Biblical boat boosts lifespan of a Parkinson’s sailor

It was the biblical boat from which Saint Peter fished and later preached with Jesus Christ, as depicted in the renowned painting by Herman Saftleven. Then the Saxons revived the design for fishing in the Thames Estuary and for river transport to carry pilgrims in London. They named it the Peterboat after their favourite saint.

Many of these sturdy and hard-working fishing boats remained in use throughout the 18th and early 19th centuries. Re-worked versions are still offered by master boat builders and highly prized by “Old Salt Yachties” who appreciate their heritage and handling capabilities. 

One such “yachty” is Jerry Morton Russell, who, having admired a visiting Peterboat in a sailing event at his home port of Walton on the Naze in North Essex, decided it could be the ideal craft to help dramatically extend his “trailer sailor” days. After a lifetime afloat, he was nearing 70, so a new boat would have to provide years of sailing adventure to justify the money spent. It needed to load easily onto his trailer and launch single-handed.

Ditch crawling muddy creeks

Before mid-August 2005, Jerry’s time on the water had been much curtailed; he had become “depressive, and suffered from sailing withdrawal symptoms.” There were self-induced bouts of depression as Jerry attempted to fulfil family requirements and, in a period of unsettled weather, find opportunities for longer sails with his wife, Hilary.

After a discussion, they decided to replace their existing boat with a trailerable two-berth cabin cruiser, which meant the couple could enjoy trips to the upper reaches of the Thames, as well as the River Orwell and other rivers on the Eastern seaboard. Also, there were the Norfolk Broads to explore. 

Such mixed territory would require a boat that their campervan could tow to a suitable launching site; a shallow draught for “ditch crawling” muddy creeks and anchorages, and a cabin for day shelter and overnighting. The Peterboat fitted the bill very well. Jerry wanted one badly.

“I found a sales list on the internet, and the first boat recently added was a Peterboat!” That might have been fate – or other forces at work – but Jerry contacted the owner for full details. He compared these with pictures he had taken of the visiting Peterboat at Walton Yacht Club, and his excitement at the prospect of changing boats increased. A viewing was required. It was becoming a Peterboat obsession.

Mad venture or rocking chair

The Peterboat was in Cardigan, Wales, a 700-mile round trip. However, the vendor warned Jerry that a rival buyer was viewing Calon y Mor (Heart of the Sea), that weekend. “I had to make a decision: do I accept fate and await news of the other party’s action – buying or not buying – or do I take fate into my own hands and travel to buy it before the other chap can get there? 

“Once again, I  entered philosophical realms, discussing the alternatives of acting as a young pensioner who might have 20 more years of active life, where the new boat would justify its purchase. Or, should I accept that I am nearing 70 and turn away from this mad venture, and bring out the rocking chair instead? 

“The die was cast. I arranged with the owner to view late the next day at his sailing club”, said Jerry. After a seven-hour drive, he pulled into the Teifi Sailing Club car park and had his first view of the Peterboat he had set his heart on.

She was a beautiful little ship

“I was swept along in admiration for what was a beautiful little ship. We finished off the purchase paperwork in the clubhouse, and I handed over the cheque. I was now the new owner of my very own Peterboat. I planned to rename her Peterkin, which originated in Anglo-Saxon times and featured in folk tales.”

Jerry and trailer-mounted Peterkin set off for his hometown, Frinton on Sea, Essex, at 6:30 am the next day. “I arrived home at 4:10 pm. My next-door neighbour, Barry Brandon, helped me get the trailer up the drive. It had been a long day, but there was the satisfaction of seeing my new acquisition safely on the premises.”

A leisurely survey of Peterkin produced a list of modifications and carefully planned trials from his sailing club, located in the Walton Backwaters —a protected area of tidal creeks, islands, mudflats, salt marshes, and marshy grasslands. 

Hilary at the helm

By Sunday, October 8, 2005, Jerry was ready to test launch from the club ramp and check the engine on the water.

He described this in his new ship’s log: “Soon there was a gentle purr as the engine ticked over happily. We cast off and could throttle down to a quiet cruising speed, moving along the Backwaters towards the River Stour. I tried turning in a tight circle and was happily surprised by how easily we spun round and headed back towards my mooring.

“I got my first chance to look at Peterkin on her mooring – very pleasing to the eye. The commodore and club members complimented me on my pretty new boat.”

Jerry’s following tasks included correcting the rigging and trying his new joy under sail. The next day, with his wife, Hilary, at the helm and a sailing mate, Bill Rose, on board, Jerry rigged the headsails and mizzen before turning off the engine. Bill took the helm to rush them down to Stone Point and round into Hamford Water.

Ghosted into a dazzling sun

Peterkin’s log records that the wind was stronger than when Jerry had set the sails. His ship’s log entry described the outing. “We endured occasional stormy gusts that pushed the gunwales under. With just a few tacks, we were squared away to Honeypot Island, and from there we managed to reach all the way to The Wade. Peterkin had handled well and promised more rewarding sailing and cruising.”

Thursday, 12 October, was to be “Escape from the Backwaters Day” as Brian and Jerry ventured out towards the North Sea. They put Peterkin through a series of manoeuvres in varying wind and tide conditions. “With sails sheeted in and keel fully down, we ghosted along into a dazzling sun with hardly the need to hold the tiller.

“I was able to leave Peterkin with a tremendous sense of satisfaction – plus anticipation.”

“Biblical boat” continues after IMAGE GALLERY

Friday, 13 October saw the Indian Summer continuing. “I cast off from the mooring for the time under sail and used the easterly breeze to reach Salt Creek, where I tacked down to Cormorant Creek. Peterkin behaved impeccably, even positioning herself beside the mooring perfectly.

“This summer was officially the warmest, longest on record. It was ideal for the work I had to do in the Spring and gave me the incentive to keep at it to the point of obsession.” Jerry decided he had managed enough sailing to justify the work (and cost). “It is a good boat that promises more rewarding sailing and cruising in future years.”

Amendments over the winter and spring made Peterkin’s cabin more suitable for two people for a planned week on the Norfolk Broads in the summer of 2006. The Broads visit allowed Peterkin to perform well under sail and, when the waterways became crowded, Jerry and Hilary used the engine to stay in orderly line with cruisers and dayboats. They slept on board and socialised with friends during their enjoyable 10-day boating holiday.

 Health was deteriorating

During October, there were more trials in the Backwaters and the open sea, during which Peterkin performed well and provided more essential familialisation for Jerry and Hilary. He was able to amend the list of modifications for the upcoming winter and spring.

Sailing Peterkin and working on the boat’s improvements elevated Jerry’s mood and provided a full-body workout at a time when his health was deteriorating. Handling sails, steering the boat and maintaining balance engage core muscles, helping to improve strength and boost flexibility. The physical demands of sailing can improve heart health, while being on the water is relaxing  – good for body and soul.

But a big problem for all Parkinson’s sufferers is that they could, without any prior warning, lose the ability to do anything useful on a boat. Jerry had become increasingly aware of this.

 Foredeck work too risky

“The summer of 2015 was not a happy time for me. The Parkinson’s, diagnosed three years before, had been mitigated by medication, but was now having a greater effect on my activities. I was aware that poor co-ordination and occasional unsteadiness and balance problems made foredeck work and handling bowsprit jibs aboard Peterkin too risky to be undertaken, even with a helpful crew to assist.

“I had a gloomy acceptance that my poor physical coordination and balance meant I would become a fair-weather sailor.  It would be irresponsible to go off on my own in any weather that might lead to a disaster requiring assistance from others,” he added.

Jerry planned to spend time over the winter making amendments to Peterkin’s cabin, but found he was suffering increased lethargy and lacked enthusiasm for boat care and sailing. He was convinced this was induced by his advancing Parkinson’s, which was having a greater effect on his sailing and other activities.

Life afloat kept him strong

After a lifetime afloat, a vital family decision was necessary. Peterkin had to go to a good home. Sailing friends from Sheringham, North Norfolk, bought the saintly boat, and other friends took the motor caravan. The new owners enjoyed regular overnight trips in Peterkin, sailing to Blakeney Point and among the saltings and creeks of local nature reserves. Perfect places for the historic Peterboat.

Hilary Russell revealed her husband, despite increased restrictions caused by his Parkinson’s, was able to travel to family events and short holidays. “Jerry was resigned to giving up his sailing. But we were convinced that his life afloat had helped in keeping him fit and strong and better able to keep the insidious Parkinson’s at bay for many years. He recovered from a fall and COVID-19, and in 2025, he was admitted to a care home.

Sunday 15 June 2025; Hilary informed family and friends: “Jerry sailed away on the tide at 3.03, very peacefully, with me by his side.”

Jeremy Morton Russell 1938-2025.

UPDATE

Jerry Russell, an active trailer sailor, lived for 13 years after his late-onset Parkinson’s diagnosis at the age of 74; Ozzy Osbourne, a hyperactive rock star, lived for six years after his Parkinson’s diagnosis at the age of 70. They died within 37 days of each other in the summer of 2025.

Yachting and sailing can offer significant physical and mental health benefits for people with Parkinson’s disease. This is especially true when considered as a form of physical and occupational therapy. Several organisations already integrate sailing into rehabilitation programs for people with disabilities, including those with Parkinson’s. SOURCE: Parkinson’s Europe.

Medical research has revealed that Parkinson’s disease is not fatal, as the condition itself does not cause death. However, some complications that can arise from Parkinson’s, including infections and falls, can be deadly. Treatments and lifestyle changes can help people manage their symptoms and reduce their risk of complications. Due to modern treatments and healthcare services, most people living with Parkinson’s disease now live as long, or almost as long, as those without the condition.

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