Customer Reviews
Power Boat Level 2
Southahpton
Bryan was a fantastic coach. He taught us very methodically through all the elements of the boat and we all felt very safe to take control by the end. I took the course with my 18 year old twins and we had a great laugh all weekend, what a great experience. Thanks Bryan, I hope you enjoyed the Mars bar on the way home.
06/09/2025
Competent Crew
The Solent
We have a brilliant 5 days learning Competent Crew on The Solent with Solent Boat Training. They were extremely knowledgeable and professional with vast experience. Dom helped me grow in confidence, to a level beyond my expectations and we cannot wait to continue the journey.
06/09/2025
Powerboat 2 Refresher
Shamrock Quay
We had a fantastic day last Thursday with our instructor Matthew and learnt a lot. It was quite a ‘frisky’ day wind-wise, and this meant that Matt was able to tailor tuition to what we had mainly asked for - parking and leaving the berth with various methods dependent on the wind & tide. Our plan is to charter bare boat ribs, so we need to be competent in this department to avoid any nasty parking accidents, and Matt was fantastic at explaining these two skills. After Matt's excellent help, I now feel totally confident that I can assess the elements properly, and am able to hold station safely and use the elements to help with my boat handling. Thanks very much again SBT for all your kind help and for providing such an excellent service
04/09/2025
Intermediate Powerboat
Shamrock Quay
We had a fabulous couple of days during our course with a great tutor Sean. He covered all aspects clearly and was dynamic in finding another way to explain something if I hadn’t quite landed the first time. We stayed overnight on the Rodman and the staff made sure we were well catered for. Thanks to all the SBT Team.
03/09/2025
Sail Trimming
Shamrock Quay
Such a rewarding days training with our Skipper, Leo. He tailored his teaching methods to our individual needs and encouraged everyone to get involved throughout the day. Great value for money given the quality of tutoring and well maintained boats. Definitely booking another course soon!
01/09/2025
7 Day West Country Mile Builder
Germany
This was our second course with Solent Boat Training and it was yet again a great experience. Our skipper, Terry, was a highly experienced and competent sailor who planned an action-packed trip from Shamrock Quay to Brixham and back again with time left at the end to cruise around the Solent practising manoeuvres and piloting. We even got to navigate a lock in the dark! I recommend this course if you are looking for time on a boat to put the theory into practice and experience what a longer, point-to-point trip is like. The South Coast is a fantastic environment in which to experience all manner of conditions (tides, sandbanks, traffic....), giving you the broader experience which will make you a better sailor.
31/08/2025
7 day West Country Cruise
Southampton
As a competent crew level sailor I really enjoyed the chance to sail in the Solent and explore along the south coast. I had lots of opportunities to improve my helming and boat handling skills. Terry, our skipper, was very friendly and encouraging and made sure we all enjoyed a great week. I would recommend it, I had fun and learnt a lot. Thank you!
26/08/2025
Seven Day West Country Sailing Cruise
Southampton
For anyone who wants to increase their time on a yacht, consolidate knowledge from a Competent Crew or Day Skipper qualification or, as in my case, use it as a warm up for a Coastal Skipper course next month this is definitely the best way to spend a week. Over a few days we sailed from Shamrock Quay, out through the Needles Channel, across Poole Bay to Weymouth, took the inshore route around Portland Bill and arrived in Brixham with dolphins riding the bow wave. The sun shone, the wind was a steady 15-20kts southeasterly and the Jurassic Coast sparkled in the distance. On the return journey we did an 85nm leg from Brixham to Lymington, which gave me the chance to skipper a Yachtmaster qualifying passage and a couple of days spare for pilotage and night sailing around the Solent. We were incredibly lucky to have Terry onboard as instructor/skipper. He has a vast amount of experience from multiple Atlantic crossings and skippering 72 foot Challenger yachts and is just a really lovely person to go sailing with. At the start of the week we all discussed what we wanted to get out of the trip and Terry then made sure we got it all done and much much more. Terry was great at getting everyone to gel as a team, was very happy to let people get on with things (including passage planning and skippering) but then always on hand to give a bit of constructive feedback, a handy tip and useful anecdote. He can also cook an amazing curry on passage. Now, I can’t wait to come back next month for my Coastal Skipper course.
26/08/2025
Power Boat Level 2
Solent Boat Training Centre
Just returned from spending the weekend in Southampton on a 2 day power boat level 2 training course at Solent Boat Training. The instructor Neil was very good, knowledgeable & friendly. We spent most of the time out on the water in a RIB boat to gain experience in handling the boat together with some time in the classroom. Learned lots of new skills & thoroughly enjoyed the course. Would highly recommend SBT to anyone who is interested in obtaining a boat license.
26/08/2025
Powerboat level two
Southampton
Dan and the team at Solent did a first class job teaching us powerboat two. The attention to detail was excellent with a range of classroom session and then a superb level of tuition on the water. With three students per instructor we covered a lot of ground in depth and I departed with a sense of confidence inspired by Dan and his teaching. Thank you!
20/08/2025
Powerboat Level 2
London
Did the powerboat level 2 course with Bryan over the last couple of days and had a great time. Bryan was great at explaining things and offered lots of hints and tips. The team at Solent Boat Training were responsive and really helpful in the lead up to the course. Also did the essentials of navigation and seamanship online last week and the course information and pack was sent promptly. Thanks so much :)
19/08/2025
RYA Powerboat Level 2 ICC
Farnham
Completed my Powerboat Level 2 ICC course with the team at SBT. Great course and equipment. Professional, friendly tuition and coaching with excellent coach to student ratio. Highly recommend SBT.
19/08/2025
Yacht marina skills and handling
Southampton
I completed the one day yacht marina skills and handling course with Solent Boat Traing this August. I’m not very experienced and found this a very useful way of gaining experience. Great instructor and very friendly participants.
19/08/2025
RYA Powerboat level 2
Southampton
Our instructor was Bryan From start to finish the learning & &boatmanship was amazing.. Me & my 17 daughter love every minute of the 2 day course to get our licenses. Solent training are friendly and professional unit. I would highly recommend this company for all boat training in the Southampton area.
14/08/2025
RYA First Aid
Solent Boat Training , Southampton
Great course delivery, plenty of time given to questions and with depth explanations in all aspects, so all respects to our instructor. Thoroughly enjoyed the course, would highly recommended, with this course I will be very confident to be safe on the water and in daily life as well. Much appreciated !!!
13/08/2025
RYA First Aid Course
Solent Boat Training, Southampton
The RYA First Aid Course that I attended at Solent Boat Training in Southampton was my first experience with this company but it certainly won't be my last. Sean ran the course with exactly the right amount of information, engagement and humour - yes I know first aid is a serious business, but keeping a students attention for 8 hours is a real skill. I completed the course feeling both able and suitably knowledgable to perform first aid in a maritime environment. The facilities are first class, the teaching aids of the highest quality and I would have absolutely no hesitation in recommending Sean and Solent Boat Training to the sailing community.
11/08/2025
RYA 2
Southampton
I recently completed my RYA Level 2 Powerboating course with Bryan as the instructor, and it was a fantastic experience from start to finish. The course was well structured, easy to follow, and great fun throughout. Bryan explained everything clearly, and any areas we struggled with were happily gone over until we felt confident. His approachable teaching style and enthusiasm made the whole weekend not only informative but thoroughly enjoyable. We all came away with new skills, confidence on the water, and big smiles. Highly recommended!
11/08/2025
Day Skipper Theory
Shamrock Quay
Excellent course delivery, plenty of time given to questions and in depth explanations in all aspects of material. Thoroughly enjoyed the course,, would highly recommend.
11/08/2025
RYA Competent Crew
Southampton
This 5-day course in the Solent was hugely enjoyable and informative. I was returning to yacht sailing after a decade so chose this as a refresher course. We experienced all weathers from F7 down and enjoyed some fabulous sailing during the amazing Cowes week. Our instructor Magnus was excellent and his style of mixing diagrams, models and practical demonstrations was incredibly effective. In all, a really great week - thanks Magnus and SBT!
11/08/2025
Powerboat Refresher
Southampton
Very good day on the water with Bryan. We were all given an opportunity to focus on personal improvement areas with expert and relaxed guidance. Ideal for those not able to get out on the water as often as they would like! Would definitely recommend this course.
08/08/2025
RYA Powerboat Level 3 - Intermediate
Southampton
Sean’s instruction was both engaging and informative and he was able to provide some helpful advice for how I might progress further within power boating and boating in general.
04/08/2025
Powerboat Level 2 / ICC
Hampshire
Great course by instructor Alex. Clear instruction and emphasis on getting as much time on the water for practice. Would highly recommend.
30/07/2025
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
