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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

386 Total Reviews
Firstly, if I could rate this higher than 5* I would! I completed my RYA Powerboat Level 2 last week with Alex at Solent Boat Training and I honestly couldn’t have asked for a better instructor. From the start it was clear that he knows his subject inside out and genuinely cares about teaching it properly, not just getting you through the syllabus. The classroom sessions were in depth and genuinely engaging. Alex went far beyond the basics, covering safety, navigation, collision regulations, weather, tides and real-life scenarios in a way that was easy to understand and remember. He didn’t just talk at us – he explained concepts clearly, used practical examples, and always checked that everyone was following before moving on. No question was too small and he was happy to revisit topics to make sure they really sank in. On the water, his instruction was absolutely professional at all times. Briefings were clear and structured, with a strong focus on safety while still keeping things calm and controlled. His coaching during slow-speed manoeuvres, close-quarters handling, berthing and man-overboard drills was precise and constructive, and his feedback was always specific so you knew exactly how to improve. You can tell he has a huge amount of real marine experience, and that confidence transfers straight to you at the helm. What really stood out, though, was Alex’s character. He’s fun, enthusiastic and has a great way of keeping the atmosphere relaxed and enjoyable without ever losing that professional edge. His passion for boating and the marine environment comes across constantly in the way he teaches, and it makes the whole course not just informative, but genuinely inspiring. I would highly recommend Solent Boat Training, and in particular Alex, to anyone considering their Powerboat Level 2. You’ll get thorough, in-depth training, a huge amount of practical knowledge, and a really enjoyable couple of days on the water. An easy five stars from me. Maz.
Murat Yuksel
09/12/2025
Completed my power boat level 2 with Alex. Fantastic instructor, very knowledgeable and a great energy! Thoroughly enjoyed the two days and looking forward to more courses.
Mark
05/12/2025
Amazing five days on the Solent completing my Day Skipper Practical with SBT. A great company with amazing instructor (Bella), learning how to sail and manage a boat in one of busiest tidal waters in the world. You will come away with a bucket load of confidence to skipper your own boat.. Top marks SBT.. I will be back ⛵ PS I also had a great crew ????
Mark Grant
05/12/2025
I completed the 5 day Competent Crew with Bella. Really great experience and I learned a lot. The instruction by Bella was excellent and I would recommend SBT to others
Tanya
05/12/2025
Did my competent crew here with Bella as the instructor. Had an amazing week and Bella was very helpful.
Harry Forster
05/12/2025
I completed the Powerboat Level 2 necessary for my work. The two days were incredibly well planned and taught. The instructor was incredibly experienced and knowledgable as well as very personable. By the time I completed the course, I felt incredibly confident and knowledgeable. I would confidently and wholeheartedly recommend them.
Tom Dignum
01/12/2025
Did the 2 day Solent Mile Builder and had a great time. Very useful in bringing my confidence up and making me feel ready to do the day skipper course Simon was brilliant, very clear, helpful and an asset as one of SBT trainers.
Shane Maclean
30/11/2025
Really good Day skipper course, nice instructors making u feel in a comfortable environment to complete the course. Had Bella Gillborn, excellent, funny and extremely capable. Alex was great too.
Rahid Thomas
30/11/2025
Just completed my Yachtmaster Offshore Power COC and PB Instructor course with SBT. Having worked through both the Power and Motor syllabus with them, as well as some Shorebased courses, over the last 3 years, I can honestly say that no other centre could come close. Sam, Kallan, Bryan, Sean and Rob are all excellent with their own unique styles and expert levels of competence, giving students a robust depth of knowledge and skills. The training boats are particularly well equipped and allow for skill-building in areas well beyond the syllabus, all of which help increase a boater's confidence, safety and enjoyment on the water.
Kieran Allmark
25/11/2025
I recently completed a mile builder weekend and a day skipper course with Bella, the instructor. She is incredibly skilled, empathetic, and always available to share her knowledge. I highly recommend her!
Andrea D'Amato
24/11/2025
Andrea, Thank you for your review, recommendation and encouraging words for your instructor Bella. We look forward to meeting you again in the near future. SBT Team 25/11/2025