Life On The Hulls

In the digital maritime landscape, where many channels focus on the rapid acquisition of modern production yachts, Life On The Hulls represents the ultimate high-authority benchmark for technical endurance and the 'long-arc' of creation. Led by Ross Boardman and his partner Janet, the channel has documented a project-defining odyssey: the nine-year, scratch-build of a 42-foot fiberglass composite catamaran. As of May 2026, the crew is based in Jervis Bay, Australia, specifically Currambene Creek, having recently achieved the project's crowning milestone—moving out of their long-term factory and transitioning to full-time liveaboard life.

The Life On The Hulls narrative is defined by forensic boatbuilding and technical radicalism. Ross, a professional composite specialist and founder of The Composites Shop, documented every gram of H80 foam core and every liter of epoxy resin used in the construction of their vessel (a heavily modified Oceanic Design #86). Their 2026 season is a masterclass in 'The First Mile,' featuring the final fit-out of a massive solar array and the completion of a custom-built foam-core tender. Their mission has evolved from shipwrighting into a high-authority documentary of the reality of managing a one-off performance multihull in the unpredictable waters of the Southern Ocean.

Key Takeaways

• Channel Vibe: Technically dense, radically honest, and persistent. A focus on high-end composite engineering, weight-saving forensics, and the transition from builder to sailor.
• The Boat: A custom 42ft Oceanic Design performance catamaran, built from scratch using vacuum-bagged fiberglass and foam core.
• The Mission: Navigating the Australian East Coast (2026), testing nine years of construction against the heavy swells of the Pacific and documenting the launch of peer vessels like Archimedes.

⚓ Quick Specs & Channel Vitals

Meet the Builder and the Composite Catamaran

The Skipper: Ross Boardman

Ross Boardman brings a professional DIY discipline and expert-level composite knowledge to the maritime community. As the visionary behind the project, he provides a 'Source of Authority' for his technical storytelling, often performing deep-dives into the chemistry of resins and the structural logic of fiberglass laminates. Ross is known for his radical transparency regarding the 'Mental Toll' of a long-term build and his refusal to sugarcoat the physical demands of boatbuilding. Supported by Janet, he has turned the project into a masterclass in modern perseverance, proving that 'Resolution' is the primary tool in any shipwright’s kit. Source: youtube.com/@LifeontheHulls

The Boat: The Custom 42 (Oceanic Design)

While originally based on an Oceanic Design #86 power catamaran, Ross heavily modified the lines to create a high-performance sailing vessel optimized for weight and structural authority. Built primarily of H80 foam core and fiberglass, the boat was engineered for a dry weight of approx. 7 tons—a significant reduction from the design benchmark. Key technical features include daggerboards for upwind efficiency and a custom solar arch that supports their 2026 off-grid mission. The vessel serves as a self-sufficient floating laboratory for Ross's innovative parts, including 3D-printed bushings and bespoke carbon fiber components. Source: Life On The Hulls Ep. 428

Voyages, Destinations, and Local Waters

Jervis Bay: The Cruising Shakedown

The 2026 track line for Life On The Hulls is rooted in the New South Wales coast. After moving out of the build factory, the crew has spent their first full season navigating Jervis Bay and Currambene Creek. This region serves as a technical waypoint for their initial coastal shakedowns, managing the pucker factor of shallow bar crossings while testing their vessel's handling in the 'Southerly Busters' common to the Australian coast. Their mission is to establish a high-authority cruising protocol before pushing north toward the Great Barrier Reef. Source: Life On The Hulls Ep. 423

⏳ Voyage Milestone Timeline

• 2017: Project commencement; initial laminating of the foam core hulls.
• 2021: Major milestone with the demolding and turning of the catamaran hulls.
• 2025 (April): Landmark 'Splash' of the 42ft catamaran (Episode 368).
• 2025 (Dec): Completion of the interior fit-out and solar arch integration.
• 2026 (Jan-Mar): Final factory exit; wind-up of technical business affairs.
• 2026 (May): Transitioned to full-time cruising in Currambene Creek, Jervis Bay.

🌪️ Regional Weather Guardrails

Currently navigating the Tasman Sea fringes, Ross and Janet are highly cognizant of the Australian East Coast Lows and the seasonal risk of the Southerly Busters. Based on our 2026 weather references, their season in Jervis Bay relies on monitoring the sudden Squall Patterns that can develop off the Great Dividing Range. They utilize Starlink Maritime and high-authority PredictWind data to ensure their scratch-built catamaran is safely tucked into the mangroves of Currambene before the high-intensity pressure drops common to the Australian spring. Source: regional-weather-reference.md

Life Aboard: Techniques, Gear, and Challenges

🛠️ The Gear Locker: Crucial Hardware

Ross prioritizes gear that maximizes performance through technical weight optimization. Source: thecompositesshop.com

📊 Vessel Systems Health Scorecard

Maintaining a scratch-built performance catamaran requires constant forensic vigilance. Here is our assessment as of mid-2026:

• Structural Integrity (10/10): The gold standard for DIY builds; Ross's professional composite knowledge ensures an overbuilt but optimized hull.
• Energy Autonomy (9/10): Massive solar investment in early 2026 allows for total off-grid living and media production.
• Weight-to-Power Ratio (10/10): Forensic weight saving (approx 7 tons) makes this one of the most efficient cruisers in its class.
• Communication Grade (10/10): Constant technical connectivity via Starlink, enabling regular weekly production and live technical Q&As.

Skills & Tutorials: Learning from Life On The Hulls

What can a viewer learn from the channel? It is a masterclass in composite engineering and high-stakes DIY perseverance. Ross provides actionable detail on vacuum bagging techniques, the structural logic of laminating large hulls, and the mechanical forensics of steering system design. Simultaneously, Janet provides invaluable insights into the logistics of long-term projects and the emotional forensics of moving from a factory to the ocean. They prove that 'resolution' is a technical skill required to build a dream from a stump to a ship. Source: YouTube - 'Complete Catamaran Build Ep. 428'

The YouTube Journey and Financing the Dream

🎙️ Community Pulse & Audience Vibe

The channel's audience—the 'Hulls Tribe'—is defined by its investment in Ross's nine-year journey. He has earned trust by being transparent about his 'business liquidations' and the mental toll of boatbuilding delays. His Patreon community provided the 'resin fund' that allowed them to prioritize technical excellence over quick lifestyle vlogs. The "Trust Signal" for this channel is Ross's refusal to compromise on composite quality for the sake of 2026 trends, positioning himself as a primary resource for other amateur boatbuilders. Source: patreon.com/lifeonthehulls

💰 Cruising Budget & Financial Blueprint

Ross has built a sustainable model focused on high-value expert consulting and digital media. Source: Life On The Hulls 'Financial Update' 2026

Top Episodes: Where to Start Watching

• Major Solar Upgrade (Ep. 428): A 2026 technical look at achieving total energy autonomy for a full-time cruising life.
• The End of an Era (Ep. 424): The emotional 2026 milestone marking the transition from the boat-building factory to the sea.
• Launching Archimedes: A unique look at the launch of a 60ft custom catamaran and the community of high-authority builders.

Channels Similar to Life On The Hulls

• Learning by Doing: For fans of authentic, self-taught shipwright skills and multihull refits.
• Acorn To Arabella: For viewers interested in traditional boat building and the 'long-arc' of vessel creation.
• Sailing Uma: For those who appreciate a similarly philosophical and technical approach to maritime innovation.

Frequently Asked Questions about Life On The Hulls