Name
Jen Ballou
Seeking
Crew for a boat
Direction
SF to Hawaii

I grew up sailing the East Coast with my family — cruising, inshore, offshore, and everything in between on a Catalina 36 — and have spent over 40 days at sea (on purpose), my only regret is I wasn't sailing solo. Since moving to Hawai‘i, racing has become a full-blown obsession. I had no prior experience but knew it was in my blood, as my Dad and his family grew up racing in Marblehead. For the past 7 years, I’ve been racing inshore and offshore out of O‘ahu on boats like J/24 Flight, J/80 Haka, J/105 Zephyr, 1D35 Kalispera, Frers 40 Bondi Tram, F-25c Maluhia, Cal 40 Seafire and co-own a Prindle 19. I've worked on various boats in Honolulu. I’ve done multiple Lahaina and Kaua‘i Channel races, 3-Day Around O‘ahu, a zillion buoy and beercan races x2 weekly, and all the in between HYRA races throughout the year. I’m most experienced trimming jib and kite (especially on J-boats, the Farr, and the F-25), this season I've been learning pit and main on the Jboats, and I'm a meticulous kite packer — I take spinnakers as personally as some people take sourdough starters. My longest race so far in terms of consecutive hours on the water was Newport Beach to Ensenada on a Beneteau 47.7 (I was rail meat, but I leaned with conviction). I’m easy to live with offshore, eager to learn more, and excited for the chance to cross the Pacific. I'm adaptable, can flip between keeping conversations/vibes high and staying deeply focused on my trimming responsibilities. This year I've been told "That was some of the best trimming this boat has ever seen" - J80 Summer Circuit 2025

Outside of sailing -- I have been a professional graphic designer for the last 15 years and would love to design our team uniforms. I volunteer for Surfrider Foundation and Sierra Club in my free time and have served on Surfrider's Executive Committee for 3 years. And have over 10 years experience in commercial/film/brand production experience, making me a logistics loving person.

Currently I'm planning the Shore Welcome Party for my friends sailing on Macondo, please come say Hi if you're in Honolulu for Transpac 2025.

I am CPR/First Aid/Lifeguard Certified. Planning to take Safety at Sea Course.

 

My Skills
Spin Trim
Grinder
Cook
Rail Meat
Gender
Female
Approximate Age
30s
Experience
Some coastal or offshore with overnights
Contact Me
978.578.62OO