Solent RYA Powerboat, Sailing, Motorboat, Radio & Theory Courses

Welcome to Solent Boat Training - Your gateway to unrivalled adventures on the open water, offering expert training in Sailing, Motorboating and Powerboating

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Solent Boat Training runs the full range of RYA Powerboat courses including the popular RYA Powerboat Level 2 ICC from as little as £199 per person.

RYA-Sailing-Courses

Solent Boat Training runs the full RYA sailing courses scheme including the popular RYA Competent Crew & Day Skipper Courses.

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Solent Boat Training offer the full range of RYA motorboat courses including RYA Motorboat Helmsman & RYA Day Skipper.

Solent Shorebased Courses

Solent Boat Training runs a wide range of shorebased courses including RYA VHF Radio, RYA Diesel Engine Maintenance & RYA First Aid at Sea from £49 per person.

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Solent Boat Training Special Offers & Gift Vouchers

RYA Navigation Course

Solent Boat Training runs all the RYA Navigation & Theory Courses including the popular RYA Day Skipper Theory.

Solent Day Sailing Courses

Our Solent Day Sailing Experiences are perfect for both absolute beginners with no sailing experience through to Qualified sailors looking for a day out on the water.

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Close quarter handling in the marina and sail trim are taught in these one day courses.

Cross-Channel-Sailing

Sailing mile builders in the Solent and the West Country. Available for groups or individuals from £199pp

About Solent Boat Training - RYA Advanced Training Centre

Solent Boat Training (SBT) is a leading National RYA boat training centre, providing expert marine training to both the general public and the maritime industry.  Based within the famous English Solent and offering 20 years of experience, we pride ourselves in delivering Low Student Ratio and Competitively Priced Training.

Our courses cover a wide range of water and classroom skills, catering to leisure boaters looking to enhance their knowledge and expertise on the water.

We have students traveling from all over the UK, Europe and even the USA, to train with our approved RYA, HSE & MCA instructors.  All the courses and events found on our website are run by fully qualified instructors and skippers from our own training centre.

Our highly qualified instructors and state-of-the-art facilities allow us to offer comprehensive training programs, designed to meet the needs of boating enthusiasts of all levels. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned sailor, Solent Boat Training is committed to helping you achieve your maritime goals efficiently and safely.
 
We Specialise in Low Student to Instructor ratio training, at amazing competitive prices, because we believe in offering the best value for money.

 

Our Fleet of Boats are based in Southampton, allowing us to offer courses & events all over the Solent.

With our large assortment of yachts, motorboats & rigid inflatables, we have the complete flexibility to run courses for private individuals, companies and organisations alike. We offer training for all, from an absolute beginner to aspiring Yachtmaster Ocean Skippers. We also work alongside and are the training provider for Solent Boat Charters, a large local sailing events company. We have 6 classrooms, including a training workshop, all within the marina.  Together with free accommodation, included with all sailing courses, this means your training will be to the highest standard. We offer RYA courses from our Training Centre in Southampton, as well as own boat tuition all around the Solent area including, Yarmouth, Hamble, Lymington & Cowes.

RYA Powerboat Courses Inc Level 2 & ICC

We run the RYA Powerboat Level 2 courses throughout the year, on our own fleet of 6m training ribs, with Intermediate level training courses run on either of our 7.2m XS Ribs from our base in Southampton.

In addition, we also run MCA & SBT advanced powerboat training courses & events on our 7.5m XS Ribs. 

Many of these boats are MCA commercially coded vessels for day and night use up to 20 miles from land, far more than we actually require for these RYA powerboat courses.

We run a complete range of training courses including the RYA Intermediate Powerboat course and the RYA Advanced Powerboat course, with MCA commercial exam (by arrangement).

RYA courses are run from our Southampton based training centre, as well as own boat tuition all around the Solent including, Yarmouth, Hamble, Lymington & Cowes.

Powerboat Courses

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RYA Sail Cruising Courses Inc Competent Crew & Day Skipper

With our own fleet of Bavaria 37 cruising sailing yachts moored in Sharock Quay marina in Southampton offering the full range of RYA sail cruising courses from "Start Yachting", "RYA Competent Crew Course" the popular "RYA Day Skipper Practical Course" through to the Yachtmaster preparation course.

Their 3 double cabins and large saloon area make sailing the Solent, visiting new harbours and learning new skills a very pleasant experience indeed. We specialise in low ratio student to instructor courses as we feel this offers a more complete experience for very little extra expense.  We also offer our own SBT skills days, mileage builders and specialist events that fit perfectly in between the range of RYA sailing courses offered.

At SBT we believe in offering amazing value for money, compared to many local competitors, with most running courses a higher ratio of students per instructor on each course, while also charging more.

We offer our RYA courses from Southampton, as well as own boat tuition all around the Solent including, Yarmouth, Hamble, Lymington & Cowes.

Yacht Sailing Courses

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Sailing Mile Building & Experience Sailing Days

With our yachts based in centrally in Southampton, we are able to offer a vast range of sailing mile builders and sailing experience days.  This allows our past present and future students the chance to increase their knowledge and experience, whilst putting in to practice, previously learnt skills.


Sailing Experience Days Sailing Mile Builders

RYA Motor Cruising Courses

We have a fantastic Flybridge Motorboat called 'Kingfisher', a Rodman 1040 Adv.She is perfect for the entire range of RYA motorboat courses. ' RYA Motor Cruising Training Courses' run from our fleets base in Southampton's Shamrock Quay. 

SBT courses offer complete flexibility to train you in many aspects of motorboat handling and fits in between the RYA motorboat courses.

We can run motorboat courses from our Southampton base as well as own boat tuition all around the Solent including, Yarmouth, Hamble, Lymington & Cowes.

Motorboat Courses

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RYA & SBT - Shore Based & Theory Courses

Our classroom overlooks Shamrock Quay Marina in Southampton and is only 50 yards from the water's edge.

Our classrooms are a warm and safe environment for all of our shore based courses, including; RYA VHF Radio, Marine Radar, First Aid, Day Skipper Theory, Coastal Skipper & Yachtmaster Theory courses.

Our own SBT Outboard Petrol Engine Maintenance course and the RYA Diesel Engine Maintenance courses have become increasingly popular.

Shorebased Courses

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HSE First Aid Training Courses

SBT are a fully certified HSE first aid training centre offering the popular First Aid Courses including;

  • Emergency first aid at work
  • Paediatric First Aid
  • Activity First Aid.

First Aid Courses

HSE First Aid Courses

Own Boat Tuition

Our RYA instructors are able to travel to any venue in the Solent area and offer the full range of RYA courses on your vessel or at your premise. We call this own boat tuition.

 

Own Boat Tuition

Check out our Google Reviews

344 Total Reviews
Amazing two days, totally hands on, came away with new skills and respect for tides and weather, our trainer Alex was exceptional, tailoring training for our individual needs. I had no experience and now feel confident to get on the water safely Thank you Solent Training Team!
Kelly Rushen
11/09/2025
I’ve just completed the Powerboat Level 2 course with Kevin as my instructor and I couldn’t recommend it more highly! Kevin explained everything clearly and calmly, breaking down not just what to do but also why the boat behaves the way it does. The theory was covered in great detail and his extensive knowledge and experience in boating were second to none. Kevin’s real-life stories and past experiences added so much value to the course and made the learning process genuinely enjoyable. I would highly recommend Solent Boat Training to anyone looking to gain confidence and skills on the water!
Tom Yaldren
09/09/2025
Bryan was an excellent tutor, he made everything easy to understand and also incredibly fun. Great knowledge of the subject and happy to answer any questions.
Adam Mckell
08/09/2025
Adam, Thank you for your review and we hope to see you again soon. SBT Team 09/09/2025
One of the best things I've done, Solent boat training were extremely professional and knowledgeable, with vast experience. We have learnt so much from a week on the Solent with Dom, my confidence has increased beyond my wildest dreams. Cant wait to get started with Day Skipper.
trina collins
06/09/2025
Trina, We are delighted that you enjoyed your time with us and with your instructor, Dom. Hopefully that new found confidence will set you up nicely for the next level. We look forward to seeing you for your Day Skipper Course in the near future. Best of Luck. SBT Team 09/09/2025
We had an absolute superb couple of days during our intermediate power boat course. We learnt lots of new nav techniques tonight by our very experienced course tutor Sean. Big thanks to all the SBT staff.
James Rochez-Maggs
03/09/2025
James, Thank you for your review and kind comments for your instructor. We hope to meet you again for future course you might to undertake with us. SBT Team 09/09/2025
Leaving a review after my second spot on experience with SBT. Sam made it a breeze to book, and we had Bryan for our instructor to complete my 13 year old's PB2. Bryan has a huge wealth of knowledge and experience, was very patient, had our learning styles nailed within the first hour, has a great sense of humour and kept it upbeat despite the bad weather in parts - we had blue skies and sun for some, torrential downpour in other, typical UK summer. He didn't bat an eyelid when I informed him at the beginning that my son is autistic either - I might as well have just said the sky is grey for all it bothered him. Bryan had him more engaged than I have ever seen him. I even got a voluntary hug out on the water. From a child that usually goes ram rod straight when physically touched!! Bryan, you are an absolute credit to the SBT team and it was a pleasure to have you as our instructor. Words cannot thank you for the experience you gave my terror - he even said his cheeks hurt from smiling and has probably spoken to me more in two days of training with you than in the whole month before that. You're wonderful. I've also had a day of own boat training with Sam on a Sealine S43. Again, extremely knowledgeable, down to Earth, patient, very easy to work with and can read you like a book with a non-judgmental approach in his teaching. Sam, you're absolutely tip top and certainly have an attention to detail that cannot be denied. Thank you for your patience with me and my nerves. We're both looking forward to more courses with the team.
Inked And Pricked
02/09/2025
Hi, We are hugely grateful for your review and encouraging words for our team, especially Bryan and Sam. It is always rewarding to us, as a Training Centre, to receive such positive feed back and to hear how the training delivered by our instructors, can have such a positive impact on our up and coming boaters. We hope that we will have the privilege to offer further training to your newly qualified, future skipper and that our team can continue to help him towards any future goals. Until we meet again, Happy & Safe Boating from the SBT Team. 09/09/2025
Good training for the money you pay. Great experience and learnt alot from it and got my PB2 qualification. Had Bryan as my instructor and he's amazing, really patient and has a good teaching style. 10/10 would recommend (11/10 if you have Bryan as an instructor). P.S. Bryan likes Mars bars ????
Logan Wallis
02/09/2025
Logan, Thank you for your review and we a glad you enjoyed your time with Bryan at Solent Boat Training. SBT Team P.S. Go Easy on the Mars Bars 09/09/2025
RYA 5 Day Skipper Practical. A really enjoyable 5 days training with a low student ratio, I had lots of time at the helm, the boat was a 37' Bavaria so great sailing and comfortable for the 5 nights onboard at the various marinas that we had sailed to. Our instructor " Magnus" is an excellent teacher, and most importantly a likeable chap that helped make the the course so good.
Barn Smith
01/09/2025
Hi Barn, Thanks for your review. We are delighted that you enjoyed your time with Magnus and we will pass on your kind words. SBT Team 09/09/2025
We had a wonderful time on the 2 day mile builder experience. I had recently completed the RYA competent crew course but with no other sailing experience, this 2 day experience was an excellent way for me to put the theory into practice. We sailed to the Isle of Wight and stayed overnight. The instructor (Matt) was knowledgeable and friendly, and he took the time to get to know what we all wanted to get out of the experience. As it was a small group (3 others) we all got the opportunity to develop our skills. A wonderful couple of days, I will definitely be back to build more miles!! Thank you Matt for a wonderful time!
Victoria Payne
27/08/2025
Victoria, Thank you for your welcome review and great pictures of your time with us at Solent Boat Training. We will pass on your thanks to Matt and look forward to seeing you again soon, for more time on the water. SBT Team 09/09/2025
Seven Day West Country Cruise 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.
Andrew Allan-Jones
26/08/2025
Andrew, Thank you very much for sharing your time and the full review, of your experience with Terry along the South Coast. We are lucky to have an Amazing Team of Instructors and Skippers and we're delighted that you got the opportunity to get as much out of your week as you could. Good luck with your future endeavors and we hope to meet you again soon. SBT Team 09/09/2025