Customer Reviews
Day Skipper Practical
London
Informative and enjoyable Day Skipper Practical course. Instruction was very clear and supportive, and the mix of Day Skipper and Competent Crew candidates felt like it worked well for everyone. Boat seemed well maintained and no issues with the equipment during the course (I know it should be a given, but it isn't always the case on courses). Would recommend SBT for anyone considering doing a Day Skipper Practical Course.
29/07/2025
Diesel engine course
Mckinnon
Excellent course covering good mix of theory and practical. Helped me understand the main components and systems, how check and do a basic service, and how to diagnose and fix problems. The day passed quickly and we got to work on 4 off real engines. Ready to open engine bay with more knowledge and confidence. Friendly and knowledgeable instructor. Many thanks.
29/07/2025
Power Boat Refresher
Solent Boat Training
Had a great day, our instructor was wonderful and learnt a lot! Very pleased!
28/07/2025
RYA Day Skipper Practical
Solent
I’ve just completed the RYA 5 day Day Skipper Practical course. Nice boat (Gemini), first class instruction, very lucky to have a super crew and some great sailing weather. Dom not only taught us all we needed to know but lots more besides. He’s very relaxed and goes to great lengths to ensure a good understanding of manoeuvres and applying the theory on the water. Not only a fun week but came away feeling a great deal more confident in handling a yacht. I’d highly recommend SBT.
27/07/2025
Day Skipper theory
Exeter
Just done a Day Skipper theory course. Excellent instruction from Kevin Earl…. After a lifetime at sea, Kevin is an authority and brings his expert knowledge to the classroom in a highly contextualised way. His guidance helped all members of the group to pass the very demanding course. Solent boat training have excellent classroom courses and excellent staff. This is the second classroom course I have done with them and I came back after my first positive experience…… a VHF radio course with Dominic…. Another fantastic instructor.. Only have good things to say
23/07/2025
Competent Crew Practical Sailing
Burcham
I've just completed the Competent Crew Practical Sailing course and it was a great experience. It was a comprehensive course and the instructor, Simon, was extremely knowledgeable and patient. The format of 2 learners doing Competent Crew and 2 doing Day Skipper Practical worked really well with everybody learning off each other. Would highly recommend SBT for anybody looking to take their first steps onto the water or to consolidate any previous crewing experience.
16/07/2025
Intermediate Powerboat
West Midlands
Fantastic course! Sean was a great instructor - very knowledgeable. The facilities and the boat were perfect for our course. Would recommend to anyone who has done level 2 to give that extra time in a boat to learn more about maneuvers and much more about safe navigation.
14/07/2025
Day Skipper Practical
Derby
Incredibly knowledgeable and friendly instructor (Magnus). The knowledge was passed on in a really accessible format - excellent mix of getting out on the water and chatting theory at the same time. Following this course I feel comfortable berthing the boat in different scenarios - prior to this I was incredibly worried about this element. The boat was very well maintained and a pleasure to sail. The school takes great care of them.
14/07/2025
PB2
Southampton
Completed my PB2 course over the weekend and loved every bit of it from start to finish! A big thank you to my instructor Bryan — He was incredibly patient, clear in his explanations, and super supportive throughout. He really helped me feel more confident on the water .Grateful for such a positive and empowering experience!
07/07/2025
DAY SKIPPER
Solent
Absolutely fantastic. Our instructor, Debs, was superb. A thorough and comprehensive course in difficult conditions at times. I learned so much
07/07/2025
Powerboat 2
Southampton
Me, my wife and my daughter had an excellent experience learning with Bryan. From start to finish, he was just fantastic!. His friendly attitude immediately put us at ease, and he explained everything clearly and in a way that was easy to understand no matter how complex the topic seemed at first. What stood out most was his patience. No question was ever too small or too repetitive, and he always took the time to ensure I fully understood each step before moving on. I never felt rushed or overwhelmed. Thanks to his calm guidance and clear instruction, we now really feel confident and safe behind the wheel of a powerboat. I highly recommend Solent Boat Training to anyone looking to learn in a supportive and professional environment!
07/07/2025
RYA Level 2
Guildford
I had no experience and I was made to feel very relaxed and it was a truly enjoyable course. There were only three students on my course which made it very engaging. Now having completed the course I can confidently say that learning in The Solent is the way forward. Upon my return home a friend of mine took the course at a local lake and I cannot help but think about how much experience he missed out on. Highly recommend.
02/07/2025
Day Skipper Practical
London
I’ve done quite a few courses with SBT and I have enjoyed every all of them. The instructors are first class, extremely knowledgeable, relaxed and friendly. I’ve had both Dom and Mike and I rate them both. SBT are a great sailing school I can’t wait to go back and do another course
30/06/2025
Day Skipper Practical
Worcester
I have done a number of courses with SBT - Comp crew, and Powerboat level two, Diesel engine course, VHF Radio, and the full Dayskipper Course (theory and practice). SBT are a great company to work with! Instructors are relaxed and really knowledgeable, great communication from the moment you book the course, and a great fleet of training boats. Wouldn’t use anyone else now.
30/06/2025
RYA Power Boat, Lev 2
Southampton
Brilliant 2 day training course that felt just like a mini holiday. Perfect balance between theory and practice. Very good and a must have wet gear provided. Course very well structured and so well delivered by the instructutor Alex Forrow. Service second to none. I will definitely recommend your training centre to anyone .
18/06/2025
SBT Petrol Outboard Maintenance Course
Southampton
Great location and materials and props, and trainer was very knowledgeable. Good mix of theory and practical.
14/06/2025
Day skipper
Solent
This was 5 days of really good sailing. I’ve sailed with 4 different instructors on different occasions already with SBT, and every single one of them was excellent. Last instructor Tim made me want to use SBT above all others, and I know I will have fun and polish my sailing skills. Highly recommended.
09/06/2025
RYA Competent Crew
Southampton
Amazing course with an amazing instructor. I learned so much each day and met great people. 5 days, 95nm, 4hrs night sailing, lots of different weather conditions. I will definately come back to sit my Day Skipper assessment some time this season
09/06/2025
Powerboat Level 2
Southampton
Sean delivered the theory and practical parts in an friendly and professional way. His style was such as to build confidence in myself and the other guys on the course in our handling skills.. I can't really fault anything in the running of the course or in SBT... I would highly recommend using them....
09/06/2025
RYA POWERBOAT 2
SOUTHAMPTON
A WELL RUN COMPREHENSIVE COURSE WITH A FUN INSTRUCTOR. (THANKS EMILY). MYSELF AND MY 15 AND 17 YEAR OLDS ARE ALL NOW CONFIDENT IN SAFELY TAKING A POWERBOAT OUT . IT WAS LOVELY TO GO THROUGH HYTHE LOCK AND INTO THE MARINA FOR LUNCH
03/06/2025
2 Day Mile Builder
Shamrock Quay
This was a fantastic 2 days! Dom was knowledgable, patient, and excellent company. It was a really worthwhile consolidation following Comp Crew (also with SBT) last summer, and I learned more on top of this, especially in reading the weather, tide, sea state and balancing the sails. It was good to go out in some heavy weather and feel we were being challenged, and I felt Dom judged the level of challenge very well. A great training company. Thank you!
28/05/2025
Yacht marina skills
Shamrock Quay
This is a must have in my sailing calendar. A day to settle, chill and practise boat handling and techniques in a marina. Understating the elements, feeling the boat and successfully manoeuvring without stress and given a full understanding and explanation . Everything explained in a way to meet everyone’s learning style. Can’t rate this high enough!!
27/05/2025
Power Boat Level 2
Southampton
Our instructor was called Alex - he was a top chap! Professional, knowledgeable, good fun and a joy to spend two days with. We had a great group with Alex teaching the three of us how to skipper a boat in multiple situations. I think it’s fair to say that we all learned a lot and had fun doing it. My brother and I did the course so we could gain a licence to hire a speedboat abroad. The third person was a charming lady called Deborah, who was doing the course to enhance her qualifications for her maritime job. I would have no hesitation in recommending this course to anyone!
26/05/2025
Mile builder ,sail trim ,marina skills
Shamrock marina Southampton
Spent just over a week doing a variety of courses with Solent boat training 3 different skippers all very different in the way they teach and I must say what a fantastic experience I have had. I have come away with a first class experience so 10 out of 10 from me highly recommend the lads and Bella of course
26/05/2025
mile builder
Southampton to Weymouth
I did two back-to-back mile builders (2-day then 5-day) and had an amazing experience. Both instructors (first Magnus and then Debs) were very knowledgeable, safety-oriented, and a joy to spend some hours with out on the water. I already had my Day Skipper and learned so much to build on top of that in these 7 days. Highly recommended!
26/05/2025
