree to the following:
Private Joint-Venture: I understand that I am not a "customer" or "passenger" of Sigma Squared e.V., but a member of a private joint-charter group. The e.V. is not a tour operator; it provides organizational assistance to help the community charter vessels together.
Agency Authorization: I authorize Sigma Squared e.V. to act as my agent to sign charter contracts and manage the shared cost pool (Bordkasse) on my behalf.
No Professional Service: I acknowledge that the skippers are volunteers from the community and not professional staff of the e.V. They do not receive a salary.
Assumption of Risk: I am aware that sailing is a high-risk activity. I am physically fit to participate and can swim. I agree to inform my skipper of any medical conditions that could affect my safety or the safety of the crew.
Individual Responsibility: I understand that I am responsible for my own travel to and from the marina, as well as my own personal insurance (Health, Accident, and Personal Liability).
Binding Contribution: I understand that once the e.V. has committed the group funds to the charter company, my contribution is non-refundable. If I cannot attend, the responsibility to find a suitable replacement (subject to crew approval) lies with me.