It looks like Canaltime has changed its name to Canal Boat Club.
The 13-year-old claret-and-blue of the traditional Canaltime colour scheme could possibly soon be gone, replaced by something akin to the ugly garish bright blue used by the British Waterways workboats for ten years.
That ugly 'garish' is not a criticism. Bright, gay, 'ugly' primary colours were always characteristic of the old working boats, and few boats are working harder now (at least during British Summer Time) than Canaltime.
Canaltime is a timeshare operation, not a shared ownership scheme. Part of the appeal is that you don't own a share in the boat, you own the right to use one of 150+ boats from a wide variety of locations around the Midlands. Another appeal for me is you don't have annual meetings and sticky compromises about where to base the boat during the coming year or what weeks you are entitled to use the boat.
The first and most frequent question most Canaltime customers are going to ask about Canal Boat Club is, "Why the name change - what's happening?"
You won't find the answer to this on the FAQ page - neither the old Canaltime FAQ page nor the new Canal Boat Club FAQ page, although their contents are similar.
The old Canaltime website seems to focus on Sawley Marina near Nottingham, and Sawley is missing from the new CBC marina list. Perhaps the business has been split up?
I mentioned here how I started 'Canaltime-spotting' ten years ago, although my hobby didn't last long. There are, after all, only about 150 boats. But the hobby could get a new lease of life along with the new livery.
Canaltimers have a reputation (unfairly, I think) of speeding and of being erratic steerers, prone to collisions.
So it was unfortunate for me that when I first spotted a Canaltime boat in the new CBC livery at Alvechurch a couple of weeks ago (Marjorie Nott, No.51), I was quite so distracted that I ran - BANG! - into the nose of a nearby Alvechurch hire boat sticking out into the canal.
No fault of theirs - it was mea culpa entirely and there was plenty of room and time for me to miss the other boats.
The chap at the wharf was quite nice and polite about it and not at all annoyed. And fortunately I didn't see any outward sign of damage, although I photographed it just to be on the safe side (immediately after I'd photographed Marjorie Nott in her new livery).
Perhaps he sensed that after 11 years of single-handed boating and still unable to avoid a collision, I had the makings of a good Canal Boat Club customer!
[Updated to correct the Canaltime FAQ link - thanks, Halfie!]
Perhaps I can answer the original question, albeit a little late. The Canaltime fleet was in two different ownerships and in 2008 ABC Leisure Group took over the management of one of the fleets, the other half remained with the original management. As part of that agreement the fleet under ABC management would change name to differentiate it. ABC have been busy refurbishing and replacing boats as the funds become available. As one of the largest operators on the canal system ABC are also able to offer the members a wide choice of locations without paying any exchange fees. I hope this answers the question.
Edward
Posted by: Edward | Monday, 14 January 2013 at 08:10 AM
Hiya,
Wondered if you could advise?
We are thinking of buying a timeshare week with Canal Boat Club.
Googled it and up you came.
Many thanks
Suzie & Robbie
Posted by: suzie conroy | Thursday, 23 February 2012 at 03:24 PM
Sam,
Actually, in the wake of the Ownerships worries it is actually quite a big deal. I spoke to CBC's boss Edward Helps yesterday, and learned a fair bit more, which I hope to write about shortly.
Posted by: Andrew Denny | Tuesday, 27 April 2010 at 08:46 AM
I don't think this is much to shout about.
Their boats have been in various liveries for a while.. Tillerman being a big one and also another canal holiday name.. but canaltime are still about too!
I think it's all the bad press and after going on one of their boats for a holiday, I can see why!
Posted by: Sam - JC | Monday, 26 April 2010 at 11:46 PM
Are you aware that the "C" in canaltime is silent when spoken ?? !!!!! Perhaps thats why they have changed the name ??
Posted by: Alf | Saturday, 24 April 2010 at 10:47 AM
Oh no, sorry about the 'Captcha', Halfie, it's snuck back on without my permission. Curse my blog provider!
Sent from my iPhone
Posted by: Andrew Denny | Friday, 23 April 2010 at 03:35 PM
Ooh, what's this? "Captcha" verification? After all you've written about the needlessness of it?
Posted by: Halfie | Friday, 23 April 2010 at 02:26 PM
Andrew, your links to the two FAQ pages are the same.
Posted by: Halfie | Friday, 23 April 2010 at 02:24 PM