b'Voltaire - an electric motor punt LOA 25ft. Beam 4ft. Draft 12ins. Designed by Robert Dean. Built in 1988by Henwood & Dean Boatbuilders.Mahogany sides and plywood bottom onto Teak frames. Mahogany deck and fit-out. In 1988 the electric boat revival was in its infancy on the Thames and for a newcomer to this form of propulsion the silence was a revelation. The idea behind Voltaire was to build a luxurious Thames punt that we could use to introduce customers to the beauty of electric power.Thames punts are wonderfully subtle boats, a combination of angles and curves that are very easy on the eye. You sit down in a punt not on it, the thick long cushions are really comfortable, and the proximity to the water gives an impression of speed even though the little 700watt pod motor will only push you along at a brisk walking pace. Voltaire is completely silent and you can creep up to within a few feet of a kingfisher - an experience unknown to many in motor boats. The battery pack is hidden under the aft deck and will keep Voltaire going all day - modern technology automatically recharges the pack when you moor up and plug in the power.84'