Gondola Speeder The Gondola Speeder , also known simply as a water speeder , was a handcrafted transport speeder used as a lake barge on the planet Naboo . Piloted by Paddy Accu , the speeder was utilized by Senator Padmé Amidala to reach her family lake retreat , Varykino . Characteristics . The Gondola Speeder was one of the elegant vessels used in the Lake Country , and exemplified the balance between aesthetic and environment the Naboo sought in the exploitation of their planet ' s natural resources . While other lakeside communities and traders used slow - moving , paddle - wheel barges or airspeeders , the craftsmen working near Varykino hand - crafted the Gondola Speeder as a variant of the larger lake barges . This was a smaller , uncomplicated vessel that afforded its passengers a relaxed journey . An environmentally friendly craft , the homegrown Gondola Speeder was slim , practical , and compact . The single front seat accommodated the vessel ' s pilot , who steered via a navigation wheel , and three seats allowed for three adult passengers behind , although this space was usually reserved for luggage . With only a pilot aboard , the Gondola Speeder could achieve a maximum flight ceiling of two meters , allowing its use in all but the stormiest of weather . Although it typically hovered above the water , the speeder also functioned as a watercraft . In this mode , its top speed of a little over one hundred kilometers per hour was curtailed . The vessel kept engine baffling components to a minimum , resulting in a craft that was not altogether quiet , but was not too noisy to prevent conversation among its passengers . The vessel ' s sleek hull was not armored , although if holed the pilot could raise it out of the water to prevent sinking . Floats could be deployed in an emergency , and the pilot had access to a communicator on the control panel , collapsible paddles , and emergency flares under the rear passenger seat . The craft ' s engine was located fore of the pilot , while the downthrusters protruded from the vessel ' s curved stern . History . Paddy Accu , the caretaker of Varykino , piloted boats and speeders for the Naberrie family , and on numerous occasions transported the young Padmé Naberrie to the lake retreat aboard his Gondola Speeder . Ten years later , Padmé returned , in the company of Anakin Skywalker , and again experienced a ride aboard Accu ' s watercraft . The mischevious caretaker initially worried the pair by dropping the speeder into the water before kicking in the accelerator , letting the vessel bounce across the waves . The expert driver kept the vessel from tipping as he crested the waves , and ultimately delivered the pair to the island dock where Accu tied up the speeder . In 19 BBY , Ferus Olin and Solace reached Varykino aboard a gondola speeder , finding Ryoo Thule murdered by Imperial Inquisitor Malorum . Their foe fled in his gondola , but was pursued by Olin , who used the Force to leap onto the speeder . The pair fought , while Olin ' s allies approached in other gondolas , though Malorum used a rocket launcher to destroy the pursuing vessels . An IPV - 1 System Patrol Craft arrived to attack the remaining gondolas , and spirited Malorum away from the skirmish . Behind the scenes . The Gondola Speeder was created for , although the vessel appears in only one shot of the finished film .