Reedleyboating Reviews 

Completed the 2 day Helmsmans course with Roy this weekend.
The boat is very well kept and Roy is a very approachable trainer who has decades of experience on both inland waterways and at sea.
All course subjects felt unhurried and we had plenty of time to polish up on our new skills.
I would definitely recommend.

Roy is a brilliant tutor fountain of knowledge and experience, made our two day course really enjoyable and the time just flew by.
Content of the course excellent coverage was everything from the very basics right through to first use inspection and engine checks before moving, untying the boat and rooe works, right through to handling and the feel of the boat through the tiller. To much to mention to be honest very thoughtful in presentation and demonstrations and practice.
Would highly recommend to all either with absalotley no experience to experience level because Roy is fountain of knowledge.
Thank you Roy.

Roy the tutor put me at ease from the beginning as l was extremely nervous and had little confidence but he went through everything from pre- boat checks to giving me the helm and gentle encouragement throughout.
Day one l couldn't believe l was actually doing a lock but Roy guided me all the way and giving so many useful tips.
Day 2 l was learning to moor up correctly and using a Winding hole and going through bridges which l was so scared of.
I would highly recommend Reedley Boating as you are in safe expert hands

We thoroughly enjoyed our course with Roy. He's an excellent instructor, extremely patient, but also made it fun too. Would highly recommend.

Just completed a 2 day helmsman training course with Roy, at Reedley boating very professional training, excellent knowledge very friendly and helpful explaining all the safety checks of the boat from bow to stern,also taught me about rope knots and techniques how and where to use them,a really enjoyable experience, the course booking process was very easy and excellent value for money in my opinion,I would highly recommend this service to anyone interested

A great course that was very well delivered by Roy and Amy. Instruction was good (fantastic) and their level of knowledge is very high. They can easily adapt to any individuals experience or lack of it, a good starting point for anyone considering using the Inland waterways. Felt very relaxed throughout and have recommended them to others.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazing Helmsman Course – Confidence Completely Restored!
We completed our Helmsman Course over the last two days with Roy and Amy and honestly couldn't have asked for a better experience.
We hired a narrowboat back in February and unfortunately had quite a bad experience, which knocked my confidence so much that it nearly put me off boating altogether. But after these two days, that has completely changed.
Roy and Amy were absolutely fantastic. They were patient, knowledgeable and made us feel comfortable from the start. We learnt so much, but it never felt stressful — we laughed, had fun and really enjoyed every minute of it.
I've come away feeling so much more confident and, most importantly, they've made me fall in love with boating all over again. ❤️
I can't thank Roy and Amy enough. If you're nervous, inexperienced or simply want to improve your skills, I couldn't recommend this course highly enough.
Absolutely brilliant two days and worth every penny! 🚤❤️

Roy, the main instructor, was very knowledgeable and able to explain boating skills in a simple straight forward manner. He was extremely patient and ensured that each trainee had an opportunity to practice the skills taught. Roy's knowledge of the history of boating terminology and local history also made the course very interesting. Both my partner and I came away with many new skills and confidence to know we were able to handle the boat safely in most situations. Highly recommend for those new to boating.

Very highly recommended for anyone interested in canal boating skills and just a great couple of days on part of the Leeds Liverpool canal. As a visitor to the UK this was a unique experience. Right from my first email to the conclusion of the course Roy and our instructor Amy were very professional, friendly and very supportive of a total newbie to boating on canals. Amy is a wealth of knowledge, super capable and constantly supportive. It’s a great learning environment snd fun. Thanks Reedley, looking forward to the day I get an opportunity to use my new skills.

Brilliant 2 day course...
Relaxed atmosphere and Spot on tuition.
Never too old to learn new tricks
Money well spent - Great lunch box plus Never ending tea and &
coffee...
Thanks Roy and Amy

My husband and myself went on the Helmsman Course last weekend. We had a fantastic experience. From the moment we arrived at Reedley Marina we were given a warm welcome by our instructor Amy and her beautiful dog Freya. Amy is an amazing instructor who is very experienced and knowledgeable. She is very professional, organised and provided us with plenty of food and drinks. As soon as we met her we felt at ease and we learnt so much over the 2 days. She has given us the confidence to put all the new skills we have learnt into practice on our new boat (which we couldn't wait to take out onto the cut). If you are contemplating on doing this course - do it!!! We would highly recommend Amy.

I would award more stars if I could. My first visit to Reedley boating was in September 2025 for a taster session for four family members. Amy was fantastic and we all came with a new set of basic skills. In December I returned with two more family members, this time for the two day helmsman course, again Amy looked after us and we all came away with our RYA helmsman certificates. That weekend the weather threw everything at us and we still thoroughly enjoyed the experience. June 2026 it was time for our maiden voyage, it had to be Amy again for an own boat tuition day, just over 13 miles and 8 locks, another super day out on the cut and I am now looking forward to bringing me boat home very soon.

If I find need any help, I know where I will be going, Reedley Boating for sure.

If you are thinking of renting or buying a canal boat then I cannot recommend this course enough! I'm a boater here in Canada and I still learned so much, it made the rest of our vacation on the canal a breeze, from passing other boats and many bridges, didn't hit any! Everything I wanted to know was covered.

Roy is a extremely knowledgeable instructor, we 100% enjoyed the entire course

I don't usually write reviews, but after completing the two-day helmsman course with Roy, how could I not? What a fantastic couple of days. I went in with no hands-on experience at all and, to be honest, was pretty nervous but Roy quickly put me at ease. He's incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and explains everything clearly (with plenty of entertaining stories along the way). Over the two days, I learned a lot. From boat checks and steering, to working locks and mooring. I even turned the boat in a winding hole, went through a tunnel, and got a real feel for handling everything myself. Roy also shared some really useful advice about buying my own boat, which I really appreciated. It's actually taken me a couple of days to write this because I was trying to think of something that could be improved...and I'm still struggling! My only "complaint" (if you can call it that) is that I was hoping to meet Freya the dog, but she wasn't aboard this time. And while Roy did a great job arranging two days of sunshine, perhaps next time he could dial down the wind a notch...although it definitely added to the learning experience. All in all, a brilliant course. I highly recommend it to anyone thinking of giving it a go.

Amy is an outstanding instructor. Over the course of five hours, we immersed ourselves in continuous learning, boosted our confidence, and enjoyed ourselves immensely. I strongly suggest enrolling in one of Reedley Boating's courses, as they provide excellent value.

Just completed the 2 day helmsman course with Amy. Amy and Roy are an amazing team, friendly, reassuring and knowledgeable. Lots of laughter, loads of learning and an all round brilliant experience. Amy is a fantastic and patient teacher and also makes a top brew!

I completed my RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman Certificate with Reedley Boating and honestly can’t recommend Amy and Roy enough. From the moment I arrived on the Saturday morning, both were incredibly welcoming and put everyone at ease straight away. Our group had three learners, and the atmosphere was friendly, supportive, and really well organised.

Amy took us out of the marina and before long we were all confidently having a go on the tiller. We cruised down to some locks where Roy joined us, and his calm reassurance and depth of knowledge made the whole experience brilliant. I went through the lock with him on the stern and felt completely supported the entire time.

The two days were packed with learning - from handling the boat in open water to turning in a winding hole, reversing, and navigating a tunnel. We even had some challenging weather, and Amy’s professionalism shone through as she stepped in at just the right moments, always explaining clearly and keeping us safe while letting us learn.

By the end of the course I felt genuinely confident and very much a part of the Reedley family. I’m very happy to give them five stars because they absolutely deserve it. If you are considering helmsman training, I wouldn’t look anywhere else - Reedley Boating is outstanding.

Helmsmen course at Reedley boating. Fantastic instructors. Roy and Amy's advice and training was 5 star. Full inspection of the narrow boat inc engine , weed hatch and all safety features including the kettle 😉 We set sail and Amy instructed us every step of the journey with her great manner giving us our confidence to carry out manouvers safely over the two day course.
We were supplied with coffee and lunch on board . Amy also taught us boating tricks and rope techniques which left us feeling a great sense of achievment. Many thanks once again guys 👍
Roger Townsend

What a absolute stroke of good fortune bumping in to Amy from Reedley boating. She is so helpful and at no point did I feel like she try to sell me any of the services her business supplies. Unlike alot of encounters I have had with others in the boating sector.(she is obviously very passionate about boating and her work)

No questions I asked was I made to feel foolish for asking. Helping me with items that I had forgotten to bring on my launch and she explained everything that was going on. This was all prior to me knowing her profesion ,and ended up in me enlisting her professional help.
( that means alot these days).wish I could say the same regarding all my other encounters with business involved in boats.

I wasn't aware of alot of the things that she teaches even existed. So greatful in Amy offering me her services in driving my new boat back to my moorings from the launch. I think it was quite obvious I was going to struggle on my own.I will defiantly be using the services again when my boat is completed. Absolutely the best encounter i have had to date regarding helping me understand more about canals rivers and boats.

I was fortunate enough to have lessons with Roy, it was very safe and comfortable. I mastered the starting blocks of steering the narrowboat. We had a fun few hours.i booked him twice after that. He helped me with maintaining the boat and mooring. The Personal touch is amazing. Thank you so much. I really appreciate this service amazing!!! Start of my journey living on a narrowboat xx