Will Below Deck's Jen Howell Return to Yachting After Her First Charter Season?

Kate Chastain's third stew on Below Deck this season may not have joined the crew with a lot of experience, but what she lacks in know-how she's made up for with a fervent passion for boats and no-holds-barred attitude. All of which have gotten Season 5's Jennifer Howell into trouble more than once on and off the boat, including with her boss. But to show there's nothing but laughs between the two of them, Kate invited Jen to join her to recap Tuesday night's episode on her podcast, After Deck with Kate Chastain. Life on a yacht has been something Jen has dreamed about for a long time, but her time on Valor hasn't been all champagne wishes and friendship bracelets.  Jen told Kate about how she struggled on Valor but took away many learned lessons in the process. The discussion led to a fan question for Jen from Twitter which has been on many fans' minds as the season draws to a close: "Would you ever be a stewardess again, and did the reality live up to your dream?"

"Yes, I absolutely would be a stewardess again," Jen answered to perhaps the surprise of many fans. "I love challenging myself and learning new things." 

Jen admitted the reality of working on a boat didn't exactly live up to her dream deferred, but that next time would be about managing those expectations. "I think that I just need to change my perspective a little bit, have less expectations, and then I think it can live up to my expectations." 

Kate admitted that yachting rarely lives up to people's expectations and boat life is rarely what yachties anticipate. "I think the first yacht job is hard," Kate explained to Jen. "The second year is great because it's still kind of new but you know what you're doing. And then it goes back to downhill." According to Kate, yachties just continue to chase that same "second-year dragon" in hopes of recapturing that "magic." Kate compared it to the phase of a relationship that is no longer the beginning but things still feel new. 

"It's the first break-up sex," Jen added.

Kate confirmed, "Yeah, that's exactly what it is!"

Hear the rest of Kate and Jen's conversation, including a wild game of "Never Have I Ever," by listening to the full episode above. 

New episodes of Bravo’s After Deck with Kate Chastain are available Tuesday nights after episodes of Below Deck. Listen, like and subscribe to Bravo TV’s After Deck with Kate Chastain on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher and anywhere else you enjoy your favorite podcasts. Don’t forget to vote each week on a Yachtie and a Dinghy of the Week by tweeting @AfterDeckTweets and follow @AfterDeckInsta for news about upcoming episodes of After Deck.