Chieftain Training Reviews 327

TrustScore 5 out of 5

4.9

While we don't verify specific claims because reviewers' opinions are their own, we may label reviews as "Verified" when we can confirm a business interaction took place. Read more

To protect platform integrity, every review on our platform—verified or not—is screened by our 24/7 automated software. This technology is designed to identify and remove content that breaches our guidelines, including reviews that are not based on a genuine experience. We recognise we may not catch everything, and you can flag anything you think we may have missed. Read more

Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Looking at 86 reviews, reviewers overwhelmingly had a great experience with this company. Customers consistently praise the staff for their expertise, patience, and engaging teaching styles, making the learning process enjoyable and effective. People frequently highlight the excellent user experience, noting that the courses are well-structured, practical, and delivered in a relaxed atmosphere. The service provided is often described as top-notch, with many consumers appreciating the clear instructions and the hands-on approach to learning. Reviewers are particularly impressed with the quality of the courses and the valuable knowledge gained, which instills confidence in their abilities.

What people talk about most

Staff

Customers consistently note positive experiences with staff, highlighting their skill, experience, and... See more

User experience

People report positive experiences with the user experience. Customers found the courses well-paced, fun,... See more

Instructions

Consumers find instructions to be positive. Reviewers consistently praise the instructors for being... See more

Product

Reviewers highlight positive aspects of the product. Customers found the courses, such as the 12 Volt... See more

Service

Reviewers mention positive feedback about service. Customers highly recommend the company for their courses,... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

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

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

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

Carl our instructor has a broad range of experience within the yachting industry as well as being a a very experienced marine electrician. The 2 days are packed with challenges getting your head a... See more


Company details

  1. Training Centre
  2. Boat Hire 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

327 reviews

5-star
4-star
3-star
2-star
1-star

Hasn’t replied to negative reviews

How this company uses Trustpilot

See how their reviews and ratings are sourced, scored, and moderated.

Companies on Trustpilot aren't allowed to offer incentives or pay to hide reviews. Reviews are the opinions of individual users and not of Trustpilot. Read more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great training and instructors

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 instructors - skilled, experienced and personable.

17 April 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Outstanding

Excellent. Very experienced and knowledgeable staff. Great Teaching environment and facilities. The course itself was up to date, relevant, well presented, well instructed and provided more than enough information.

17 April 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Excellent training centre

Excellent, experienced trainer in a great, modern facility...

17 April 2026
Unprompted review
Chieftain Training logo

Reply from Chieftain Training

Thanks Peter, glad you enjoyed your 2 days Survival Training

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
Chieftain Training logo

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
Chieftain Training logo

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
Chieftain Training logo

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
Chieftain Training logo

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
Chieftain Training logo

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
Chieftain Training logo

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
Chieftain Training logo

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
Chieftain Training logo

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
Chieftain Training logo

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
Chieftain Training logo

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
Chieftain Training logo

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
Chieftain Training logo

Reply from Chieftain Training

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

The Trustpilot Experience

Anyone can write a Trustpilot review. People who write reviews have ownership to edit or delete them at any time, and they’ll be displayed as long as an account is active.

Companies can ask for reviews via automatic invitations. Labeled Verified, they’re about genuine experiences.

Learn more about other kinds of reviews.

We use dedicated people and clever technology to safeguard our platform. Find out how we combat fake reviews.

Learn about Trustpilot’s review process.

Here are 8 tips for writing great reviews.

Verification can help ensure real people are writing the reviews you read on Trustpilot.

Offering incentives for reviews or asking for them selectively can bias the TrustScore, which goes against our guidelines.

Take a closer look