Skipper Academy: Pre-Course Preparation Guide

Quality. Delivered. Together.

Welcome to Skipper Academy. We are looking forward to having you onboard.

Whether you are coming from Sailing Academy, from another sailing school, or from years of charter weeks, this is the week that turns a confident sailor into a working skipper. Skipper Academy is intensive, practical, and built around real scenarios on the water. Your instructor will challenge you, the conditions will test you, and the crew you sail alongside become a real part of the experience.

How well you prepare in the weeks leading up to the course will shape how much you take from it. Students who arrive with the basics already in their hands (knots, engine checks, radio procedure, and an eye for a yacht’s condition) spend the week building real leadership and seamanship, rather than catching up on fundamentals.

Read this guide slowly. Read it twice. Practise the homework at the back. By the time you arrive, you should feel ready to focus on the work itself, not the noise around it.

At Quarterdeck we live by a simple motto: Quality. Delivered. Together. That mindset starts here, before you even leave home.

See you on the water.

The Quarterdeck Team

The week at a glance

Friday: Arrive. Welcome briefing ashore. Check in to your accommodation near the course port. An evening briefing introduces the week and covers safety essentials. Bring this guide.
Saturday: Check-in day. You will run the yacht inspection, complete the crew briefing, and depart for the first anchorage.
Sunday to Wednesday: On the water. Manoeuvring under power, med mooring, anchoring, departure procedures, etiquette, and the full range of skipper responsibilities. Each day builds on the last.
Thursday: Advanced scenarios. Higher-pressure situations, real-world problem solving, and time to consolidate everything from the week.
Friday: Assessment and debrief. Final debrief, certificates, and placement conversation if relevant. The course ends at 15:00. Return travel from Friday evening or Saturday morning.

Why Are You Here?

You are here to qualify as a working skipper: someone who can run a charter yacht with paying guests, lead a crew, and deliver a week that guests remember for the right reasons.

Your instructor reads your application, CV, and experience profile before the week starts. They already have a picture of where you are strongest and where the gaps are likely to be. The week is calibrated around that.

Placement

Completing Skipper Academy is the floor, not the ceiling. The course builds the standard. What opens the door after that is the standard you skippered at and the impression you made during the week.

If you are tracking placement, the Friday debrief becomes a placement conversation: which operators in our network match your profile, what trial weeks come up next, and what kind of season suits you. This is only available to students who reach the qualifying standard.

Calibration

Be honest, in your application and on Day 1. Saying “I have not Med-moored stern-to in 25 knots” is not a confession; it is useful information. We would rather know on Day 1 than discover it on Day 3.

Part I: Your Role

1. Role of a Skipper

A sailor can operate the yacht as part of a crew. A skipper is a leader. For hundreds of years, captains and commanders have led teams from the quarterdeck of their ships: the raised platform at the stern from which the vessel was commanded and the horizon watched. That tradition of skilled, watchful leadership is what we carry forward.

At Quarterdeck, we live by the motto: Quality. Delivered. Together. Being a skipper means embodying all three of those words every day of the week.

Your top priority is the safety of the crew and the yacht, in that order. The skipper is in charge of the vessel and has the last word on itinerary when it concerns safety. Outside of safety decisions, guests are free to shape the week as they choose, and your job is to deliver the best possible version of it.

You will find yourself acting as a guide, a concierge, a sailing instructor, and above all a trusted and professional presence at the helm. Nobody wants a stranger amidst their holiday. The fastest route to a good week is to make your guests feel that the yacht is safe, the skipper is capable, and the whole thing is going to be fun.

Your behaviour and conduct shapes the perception and actions of everyone around you, particularly other sailors and skippers nearby. Represent Quarterdeck and your guests well.

Your guests may also have an onboard host who cooks, manages, and cares for guests throughout the week. That person is your partner: treat them with professionalism and mutual respect. The skipper is responsible for the safe operating condition of the yacht at all times. Your name is on the charter agreement, and the condition of the vessel when it is returned reflects directly on you.

2. Working with a Host

Together as a team, you and the host are responsible for delivering an exceptional experience to the guests. There is no rigid division of tasks. Guests do not care who gets the job done; they just expect it to be done well and on time.

At times your host might need help washing dishes, taking out the rubbish, picking up supplies at the market, or helping with food prep. Likewise, there will be times when you need support with lines, fenders, or keeping an eye on the anchor. Flexibility and willingness are the foundations of a good working relationship onboard.

Charters where the skipper and host do not communicate, or where roles are guarded rigidly, tend to receive the weakest guest reviews. The best charters are run by two people who have each other’s backs from the moment the guests board.

The skipper and host must work together to ensure that meal times and provisioning are planned around the itinerary, that reservations and activities are booked at the right times, and that guests feel supported throughout the week so the experience flows seamlessly from one day to the next.

Part II: Check-in Day

3. Check-in Day

Check-in day is consistently the most demanding day of the week and often involves a lot of waiting around. Guests arrive excited and generally expect the yacht to be ready on arrival. In reality, yachts in peak season may not be ready until 17:00 or later. Under promise and over deliver: if the charter company says the yacht will be ready at 16:00, tell your guests 17:00.

Time	Activity
12:00 to 14:00	Crew arrivals, introductions, check-in, pay deposit at charter company
13:00 to 17:00	Host and crew provision shopping
15:00 to 15:30	Skippers’ meeting (flotilla events only)
15:00 to 18:00	Yacht inspection and tech briefing (skipper and charter technician only, no guests)
18:00 to 19:00	Crew board with provisions and luggage, safety briefing and itinerary overview

Yacht Check-In

A thorough check-in is essential. You must identify and record any existing damage, technical problems, and missing items. If you do not, the charter operator may hold you responsible for damage that was there before you arrived.

Record anything significant on the inventory checklist and take photos as well. A useful technique: walk around the yacht filming everything close-up. Your phone will automatically save the date and time of the video. If a dispute arises, time-stamped footage is far more useful than written notes alone.

You must also verify that the yacht and all equipment are functioning safely and that you know how to use them. The charter operator will usually send a technician for a briefing, but be prepared to ask questions. Your safety and liability are not their responsibility: they are yours.

If you notice any damage after completing the check-in, report it immediately. Charter companies prefer an honest conversation early over a disputed one at the end of the week.

Crew Briefing

Maritime legislation, particularly the SOLAS regulations (Safety of Life at Sea), requires that you conduct a safety briefing before the vessel departs. A well-run crew briefing also sets the tone for the whole week. How you present yourself in those first 20 minutes is the first impression your guests will have of you as a skipper.

SOLAS requires you to cover the location and use of: lifejackets, harnesses and tethers, the life ring and danbuoy, flares, the life raft, fire extinguishers, bilge pumps, and the emergency VHF procedure. Work through each item with the crew in front of you, not from memory.

Beyond the safety basics, cover the following in your briefing:

Introduction: share who you are and your background. Keep it lighthearted, reassuring, and without ego.
Itinerary: outline the plan for the week and explain how daily decisions will be handled.
Special hazards: mention any flotilla rafts, dangerous local structures, or tricky harbours relevant to your destination.
History and culture: share a few interesting facts about the region. Guests who feel they are learning enjoy the week more.
Financial arrangements: explain how the kitty works, how marina costs compare to anchoring, and how tipping is typically handled.
Environment: encourage responsible behaviour around holding tank use, waste disposal, and protecting the marine environment.
Health and welfare: cover seasickness remedies, hydration, and relevant safety protocols.

Keep the briefing clear and concise. You will struggle to hold the full attention of an excited or tired crew for more than 20 minutes.

Pro tip: The kitty conversation is easier to have on Day 1 than on Day 4. Set up a shared pot for marina fees, fuel, taxi boat transfers, and shared costs on the first evening. Getting this right early means it never becomes awkward.

Part III: Yacht Operations

4. Yachting Etiquette

Charter etiquette exists for a reason: small spaces, shared resources, and close neighbours require everyone to operate by the same basic rules.

Movement and Crew Safety

Always cross a yacht in front of the mast when rafted, never through the cockpit. Do a headcount every time you depart, without exception. No loud music when mooring. No loud music after 20:00 in any marina or anchorage.

Heads and Holding Tanks

No paper in the toilet under any circumstances. Use the bins provided onboard. Always use the heads with the holding tank valve closed when moored or swimming. Ensure the holding tank is confirmed closed before arriving at any marina. This is a legal requirement in most European and Caribbean charter zones, not a preference.

Power and Water

Do not set the fridge to maximum unless you have shore power. Avoid using the fridge to cool water; it drains the batteries faster than any other single habit. Conserve fresh water throughout the week.

Stowage and Hatches

Unpack bags into the yacht on Day 1 and store large empty bags in the luggage storage at the starting marina. Secure all cupboards properly by pushing the latch in after use. Do not open hatches all the way; this significantly increases the risk of someone falling in. Close all hatches and windows before sailing.

On Deck

No red wine on deck: white only, and keep glasses below when underway in any chop. Do not borrow or take other yachts’ dinghies. Watch out for sea urchins in shallow anchorages. Keep the chart table clean and clear at all times.

Damages

If the skipper causes damage, the skipper is responsible. If the crew causes damage due to poor briefing or unclear instruction, the skipper is still responsible. Ensure your crew knows how to use all equipment onboard before they touch it.

5. Engine Checks: WOBBLE

WOBBLE is the standard pre-departure engine check sequence used across the Quarterdeck fleet. Work through it every morning before starting the engine. It takes two minutes and it protects the yacht, the guests, and your liability.

W: Water

The engine uses seawater for cooling. Check the seawater filter every morning for blockages. After starting, check the exhaust outlet: you should see a steady flow of cooling water coming out with the exhaust gases. If there is no water, shut the engine down immediately and investigate.

O: Oil

Check the engine oil level with the dipstick. The level should sit between the maximum and minimum marks. If the oil has a white or milky colour, this indicates water contamination (usually a head gasket issue) and is serious. Check the gearbox oil as well.

B: Belt

The alternator belt drives both the alternator and the seawater cooling impeller. A broken or slipping belt means no electrical generation and no cooling. Check the belt with the engine stopped. If you can twist it more than 90 degrees, or push it in more than one centimetre, it is too loose.

B: Batteries

Charter yacht batteries can deteriorate over a season of heavy use. Check that terminals are tight and free of corrosion. Ensure batteries do not get hot when the engine is running. A smell of hydrogen sulphide (similar to rotten eggs) when charging is a warning sign.

Battery voltage guide: 13.8 to 14.4V: charging correctly. 12.5V and above: fully charged. 12.0 to 12.5V: acceptable, charge soon. Below 12.0V: charge immediately. Rapidly dropping below 12.0V: batteries need replacing.

L: Leaks

Look around the engine bilge for signs of leakage. Fresh water is clear; engine oil is dark and viscous; gearbox oil has a chemical mineral smell; fuel has a strong petroleum smell. Even a small fuel leak in an enclosed space is a fire and explosion risk.

E: Exhaust

White smoke: engine is cold and warming up, or (if it persists) a water system leak into the combustion area. Grey or blue smoke: oil leak into the combustion system. Black smoke: unburnt fuel (possible causes include air intake blockage, contaminated fuel, or a malfunctioning fuel pump or injectors).

Familiarise yourself with the location of the oil filter, fuel filters, emergency stop, and fuel cutoff valve on each yacht you operate.

6. Damage Avoidance

Most charter damage is avoidable. Brief your crew on the sections below that are relevant to them.

Engine Overheating

Never exceed the maximum revs recommended by the charter company. Always do a daily engine check and ensure seawater cooling is functioning before departure. Do not motor sail while heeled over significantly.

Collisions on Autopilot

Always stand within reach of the helm when the autopilot is engaged. Keep a diligent lookout at all times. Never use autopilot if you are tired or at risk of falling asleep, and do not engage it when overpowered and sailing.

Damaged Rudder

Ferry traffic and passing vessels cause wash near quay walls that can push a moored yacht back against the structure and damage the rudder. Always tension mooring lines firmly to limit surge movement.

Loss of Items: Dinghy

Always keep the dinghy on deck when not in use. Brief your crew specifically on tying it back on properly, and check it is secure yourself every time the yacht departs from an anchorage.

Loss of Items: Fenders

Have fenders on a slip knot while entering and leaving a marina so they can be moved quickly. Secure fenders with a proper knot overnight. Stow all fenders while sailing.

Loss of Items: Deck Equipment

Stow all deck items in their proper location whenever the yacht is underway. Deck clutter is a trip hazard and an easy source of charter damage charges.

Sails

Always furl the mainsail directly into the wind with a small amount of tension on the clew. Do not over-tension sails or risk blowing a grommet; be especially careful with electric winches. Pay close attention to the genoa during tacks.

Lines in the Propeller

Always be aware of mooring lines near the aft of the yacht when manoeuvring. If you see a line drifting towards the propeller, put the engine in neutral immediately. Never leave the engine in gear unattended while mooring.

Bow Thrusters

Do not run them for more than a few seconds at a time; the motor will overheat quickly with sustained use. Keep it in reserve as a last-resort correction.

Outboard Engines

Do not tow the dinghy with the outboard engine attached. Always ensure the outboard is securely fastened to the dinghy before use and before stowing.

Anchor

Avoid trying to pull the yacht forward using the windlass. Always have the anchor chain as close to vertical as possible when retrieving. Slow down as the anchor approaches the surface. Brief your crew specifically on anchor-raising procedures before they touch the controls.

Hull Scratches

Always position fenders at the first anticipated point of contact before manoeuvring. When mooring stern-to, fenders should be on the quarters, not the transom.

Interior Damage

Before departing from any anchorage or marina, ensure all hatches and cupboards are properly closed, all drawers are latched, and any items on worktops or tables are secured or stowed.

Part IV: Manoeuvring Under Power

7. Manoeuvring Under Power

Manoeuvring under power is the area that most distinguishes an experienced skipper from a capable sailor. The principles in this section apply to every marina, every anchorage, and every departure. Understand them before you arrive. The week will test you on all of them.

Propeller Walk

Propeller walk (prop walk) describes the tendency of a propeller to rotate the stern of the yacht sideways as well as accelerating it forwards or backwards. It is a product of the way a propeller blade generates more thrust at the bottom of its arc than the top, due to the difference in water density and resistance at different depths.

Prop walk is most pronounced when the propeller is operating in reverse, when the hull has no forward speed to provide rudder authority. The majority of charter yachts will have a prop walk that pushes the stern to port in reverse. Older Bavaria models are a common exception: these typically turn to starboard.

Confirm the direction of the prop walk on every new yacht before you are committed to a tight manoeuvre. Put the engine in reverse in open water, observe which way the stern moves, and work with that knowledge from that point forward. Prop walk is a tool, not an obstacle.

How to Reverse

Plan. When moving forward, point the bow in the correct direction for the intended reverse track. Factor in prop walk: if it will push the stern to port when you engage reverse, angle the bow slightly to starboard before stopping, so the prop walk corrects for you rather than working against you.

Stopping the yacht. Stop the yacht with a smooth application of reverse. Do not assume the yacht has stopped just because the throttle is in reverse; a yacht with forward momentum will continue to move ahead until that momentum is overcome.

Reversing. Once the yacht has stopped and prop walk has rotated the bow back toward the intended direction, keep the rudder in neutral until you have built enough reverse speed to have rudder authority. Look behind you as you reverse, and keep your speed as slow as possible.

Turning in a Tight Area

Plan. Before beginning the turn, check wind direction and strength, any current, the direction of your prop walk, and the positions of surrounding yachts. If your prop walk pushes the stern to port when reversing, plan to turn to starboard: this uses prop walk to help the turn rather than fight it.

Executing the turn. Move the yacht to the left side of the turning area. Apply full rudder to starboard and make a short two to three second forward push with the throttle to begin rotating the yacht. Engage reverse: this slows the forward movement and the prop walk simultaneously pushes the stern to port, continuing the rotation. Alternate between a short forward push and reverse until the yacht has completed the turn. Keep speed to an absolute minimum throughout. Speed is the enemy of tight turns.

Med Mooring

Plan. Decide where you are going to moor and how you intend to approach. Identify an escape route: know in advance at what point you will abort and where you will go. Brief your crew clearly on who is on the bow line, who handles the anchor, and where each fender should be positioned.

Positioning the yacht. If the wind is coming from the side, approach with the stern into the wind. This will help the bow hold position once the yacht comes to a stop near the quay.

Starting the reverse approach. Straighten the yacht and aim for your spot. Bring the throttle to neutral and then use a brief forward click to stop the yacht gently. Check the stern constantly as you close the distance, and keep looking for lines in the water around the propeller.

Windward line first. Always get the windward line on first. Once the windward line is secured, use it to straighten the yacht: put full rudder to leeward and drive forward slowly. This swings the stern upwind and corrects any angle.

Order for fixing lines. Fix lines in this order: windward stern line, mooring bow line, leeward stern line. Tighten the mooring line properly: move the yacht forward one to three metres, tighten the mooring line, then rev to 1500 RPM to bring the yacht back toward the quay and lock the lines off under load. The yacht should sit one to one and a half metres from the quay.

Final checks. Once moored: confirm the bow line is properly tied, check all fenders are correctly positioned, connect shore power and fill water tanks if available, hand the yacht papers to marina staff, and confirm the holding tank is closed.

Anchoring to Land

Prepare. Brief your crew before approaching the anchorage. Confirm the depth is suitable throughout. Plan exactly where to drop the anchor and where to attach the shore line. Identify a crew member to go ashore in the dinghy with a long shore line.

Attach the shore line. Wait for the person in the dinghy to reach shore and attach the shore line to a suitable rock or bollard, then row back out. Calculate the length of chain required and identify your drop point: it should be on a line perpendicular to the shore from where you want the yacht to end up.

Drop anchor and reverse. Drop the anchor at the chosen point, ensuring it has hit the bottom before you begin reversing. Continue dropping the chain as you reverse: if the chain becomes taut at any point, drop more before reversing further.

Attach the shore line and tighten. Attach the shore line to a stern winch in the cockpit. Tighten the anchor: rev to 1500 RPM and begin picking up the chain until it reaches a 30 to 45 degree angle. Check the anchor is holding by watching a fixed reference on shore. Once confirmed, put the anchor lights on.

Anchoring to a Raft

When joining a raft, prepare bow and stern lines ready to attach to the last yacht on the raft as you come alongside. Once your lines are on, attach your own shore line ashore. Then tighten your anchor in the same way as for a solo anchorage.

Once you are secure, help the next yachts that come outside of you. A raft depends on every skipper contributing to the safety of the whole.

Building a safe raft. Always use bow, stern, and spring lines for every yacht in the raft. A raft held only by bow and stern lines will develop a banana shape under wind and swell; spring lines prevent this. Check that no masts or spreaders are parallel and at risk of contact. Every yacht in the raft must have its own shore line and a properly set anchor.

Leaving a Raft on Anchor

Plan. Always try to leave in the same order you arrived: the outermost yacht leaves first. Before making any preparations, check whether your anchor chain is crossed with the yacht next to you.

Prepare. Give the skippers around you advance notice. Do not remove your shore line until it is actually your turn to leave. Remove spring lines, but keep the shore line on until the moment of departure.

Leave your spot. Drop the lines to the yacht next to you and begin moving forward slowly. Always maintain at least 1500 RPM when not actively positioning the yacht. Keep the anchor chain as close to vertical as possible as you pick it up.

Anchor up. When you have your anchor up and are clear of the raft, notify the remaining yachts. If you have hooked another yacht’s anchor chain, notify them immediately.

Alongside Docking

Plan. Before approaching, check wind direction and strength, the current, and what is already occupying the space. Think about how you will leave: a spot that is easy to get into but impossible to get out of is not a good spot. Always have an escape plan.

Prepare. Turn music off before any manoeuvre. Set fenders at the correct height and position for the chosen approach side. Brief your crew clearly: who has the bow line, who has the stern line, who has the spring, and what they should do when you call for it.

Approach the quay. Go as slow as possible. This is not a suggestion; it is the single most important principle alongside docking. Use prop walk deliberately throughout the approach. Use bow, stern, bow spring, and stern spring as a minimum.

Alongside rafts. To prevent the raft from swinging, every second yacht should take a line to the raft in front and behind. Every third yacht should take a stern and bow line to the shore. Always dock with the bow pointing in the opposite direction to the yacht beside you. Put larger yachts closer to the dock and smaller yachts on the outside.

Alongside Departure

Prepare. Place the ball fender at the anticipated first point of contact as the bow or stern swings out. Have a crew member ready with a running fender. Attach a bow spring from the bow cleat to a point on the quay that will allow you to pivot. Brief your crew on exactly what will happen and where each person should be standing.

Swing the yacht. Slowly drive forward against the bow spring, dropping all other lines. Increase the throttle progressively to swing the stern away from the quay. Watch the bow carefully: it will move toward the quay as the stern moves away.

Exit the spot. Once the stern is clear and the yacht is in position, bring the throttle to neutral, remove the spring line, and begin reversing slowly. Exit at minimum speed with a lookout behind you throughout.

Stern spring departures follow the same principle in reverse: drive astern against a stern spring to swing the bow out, then release and motor forward to exit.

Conclusion

You have reached the end of the guide. Practising the areas outlined above will give you the best possible start at Skipper Academy, but the guide is the preparation. The course is where it comes together.

Most students who struggle during the week do so not because the material is too hard, but because they arrived without having practised the basics. A skipper who has tied a bowline ten thousand times does not think about the bowline. That is the standard to aim for with everything in this guide.

Come ready. Come curious. Bring a notebook.