It is more common than you might expect
Skipper Academy is selective. Not every applicant is offered a place, and being turned down does not mean you cannot become a Quarterdeck skipper. In most cases it means the documented sailing experience in your application was not yet strong enough to give us confidence you are ready to progress through the course and pass.
Why applications are not accepted
The most common reasons are:
Insufficient documented sailing experience. Skipper Academy students take the helm of 40 to 50ft yachts with real guests. We need confidence in your practical ability before the course begins, and when the field is competitive, the application with the stronger sailing track record takes the spot.
Missing or incomplete licenses. A valid skipper license (and VHF radio license where required) is mandatory before attending. Applications without these cannot progress.
An incomplete application or a concern raised during review that was not resolved.
Sailing Academy: the most effective route back in
If your feedback points to sailing experience as the issue, Sailing Academy is the most direct route to strengthening your application. Sailing Academy is a practical training week covering yacht handling, docking under pressure, sail trim, passage planning, and daily operations on larger yachts — exactly the skills Skipper Academy builds on.
Students who attend Sailing Academy before Skipper Academy arrive significantly more confident and have a meaningfully higher pass rate. If you apply for both in the same year, acceptance into Sailing Academy carries with it approval to join Skipper Academy in the same season.
Sort out your licenses first
If missing licenses were a factor, that is the highest-priority item before reapplying. The required certifications (skipper license, VHF radio license where required) are arranged independently in your home country. No part of Sailing Academy or Skipper Academy teaches or issues these licenses.
Re-applying directly
You are welcome to re-apply for a future cohort. Update your profile with any new sailing time, courses completed, or licenses obtained since your last application, and address any specific feedback we gave you in writing. Applications that directly respond to previous feedback tend to fare better on review.
Get in touch
If you would like to discuss your application outcome or understand what would make a future application stronger, write to us at info@quarterdeck.co.
QD Team