Hey,
You're on the right track :D I'm new to pixel art too :) best advice is to look at tutorials and keep pixeling :)
I love this tutorial
http://mossmouth.tumblr.com/post/42652506486/pixel-art-tutorial
you should check it out!
Good Luck!
Please don't submit resized works. Use 1X size if you want it to be accepted in PJ.
And don't use a huge canvas if you are not going to use it all. I see tons of empty (transparent) pixels.
Also try removing the white dot under the boat and giving more realistic to the waves and the water. GL.
thank you nixmill