Build Your Sailing Reputation Trip by Trip
Endorsements from skippers you've sailed with prove your skills and professionalism. Each endorsement strengthens your reputation and opens new opportunities.
Post-Sail Proof That Matters
Endorsements are one-click confirmations from skippers validating your skills after sailing together. Unlike static qualifications or self-reported experience, endorsements are post-sail proof: someone you crewed with is vouching for your abilities. It's the difference between claiming competence and proving it.
Why Endorsements Open Doors
Skippers face a recurring problem: sorting serious sailors from weekend dreamers. A profile might list "Day Skipper" and "5,000 miles" but there's no proof those miles were sailed competently, recently, or at all. Endorsements solve this. When a skipper sees three endorsements from different passages—each confirming sail handling, watch keeping, or navigation—they know you're the real deal.
Endorsements create a reputation cycle. Your first trip earns an endorsement. That endorsement makes you more attractive for the next opportunity. That trip earns another endorsement. Each cycle strengthens your profile until you're the crew skippers invite first, not the one they skip over. This isn't theoretical—skippers consistently choose endorsed crew over unendorsed profiles when filling berths.
Beyond just getting selected, endorsements fast-track your progression. RYA instructors see you're actively sailing and improving. Delivery skippers trust you can handle night watches. Offshore campaigns know you're dependable in challenging conditions. Each endorsement is evidence of competence that opens new sailing paths.
How the Endorsement Loop Works
Find a Match
You apply for a crew opportunity through listings or availability search. Skipper reviews your profile (including any existing endorsements).
Sail Together
Complete the passage. You perform your role—helm, navigation, sail handling, watch keeping—proving your skills in real conditions.
Request Endorsement
After the trip, the platform prompts the skipper to endorse you. They confirm skills demonstrated, professionalism, and safety awareness. One click, done.
Profile Boost
The endorsement appears on your profile and in search results. You log the passage to your CV. Next time skippers search crew, your strengthened profile ranks higher.
This loop repeats with every trip. More endorsements → better visibility → more opportunities → more endorsements. The cycle keeps building.
Skills Skippers Endorse
Endorsements aren't just generic "good crew" stamps. Skippers confirm specific skills demonstrated during the passage:
Sail Handling
Trimming, reefing, sail changes, spinnaker work
Navigation
Passage planning, chart work, pilotage, position fixing
Helm/Drive
Steering accuracy, course holding, manoeuvring
Watch Keeping
Vigilance, weather observation, traffic awareness
Safety Awareness
Risk assessment, safety equipment knowledge, emergency procedures
Professionalism
Communication, teamwork, reliability, attitude
How to Earn Endorsements
Sail Consistently
More trips = more endorsements. Regular sailing (club races, weekend trips, deliveries) builds a steady endorsement history that proves ongoing competence.
Demonstrate Skills
Proactively take on roles—helm during tricky pilotage, assist with sail changes, stand reliable watches. Skippers endorse crew who contribute, not passengers.
Communicate Well
Ask questions, confirm instructions, brief other crew. Professionalism matters as much as technical skills. Good communicators earn glowing endorsements.
Request Post-Sail
After the trip, politely ask the skipper for an endorsement if they don't offer automatically. Most skippers are happy to endorse good crew—they just need a reminder.
Common Questions
Can I endorse a skipper?
Currently endorsements flow from skippers to crew, reflecting the trust dynamic in sailing. We're exploring mutual endorsements for future releases, but the current system focuses on building crew reputation.
Are endorsements public?
Yes. Endorsements appear on your public profile and in crew search results. They're designed to be visible proof of your sailing competence to potential skippers.
Can I remove or dispute an endorsement?
You can't remove endorsements yourself (that would defeat the trust purpose), but you can contact support if an endorsement is clearly erroneous or inappropriate. Genuine skill confirmations stay permanent.
How many endorsements do I need?
There's no magic number, but skippers typically look for 3-5 recent endorsements as strong proof of competence. More is better, but recency and variety (different skippers, different passages) matter more than raw count.
Do endorsements expire?
No, but recent endorsements carry more weight. A sailor with endorsements from this season looks more active than someone with endorsements from five years ago. Keep sailing, keep earning fresh endorsements.
What if I'm new and have no endorsements?
Everyone starts at zero. Focus on your first few trips: club races, day sails, introductory passages. Build relationships, demonstrate reliability, and request endorsements. The cycle starts slowly but accelerates quickly once you have 2-3 endorsements.
Can endorsements help me get delivery work or RYA courses?
Absolutely. Your endorsement history proves active sailing and skill development. RYA instructors see you're gaining experience between courses. Delivery skippers trust endorsed crew. Endorsements are professional credentials, not just social proof.
Start Building Your Reputation Today
Every endorsement you earn strengthens your profile and opens new sailing opportunities. The reputation cycle starts with your first trip.