Skipper Academy is a professional training course, not a beginner sailing programme. From day one, students are at the helm of 40 to 50ft yachts in real sailing conditions. The bar at entry reflects that.

To attend Skipper Academy you must:

Licenses are not taught or issued at Skipper Academy. You must arrange these independently before applying.

There is no fixed number of hours, but the honest answer is: you should be comfortable as crew or helm on a 35ft or larger yacht in open water, confident with docking and anchoring, and familiar with basic passage planning. If you have only sailed dinghies or done one beginner course, you are not yet ready for Skipper Academy.

If you are in doubt, err on the side of more time on the water before applying. Candidates who arrive underprepared tend to struggle during the week and are less likely to pass.

Sailing Academy is a one-week practical course covering exactly what Skipper Academy builds on: yacht handling, docking, sail trim, passage planning, and crew communication on larger yachts. It is designed for both people who want to sail for personal enjoyment and for those using it as a dedicated preparation route into Skipper Academy.

If you apply for Sailing Academy and Skipper Academy in the same year, acceptance into Sailing Academy carries with it approval to join Skipper Academy in the same season. You do not need to re-apply separately.

See: Should I do Sailing Academy and Skipper Academy in the same year?

Apply through the Skipper Academy page on quarterdeck.co. Upload your license documentation and give an honest account of your sailing background. We review every application individually and will let you know where you stand.

Questions? Get in touch at info@quarterdeck.co

QD Team