Solent Charters - www.solentboatcharters.co.uk

Excellent day if you haven't done please do you won't regret it and the instructor is excellent.

I have had the great pleasure of 3 training courses with the team last year and found it to be the best service of any training course in the industry by a huge margin. everything from the exptional quality of the boats to the fabulous solent loaction was expetional. I will certainly be continuing with Solent charters to cater for my enjoment of boating.

Rib Hire - A fantastic fleet of Ribs to choose from and multiple locations (Southampton and Lymington)

Gin Palaces - Not being an expert at all on these however their immaculate Fairline Phantom and Sealine look about as tempting as it gets!

Many thanks the team I look forward to staying a loyal customer

Damien

Solent Boat Charters, gave Janie Means & her hen party the best day out ever! We were having great difficulty getting something booked & they could not have been more helpful or accommodating.

Nothing was too much trouble & we were impressed at how immaculate the boat was when we boarded it. Our Skipper& his assistant crew were lovely & made sure we all felt safe, but able to have fun.

The buffet we had ordered was fantastic & plentiful, great for soaking up the drinks!

All in all we had a day to remember( they even laid on glorious weather!) And we plan to do a reunion trip next year.

I attended the PB2 course on 4-5th October. My expectations were to go from never really driving a boat to being confident in safely going out with and being able to handle a friend's boat. I believed that speed was not going to feature in this course and it isn't, it's not a couple of days blasting about. This course is about slow control, safe speed control, mooring, anchoring, man overboard rescuing, everything I was thinking and hoping it would be... However, it wasn't just a classroom exercise and short practical repetition. I have never been on a course that mixes the teaching of the vital skills with so much practical application. Within an hour we were heading to the sea, prepare to board, leave the dock, into the Solent, find some buoys, reverse, then reverse figure of eight, then forward figure of eight, then off we went all around the Solent mixing theory on board with practical application, both slow and at speed. Topped off by free accommodation onboard a luxury Motor Yacht - the one n the Website picture... The next day it was stepped up another gear, plan your route, off we went, mix it up again with all the skills and more, even a refuel was required!

A great couple of days with a great, patient and confidence inspiring teacher. Highly recommended and too be quite honest, I'd happily do it all again, so much fun!

Over the summer, my wife and i took a PBT2 course via Solent Charters and then went onto hire a rib for a few more days over the summer. The course itself was fun, with as much on the water time as you could ask for. The instructor was kind, considerate and a jolly nice felllow as well. It was easy to learn with a teacher like that.

After that, the Solent team were very flexible and helpful, adapting to our plans where required and making sure that we knew what to do when and how to get the most out of the charter. We will very much use the team again when we want more fun on the water.

I did the Powerboat Level 2 course and I had a really enjoyable time. Everything was clearly explained and demonstrated, the instructor was thorough and patient all while keeping it fun. I learnt a lot and would definitely recommend it, either for fun or to help with your career.

1st trip was with Matthew and Peter. It was a birthday present for my Partner Steve..we took 10 guests. Matthew made it very easy..route was up to me but he was very helpful with suggestions. From the moment we met Matthew & Peter we were made to feel like this was our boat and nothing was too much trouble. Having thought I would be kept busy looking after our guests..I was told by Peter to enjoy the day and HE would take care of everything..and that he did..he was an expert at looking after all of us..topping up the glasses and displaying our canapés..afternoon tea etc..I have never felt so relaxed whilst entertaining. What an absolute star Peter is.

Everyone was totally surprised by how relaxed the day was and how well they were looked after..how much did we enjoy it?? Well without exception they all asked me to book it again...we did..10 days later! Two perfect days on board 'Dolphin" with two excellent crews in perfect weather conditions and at a very affordable price..already planning the next one!

For the 2nd trip we required a flexible time...4pm-9pm..it was no problem..even the price adjusted as it was a bit shorter..we didn't expect that.

'Dolphin' was in excellent condition..like new. 2nd trip boat 'Moonlight' had a tech problem..but no problem..no issue made.. we were just upgraded to the bigger boat.."Dolphin" again..perfect!

1 negative..not Solent Charters fault..but there was a cost made by the 'Folly"Pub to pick people up from pontoon to pub..50yards at £2.50 per person (£25) to have lunch! I didn't know of the charge & didn't have any cash..paid for by one of my guests, bit embarrassed about that. Having paid for 10 for lunch didn't think they should charge! Won't book the pub again.

We WILL book with Solent Boat Charters again AND book our Day Skipper course with them.

We were very comfortable on Jaynie, and to our surprise loved the responsiveness of a tiller. The boat was spotless when we took it, with a fridge which did break down after 4 days but that was possibly a fuse. It would have been helpful to have it pointed out that there is no oven although this could have been spotted from the specification list. The hob needed explaining as it is paraffin. Also there were only two small pans so luckily I was able to buy a metal casserole dish from the Chandler so that I could do breakfast and hot dinners. Otherwise that would have been a problem but i guess many sailors eat out.

We were all comfortable, actually cosy, and loved the way she handled and sailed. Lovely little mover. Would definitely book her again.

Christine, David, Emma and Claire

I hired Moonlight for a 40th birthday celebration in July 2013. The whole day was fantastic - beautiful boat, great skipper, who basically left it completely up to us to decide where we went and what we did, and the glorious weather was obviously a huge bonus. Started the day with pastries and prosecco (perfect!) followed by a cruise along the Beaulieu River. Had a lovely lunch at The Folly Inn, followed by a swim at Osborne Bay. The day was perfectly rounded off by cruising alongside the Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria as they departed Southampton. All my friends are still talking about what an amazing day they had and want to do it all over again. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect day. The only niggle I have is that my card was automatically debited after the trip for drinks, without sending me an invoice for approval - not good. Other than that I would recommend this company without hesitation.

A brilliant well managed day, the team provided a great environment in which to relax and take in the splendour of Cowes,the boat was excellent as was were the cold beers and champagne! we will book again