R Rudy shared one of his many passions for building model sailing ships. Liesje supported her father by showing us pictures of his ships as Rudy described the intricate detail and hinted at the effort.
When Rudy was very young and with no money, coming home from the beach he saw the plans / kit to build a model square rigger sail boat. He couldn't afford it but the image and idea stayed with him.
Later, in a garage, there was a poster of a sailing ship. Rudy ordered the plans and his ship building days began. He began while down south to build his first boat at a scale of 1:50. He did everything by hand, and fashioned parts from pieces found and repurposed. The boat had 140 pulleys, and about 550 parts. He built all the parts you can see. A challenge were plans were to the Amsterdam inch (it is about 3/4 size of inch we use). He had to bend pieces of wood, using steam, spending whole evenings on one piece.
Rudy has patience.
Too big to display in home, so he has a 'hobby room' for the ships.
One ship he built is the De Zeven Province. This ship is in lots of pictures that have been painted. One of the stern lights actually works on this model. Lots of details in the ornamentation on these ships. Work on the rigging is tedious. The port holes open and there are cannons that Rudy made inside. The material for the cannons Rudy got a flea markets and then fashioned his cannons from the material. He has made a tiny pulley that works.
Rudy purchased a book that specialized in the details of these ships. This book cost a 'bundle'.
One of the model boats Rudy made is a model of sail boat he owned and lived in for a year in Caribbean. The year spent south was to avoid paying duty on the boat.
Rudy is good with his hands, and can put his skills and talents to any challenge.
Growing up and living above garage, he developed great work ethic and learned to use his hands. He was always in the garage. His father was stingy and not a happy man. Rudy worked hard and never looked back. He admits he may have overdid the hours.
He also paints and showed a portrait he painted years ago.
Rudy loves manual work and keeping active. He rides a bicycle, hangs from his feet upside down to help his back and he has worn out a massage chair he has.