Solent Boat Training Client Reviews
Yachting day experience
London
The yachting day experience was throughly enjoyable and a great introduction to yachting.
Leo the instructor was very professional, knowledgeable and enthusiastic whilst making it a fun day to remember.
I wanted to be actively involved in all tasks and he gave me that opportunity.
Well done Leo, I will now look at other courses being offered by SBT
Many Thanks SBT Team
Ashley
01/05/2024
Sailing Yacht Marina Skills and Handling
Shamrock Quay
A very useful, well-structured course giving much-needed intensive instruction in skills that are clearly essential to avoid embarrassing oneself and inconveniencing others in the marina. The instructor (Dom) was friendly, competent and able to deliver training suited to the specific needs and levels of individual students, rather than just "following the script". Exactly what I came for, and a most enjoyable experience; I look forward to learning more with SBT in the future.
30/04/2024
Sailing Experience
Solent Boat Training
Although my focus is on power as opposed to sail, I found this day a very informative fun day, and would be relevant to anyone doing the Day Skipper Power as it teaches about the different parts of a sailboat.
The emphasis of the day is to have fun and it is very much a case of you get out of the course, what you put into the course in that if you are active you get experience of putting up the sails and swapping jobs, and also taking the helm of the ship!
Certainly a great experience, and the Instructor Leo was very professional whilst remaining informal, very willing to answer any questions and making sure everyone got what they wanted out of the day!
Just remember to take a packed lunch with you onboard.
This is just one course I have done with Solent Boat Training, but it certainly won’t be the last for sure!
Nigel Whittle
30/04/2024
Day Sailing
Southampton
It was a really enjoyable day's sailing in Rainbow from Shamrock Quay to Cowes and back. Dom is an excellent instructor who pays great attention to detail and safety, as does Matt, who crewed. As a rusty Day Skipper, I learnt a lot and have booked further courses this summer. Everyone gets an opportunity to do different jobs on board if they want to, and there is new Gill kit on board for those who need it. Rainbow is a 52' Bavaria and is rather luxurious, with plenty of space around the helm. I would recommend it both for those new to sailing and the more experienced. A lot of fun. :)
30/04/2024
PB 2 course
Berkshire
Myself and my wife both took the course together with Mark Sutherland as our instructor.Really from booking the course to completion the guys have got this right.The course was really informative Mark did a great job,very helpful and patient,my wife is deaf but this posed no problems.All the kit was very good the facility’s comfortable and easy to get to with a cafe and bistro right next door for lunch and plenty of free tea at the classroom.
I don’t often give reviews but I would highly recommend these guys as we found the experience perfect preparation for getting out in our new boat.
Hope this is helpful
Thanks
David
29/04/2024
RYA Power Level 2
Hamrock Quays
Excellent, couldn't recommend any higher, David and SBT went beyond our expectations.
29/04/2024
RYA Powerboat Advanced
Solent
Having completed my Intermediate course with Bryan at SBT 2 years ago, I recently returned to do my Level 4 course.
You will struggle to find a more knowledgeable and experienced Instructor than Bryan and his dedication to his students is commendable.
The boats and equipment are well maintained and the classroom materials are all up to date and fit for purpose.
A very enjoyable and challenging 2 days (and night) during which my confidence in navigation and general boat handling has grown enormously. It's a shame that this is the final powerboat course, or I'd be coming back for the next level.
22/04/2024
2 Day Mileage Builder
Shamrock Quay
Just finished a 2 Day MIleage Builder. I have booked a few times with SBT and this time was as good as ever. Dom the instructor went out of his way to tailor the tution to our level. I would book again.
20/04/2024
Powerboat Level 2
Shamrock Quay
What a great Team at SBT - made such a huge difference from the moment you enter the centre to the time you leave. Attention to detail was superb, the ability to take more time where needed & to recognise the levels of us in the Boat & in the class room.
The course itself is so well positioned in terms of the competencies learned - the way you adapt, control of situations & positioning within your own limits.
Matt was a great instructor, time, humour and the much needed patience.!!! The weather conditions were a little 'rough' during the weekend, made it all more fun.
Thank you to the entire team at SBT - will be back for sure to complete the full courses & the Night trip
15/04/2024
Outboard Engine Course/VHF marine radio exam and Intermediate Powerboat Course
The three-day boating course I completed was fantastic. From outboard motor basics to VHF radio operation and intermediate powerboat skills, everything was well-organized. The instructor was excellent, making complex topics easy to understand. Hands-on training boosted our confidence on the water. Highly recommended for anyone looking to improve their boating skills quickly and effectively.
15/04/2024
Competent crew
Shamrock Quay Southampton
Second time with SBT and another excellent course with great instruction, well maintained boat and location that provides variety of conditions .
Already booked again.
15/04/2024
Powerboat level 2
Shamrock Quay
Great 2 day course. Bryan made me feel relaxed from the minute we started and was happy to answer any questions I threw at him. He made the course really enjoyable and engaging. The course was really informative and I came away feeling a lot more confident on the water. Having only 3 on the course meant we had a lot of opportunity to practice on the water. Looking forward to putting my new skills to the test on my brother's boat. Thank you for a great few days. I'll be back for more.
12/04/2024
3 day Mile Builder and Marina skills
I highly recommend the marina skills day, I had very little experience of handling a boat in the marina and the excellent day’s tuition from Leo has given me confidence to do some parking in future!
I also enjoyed a fun, at times challenging 3 day mile builder with Dom, an excellent instructor. SBT have helped to prepare me for my Day skipper practical which I will do this summer. This time last year I hadn’t sailed for 30 years!!
09/04/2024
Competent crew
Solent
Completed the five day competent crew course. Mike (our instructor) brought the best out of everything - be that skipper/crew, the boat or navigating the wind, waves, tides, rain, rain/sun. A top guy with local and global sailing experience and a willingness to tailor his approach. Thanks.
09/04/2024
Outboard Engine Course
Southampton
I recently attended the 1 day Solent Boat Training Outboard Engine Course, there was a mixture of theory and practical instruction. The course covered general maintenance of both 2 stroke and 4 stroke outboard engines, changing filters, oils, impellers, spark plugs, etc, also things to look out for to indicate a problem or potential problem with an outboard. This is the 4th course I have attended at SBT, our instructor, Sean, is very knowledgeable with marine matters and amused the group throughout the day keeping the course flowing well, I picked up some good tips from the course and, as always, it was good value and enjoyable.
09/04/2024
Powerboat Level 2
Shamrock Quay
Good level of instruction as with all practical courses I’ve done with SBT.
Will be back again
09/04/2024
Day Skipper theory
Southampton
This is my fourth course with SBT.
On all my courses I have been mightly impressed with each trainers standard of knowledge and enthusiasm to pass this on.
On all my courses people have travelled from all over the country to participate, all from various walks of life and varying experience, I have even sat next to a harbour master and members of the Royal Navy. So if SBT is good enough for them then they are good enough for everyone - including a novice like me!
09/04/2024
Day Skipper
Solent
Great Skipper, who shared his experience and taught calmly, clearly and with great patience. The boat was in good condition. The Solent is a fantastic place to learn and we experienced top-class overnight stays.
I do think that the website undersells SBT, and the pre course communications could be better.
Overall fantastic and will definitely look to use again.
09/04/2024
VHF
Shamrock Quay
Really great and well organised day on the VHF course - very friendly and helpful staff and good standard of equipment.
09/04/2024
Power boat level 2
Southampton
Great two days on the basics of power boat handling. Great set-up and instructors. Thoroughly enjoyable.
08/04/2024
Day Sailing
London
Been there for the day sail: really good experience, great boat (a Bavaria 51) and knowledgeable and friendly crew (Sean and Josh), recommended!
08/04/2024
Coastal Skippers 5 Day practical sailing course
Solent- Poole and wider waters
This course taught me a great deal and reinforced my confidence as a skipper. Many thanks to Leo our instructor who was fantastic throughout the 5 days. We sailed and executed manoeuvres in challenging conditions which allowed us all to build confidence in our ability to skipper in a variety of situations. With a 4 students Leo spent time with each of us discussing, demonstrating and then allowing us all to develop and demonstrate our skills. Really appreciated and highly recommend SBT.
08/04/2024
Competent Crew
Sandhurst
Great week on Gallifrey, weather was a bit wet and breezy but we learnt lots and laughed more. Big thanks to Skipper Mike who was a great teacher. Will definitely be back for more.
30/03/2024
Mile Builder
Surrey
We had a great weekend on the Mile Builder from Southampton to Lymington to build up our experience in advance of going on a flotilla holiday in Greece later this year. The yacht, Gemini, was very comfortable and the skipper knowledgeable about both sailing and local wildlife. Would do again.
27/03/2024
Intermediate Powerboat
Shamrock Quay
Sean ran a course that was pitched at just the right level and it was very informative and enjoyable. I think all three students got what the wanted from the training.
26/03/2024