Chieftain Training Reviews 341

TrustScore 5 out of 5

4.9

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Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Evaluating 96 reviews, reviewers overwhelmingly had a great experience with this company. Customers consistently praise the staff for their extensive experience, knowledge, and ability to make learning enjoyable and engaging. The courses are described as highly useful, practical, and well-paced, with many appreciating the hands-on approach and clear instructions. People found the overall service excellent, highlighting the supportive and professional environment that fosters confidence and skill development. However, some customers mentioned that instructors occasionally strayed off-topic with anecdotes, and felt that some end-of-day activities were irrelevant, leading to extended course times.

What people talk about most

Staff

Reviewers highlight positive aspects of staff, consistently praising instructors for their enthusiasm,... See more

User experience

Consumers find the user experience to be positive, with many reviewers praising the well-paced, fun, and... See more

Instructions

Users describe positive interactions with instructions, consistently praising the instructors as... See more

Product

Customers had positive experiences with the product, describing courses as practical, fun, and good... See more

Service

Clients share positive opinions on service, with many reviewers highly recommending the company for its great... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I attended the RYA First Aid course yesterday. The facilities are very good with plenty of parking. Our trainer (Alan) was very experienced with plenty of real life examples to enhance the material.... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Hi Chieftain Team, A really big thank you for an excellent Powerboat Level 1 course for my two children and my wife, despite the shocking weather (raining all day) they had a fantastic tim... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

A useful course for a new boat owner like myself. I would highly recommend booking both the RYA and Diesel Level 2 days together as you go into more detail with extra hands on experience than you will... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I did the RYA Sea Survival and then the second day as well. The pool session is tough but rewarding and worthwhile - if nothing else it teaches you that you never want to be in a liferaft. Great instr... See more


Company details

  1. Training Centre
  2. Boat Rental Service
  3. Boating Instructor
  4. Sailing School
  5. Training School
  6. Yacht Club

Written by the company

STCW & RYA Marine Training Centre based in Hamble, Southampton, Greenwich and Helensburgh. The company delivers a wide range of Sea Survival, First Aid, GMDSS, engineering, navigation, maritime security and powerboat courses for super-yacht, workboat and leisure boating crew and masters. Sailing and powerboat students will find we offer the widest range of shorebased, marine radio, yacht maintenance, engineering, first aid at sea and navigation courses of any RYA Training Centre. The centres are equipped with first class resources and training aids for GMDSS, marine engineering and survival training.


Contact info

4.9

Excellent

TrustScore 5 out of 5

341 reviews

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Keelboat (and SRC) review

Having zero experience, but a long held interest in Keelboat sailing, I came across Chieftain/SWAC whilst searching for companies that could equp me with 'grounded' sailing competence upon which to build.

Pursuing levels 1,2&3; the team were were extremely warm, professional and supportive.

The equipment on which we trained was well maintained; adding to a sense of comfort and surety.

They taught the lessons in a way which enabled me to grasp the key skill sets and had an approachable manner which allowed a feel of demonstrative participation.

I learned not just sailing aspects in the tiller main and gib sheets, but also putting up and taking down sails, reefing whilst afloat, man overboard procedures, anchoring and so much more.

Huge Thanks to Kai, the Instructor, Alex John, Scott, Doug, and the wider team.

(Also a small shout out of thanks to Pete for his tutoring on my SRC qualification also undertaken with Chieftain.

I would highly recommend this company for these, and the other great courses they offer.

16 April 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Chieftain Training

Thanks Colin, we all had a great time working with you, hire rot see you backl for Day Skipper shorebased next

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Excellent!

Great tutor, good facilities. Also the admin support was very helpful.

12 April 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Chieftain Training

Thank you for your review!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Top Knotch!

Adam was my instructor for Yachtmaster Offshore Sail to Power conversion. Writing as an RYA Cruising Instructor (sail) myself who has taken numerous RYA courses in the last 20 yrs; I am happy to report that Adam was the best instructor I have had the pleasure to work with in any discipline.

Patient and professional, with an uncanny knack of conveying even the most complicated of concepts in a simple, accessible manner. Adam and Doug (Chieftain’s principal) go the extra mile; it is clear that they are both truly invested in the development and success of their students. A credit to the industry.

3 April 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Chieftain Training

Thanks Ben. Well done to you for a solid pass of the Yachtmaster Exam

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Alex was amazing!

Alex was amazing! Very patient, informative, and clear with all instructions!

29 March 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Chieftain Training

Thanks F, glad you enjoyed the Powerboat Level 2 Course

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

STCW PST course

Really knowledgeable, engaging instructor. Course felt well-paced. Good facilities. Only slight downside is the travel between classroom and pool sessions, but the two locations are closer together than for some other available courses.

21 March 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Chieftain Training

Thank for the review Amanda. The journey to the survival pool rarely takes more than 15 minutes each way . There are closer pools to our Hamble centre but the one we use is purpose built for survival training and gives you a far better course than the alternatives.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

RYA first aid course was expertly…

RYA first aid course was expertly delivered by Joe, everything was discussed and well presented, definitely be back

23 March 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Chieftain Training

Thank for the feedback BC and good to see you at the centre, by my count that is your 6th First Aid course with our team over the last couple of decades.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great instructor

Great instructor, delivered with confidence stemming from professional experience

12 March 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Chieftain Training

Thanks Neil, glad you enjoyed the RYA Short Range Certificate (SRC) Course with Matt and Doug.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

5 out of 5 !

Challenging, enjoyable and technically interesting. And all questions were answered with experience and knowledge.

12 March 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Chieftain Training

Thanks Henry, glad you enjoyed your training course

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Nigel has done an excellent job in ocean theory

Nigel has done an excellent job in balancing real life experience with keeping a focus on working through all the material.
I really enjoyed it.

11 March 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Chieftain Training

Thanks Dirk, glad you enjoyed the RYA Yachtamsre Ocean Shorebased Course

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Recently completed an RYA Sea Survival…

Recently completed an RYA Sea Survival Course; thoroughly enjoyed the day. It was made fun, interesting, and interactive. The instructor was great; will be using Chieftain for my future training needs.

7 March 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Chieftain Training

Thank Neil, we look forward to seeing you again.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12V Electrics - V Good - V Hands On

Carl led my 12 Electrics course. He is a highly knowledgable and enthusiastic instructor able to work with people of different skills, experience and learning styles.

He adapted the material to ensure that each participant had the ability to work on and understand any 'projects' they were considering - whether Solar, primary circuits, automatic bilge pumps with indicators and overrides or just circuit design and fault finding.

Course covered use of tools (strippers, crimpers, ferrules), Techniques (soldering to extend wires and protect them properly) and use of test/measuring equipment.

All of the materials were provided - the test rigs for fault finding were excellent.

Thoroughly Recommended.

7 March 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Chieftain Training

Thanks Phil, glad you enjoyed our 12 Volt Marine Electrics course. Carl is indeed a great Instructor

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great two days for absolute beginner

Great two days on the water, as an absolute beginner I was quickly driving the boat, had lots of hands on driving time, learned loads of things I will need in the future and feel confident that I can get on the water safely in the future

3 March 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Chieftain Training

Thanks Mike, glad you enjoyed your Powerboat Level 2 Course at our Southampton Centre

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Top level training provider


My second course at Chieftain and both have been professionally conducted, great content & delivery in a format that was easy to absorb. Alan was able to remain personable & demonstrated a high level of knowledge in both subject areas 🏆

25 January 2026
Unprompted review

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