I share in your frustrations. I’ve been watching this for the same amount of time and actually bought a new computer for it in Jan of 2017. In their last update they stated that they are going to release uboat to closed beta in June to Kickstarter supporters and then a month later to everyone in an open beta. Believe me I’m hoping to get this soon but also I hope it meets my expectations and the longer it goes the higher my expectations become. I think I’m setting up myself for disappointment but it is what it is at this point.
Here is their latest update
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects.../posts/2163312