[quote style=”1″] Ships are the nearest thing to dreams that hands have ever made. – Robert N. Rose[/quote]
Brain Matthews, driver for Kansas City-based carrier Riverside Transport (RTI), turns his dreams into reality. Surrounded by a sea of concrete, he uses his downtime to create one-of-a-kind boat replicas in the cab of his truck.
For the past seven years, Matthews, a 14-year veteran driver, has used the free time he has on the road to build a variety of boat models. “My relax time is [spent on] my hobby. I make the time for it,” says Matthews.
According to the RTI blog, the process can take months, but Matthews doesn’t feel anchored down by the task. He says putting in the time to make something of high-quality makes it worth it.
One of Matthews’ favorite models was inspired by the time he spent on the water in New Orleans. Matthews built a replica of the first boat he ever worked on: the Steamer Natchez or “The Pride of the Mississippi River.”
Image credit: New Orleans Steamboat Company
“Even though Matthews considers building model boats a hobby, he says people will pay $5,000-$10,000 for replica boats like the ones he constructs. Since he includes motors in some of his boats, he has also been able to sail a few of them with a remote control. Matthews says the fact that they are hand-built makes the boats that much more special to people,” the blog states.
Matthews encourages drivers to find a hobby they are passionate about and to work for a carrier that gives them enough free time to do what makes them happy. “My best advice is to have patience and time to do something and get into it.”
Matthews says he’s thankful RTI gives him time on the road to work on his hobby. “The best thing about having a hobby is that you don’t go crazy out here.”
SEE MORE OF BRIAN’S TUG BOAT PICS & SKETCHES
[quote style=”1″]“The truck driver is the lion of the highways, a conquistador sailing upriver in a warship.”― Bauvard, The Prince Of Plungers[/quote]