35 Years of Family, Boats, and Memories: The Story of Skipton Boat Trips

Foreword by James Watson

When my grandparents, Alan and Judith Hughes, first purchased Skipton Boat Trips—then known as Pennine Boat Trips—it was a small operation with just one boat, Cobbydale, which was in need of some TLC. That was in 1990. Alan poured his heart into building the business, commissioning a new boat, Dalesman, in 1994. He dedicated the boat to his late father, Captain William Hughes, who had a long and respected career operating the Mersey Ferry.

When Alan retired, my uncle, Nick Osborn, took over the business in 2002. Nick and his son Alex—my cousin—ran the company until 2018. It was a proud moment when, in 2018, I moved to Skipton with my wife, Jen, and our two children to continue the family legacy. Now, with four generations involved in the business, I feel incredibly fortunate to carry forward the work that Alan began, especially seeing my kids around the boats and at the wharf, just as I was when I was younger.

Dalesman has certainly lived up to its legacy. In March 2021, the boat reached a remarkable milestone, having chugged its way along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal around Skipton, clocking up the equivalent of three and a half times the distance of circumnavigating the globe.

In February 2023, my sister, Sally, joined the company, further strengthening our family’s commitment to Skipton Boat Trips. Together with Jen, the team and I continue to build on the foundation laid by Alan and Jude, making sure the company remains a beloved part of the community.

We are incredibly proud to be celebrating 35 years of Skipton Boat Trips and are excited for what the future holds. Thank you for being a part of our journey.

— James Watson