Viola is an exceptional and historic electric launch with impeccable provenance. She was designed and built by Taylor Bates of Chertsey and first came to my notice at the annual classic boat auction which used to be held, firstly by Phillips and then by Bonhams, in the boat tents adjacent to Leander during the Traditional Boat Rally (now the TTBF). A wealthy and discerning female collector who loved electric boats asked me to survey it and to bid on her behalf. She owned it for some years before I sold it to a neighbour of the Waterside Inn at Bray. He sold it to the current owner who is now looking for something smaller which will just accommodate him and his wife.

Viola is deceptively spacious and stable despite her beam. The underwater profile explains this phenomenon as does the patented tunnel hull design. She will in fact seat 10 along side benches or an additional seat back can be added to give face to face seating for four in the stern. The helm position is somewhat akin to that of an early electric car (or indeed any motor vehicle built in Edwardian times) being on a post which gives the skipper a feeling of being with the party rather than separated by a binnacle. She would make an excellent passenger boat for a traditional hotel on a lake or river as well as an exceptional private electric launch.

The cockpit is protected, or rather its passengers are, by a canvas canopy on a wooden frame. The flooring is of pine while the hull and decks are of varnished mahogany. The entire propulsion unit and batteries were replaced in 2025 as was the canopy. Both forward and aft decks have fitted covers. The internal cushions and seat backs are mint green while the canopy is a darker forest green Sunbrella.

To view afloat on the mid Thames by appointment please call the office on 01491 578870

The text below comes from the original auction catalogue:

Viola was built in about 1904 by Taylor and Bates of Bridge Wharf Chertsey of mahogany on oak frames to a unique Taylor's patent design No.11863. The boat has a neat rounded stern above the waterline while below it has a mainly flat bottom with a tunnel to the stern which cuts down wash and makes her not only extremely stable but also eminently suitable for electric propulsion. She is painted cream to the waterline and green below with a gold caveta line and polished oak rubbing strip with chrome edging. The elegant foredeck is of varnished laid planks alternating mahogany and oak planks fitted with burgee socket, chrome cleats, fairleads, stem and and Edwardian style navigation lamps. The large open cockpit is lined in sloping beaded mahogany planking. The seating offers two alternative arrangements with either seating around the sides or across the boat in a bench seat arrangement. The cushions are of moss green velvet with complementary scatter cushions. Two varnished mahogany picnic tables make provision for comfortable dining. Floorboards are polished oak throughout. Below the cockpit floor lies a 2.5 kw Best motor running on a 48 volt system drawing power from 16 traction batteries with on board charger and infinitely variable speed control. Viola is fitted with navigation lights and an automatic bilge pump. The aft deck is of laid planks to match the foredeck with chrome cleats and ensign socket. Weather protection is by means of a three quarter length canopy in green acrylic canvas with zip up sides and large window sections mounted on chrome stanchions with a supporting frame of polished mahogany. There are additional deck covers to protect the varnished wood fore and aft.