Sailing Life on Jupiter

In the vast constellation of sailing YouTube, few channels capture the raw, industrial grit of boat ownership like Sailing Life on Jupiter. Led by Jamie, an Australian pilot, and Princess, a former lounge singer from the Philippines, the channel has evolved from a simple travelogue into a masterclass in the "necessary evils" of maintaining a high-performance aluminum catamaran. As of May 2026, the crew is based in Puerto Peñasco, Mexico, where they are deep in the trenches of a comprehensive refit of their 48-foot Mumby catamaran, Jupiter².

Their story is one of radical career shifts and geographical leaps. Jamie met Princess in China in 2018, and by early 2019, they were exploring the complex waters of Southeast Asia. Since then, they have logged thousands of miles across the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, completed the Great American Loop, and transitioned through a period of "Life on Wheels" across the United States. Now, they have returned to the water with a single-minded focus: preparing their rugged aluminum home for an epic voyage from California to Spain.

Key Takeaways

• Channel Vibe: Technical, transparent, and resilient. A focus on the DIY reality of living on an aluminum performance boat.
• The Boat: Jupiter², a Mumby Cyber 48 aluminum catamaran known for its strength and blue-water capability.
• The Mission: Completing a massive electrical and structural refit in Mexico before a planned 2027 Atlantic crossing to Europe.

⚓ Quick Specs & Channel Vitals

Meet the Crew and the Vessel

The Sailors: Jamie & Princess

Jamie brings an aviator’s discipline to the helm of Jupiter². His background as a professional pilot ensures that every system check and passage plan is executed with meticulous detail. Princess, whose charisma once filled lounge stages across Asia, has transitioned into a skilled sailor and the creative force behind the channel's storytelling. Together, they represent the ultimate modern cruising partnership: one that balances the high-pressure world of professional work with the liberating, often chaotic reality of off-grid living. Source: sailinglifeonjupiter.com

The Boat: Jupiter² (Mumby 48)

Jupiter² is a Mumby Cyber 48, a design by Australian Tim Mumby that has become a cult classic among performance-minded cruisers. Built in the Philippines in 2015, the vessel is constructed entirely of aluminum, offering a level of structural integrity and impact resistance that GRP boats simply cannot match. However, aluminum brings its own challenges, specifically regarding electrolytic corrosion and paint adhesion. In early 2026, Jamie and Princess documented the grueling process of addressing these issues, alongside a massive electrical overhaul to convert the boat’s primary grid from 220V to 120V to better accommodate North American infrastructure. Source: Sailing Life on Jupiter Episode "After All This Work… Would We Still Choose Aluminum?"

Voyages, Destinations, and the Great Loop

A Global Circumference

The crew's logbook is a testament to the boat's versatility. After departing the Philippines, they navigated the intricate island chains of Indonesia and Malaysia before tackling the Indian Ocean. A major highlight was their time in Cape Town, South Africa, where they weathered the 2020 lockdowns—a period that Jamie identifies as the catalyst for their YouTube channel. From there, they crossed the South Atlantic to Brazil, pushed through the Caribbean, and completed the Great American Loop, taking an offshore catamaran through the inland waterways of the United States. Source: YouTube - Episode "Everything We've Done to Our Aluminum Boat"

Navigating Puerto Peñasco (2026)

Currently, the "voyage" is stationary. Based in Puerto Peñasco, at the northern tip of the Sea of Cortez, the crew is utilizing the local boatyards to perform the heavy lifting of their refit. The desert environment provides the dry conditions necessary for extensive paint work and aluminum preparation, though the heat adds its own layer of difficulty to the build. This phase is a strategic pause, ensuring that every wire and weld is perfected before they head south toward the Panama Canal. Source: Sailing Life on Jupiter Episode 376

Life Aboard: Techniques, Gear, and Challenges

The Electrical Revolution

The 2025-2026 content cycle has focused heavily on electrical engineering. Jamie has been documenting the installation of a Victron MultiPlus inverter and the complexities of re-wiring a boat that was originally built for the Asian and European 220V markets. This technical deep dive—including the discovery of burnt wiring and heat-damaged terminals—serves as a cautionary and educational tale for anyone considering an international boat purchase. They also utilize BougeRV anti-shading solar panels, a critical upgrade for maintaining power in the intense Mexican sun. Source: Sailing Life on Jupiter Episode "Was Changing Our Boat from 220V to 120V a Huge Mistake?"

Learning from Jupiter: The Aluminum Reality

What can a viewer learn from Sailing Life on Jupiter? It is the reality of aluminum welding and hull maintenance. Jamie provides an honest look at the failures, such as a welding project on the rudder that didn't go to plan, and the risky logistics of retrieving a stuck halyard at the masthead. The channel demystifies the "invincible" aura of aluminum boats, showing that while they are incredibly tough, they require a specific set of skills and a constant vigilance against the elements. Source: Sailing Life on Jupiter Episode "WELDING ALUMINUM RUDDER - WHAT WENT WRONG?"

The YouTube Journey and Financing the Dream

Funding a world-class catamaran refit requires a diversified income stream. Jamie continues to work as a professional pilot, often transitioning between the boat in Mexico and flight decks around the world to ensure the "boat fund" remains healthy. This is supplemented by a loyal Patreon crew (their "PRIME" crew) who receive early access and no-ad versions of their videos. Their transparency about the financial and emotional toll of the refit has created a community of supporters who are as invested in the boat's survival as the crew themselves. Source: sailinglifeonjupiter.com/support

Top Episodes: Where to Start Watching

• Was Changing Our Boat from 220V to 120V a Huge Mistake?: A technical deep dive into the realities of global electrical standards.
• After All This Work… Would We Still Choose Aluminum?: A candid reflection on hull materials and the long-term maintenance of metal boats.
• Burnt Electrical Wiring - NOT GOOD: A high-stakes look at the dangers hidden within a boat's systems.

Channels Similar to Sailing Life on Jupiter

• Sailing Uma: For those who appreciate the technical focus on electric conversion and aluminum hull maintenance.
• Sampson Boat Co (Tally Ho): Ideal for viewers who enjoy long-form, expert-level construction and restoration narratives.
• Sailing Zatara: For fans of high-latitude catamaran expeditions and the logistics of global cruising.

Frequently Asked Questions about Sailing Life on Jupiter

What kind of boat is Jupiter²?
Jupiter² is a Mumby Cyber 48, a high-performance aluminum cruising catamaran designed for blue-water expeditions.

Where are Jamie and Princess currently located?
As of May 2026, they are based in Puerto Peñasco, Mexico, completing a major refit before their next ocean passage.

Is the boat 120V or 220V?
The boat was originally 220V, but the crew recently completed a massive conversion to a 120V system to better suit North American shore power standards.

How do they afford to sail?
The journey is funded by Jamie’s work as a professional pilot, Patreon support, and YouTube ad revenue.