Employee Spotlight – Mike Julian

At Waypoints Yacht Charters, we’re excited to kick off the 2025 Annapolis sailing season with a range of new vessels and new adventures awaiting our charter guests. Today, we’re spotlighting one of the key people making those adventures happen: Mike Julian, our Annapolis Base Dock Manager. 

Read on for his insights on why the Chesapeake Bay offers one of the country’s most rewarding sailing experiences and what makes spring the perfect time to plan your Annapolis charter.

Can you share a bit about your background and how you came to join Waypoints Yacht Charters? 

My passion for boating started early in life, as I grew up with an aunt and uncle who lived on the water and owned both sailboats and powerboats. Those early experiences inspired me to pursue a career doing something I truly love.

As a professional, my journey in the marine industry began in Annapolis, where I started my own electric boat charter business. After gaining experience renting boats to clients, I was ready to expand to larger vessels, which led me to join Atlantic Cruising Yachts about six years ago.  

I’ve grown within the company, progressing from dockhand to technician and now to managing the fleet at our Annapolis charter location.

What makes the Chesapeake Bay such a special sailing destination? 

The Chesapeake Bay offers a sailing experience that sets it apart from ocean destinations. Of course there are pros and cons to each, but it is hard to beat the Chesapeake.

While island destinations primarily involve anchoring, the Chesapeake provides a variety of ports to explore, including St. Michaels, Edgewater, Rock Hall, Baltimore, and downtown Annapolis. 

Our clients can plan their itineraries to include marina stops throughout their charter, allowing them to dock for the evening, connect to shore power, and explore these historic towns. St. Michaels, on the eastern shore, remains our most popular destination. 

The Chesapeake Bay itself is excellent for sailing, offering visitors a chance to experience everything from diverse weather conditions to Maryland’s famous blue crabs, oysters, shrimps, and all that good eating.

We’re particularly excited about the new catamarans joining our Annapolis fleet. Can you tell us more about these additions? 

Our fleet offers a comprehensive range of vessels to suit every sailor’s needs. We maintain a diverse selection of catamarans, ranging from 40 feet to 51 feet, including various Fountaine Pajot models in 40, 42, 45, 47, and 51-foot sizes. 

Alongside our catamarans, we also offer Dufour yachts and an extensive selection of monohulls, ensuring we can accommodate groups of any size and preference.

With the Annapolis season opening April 1st, what makes spring the ideal time to sail the Chesapeake? 

Spring offers the best sailing conditions on the Chesapeake Bay, particularly during April, May, and June. 

These months provide stronger, more consistent winds that create ideal sailing conditions. After a long winter indoors, our clients are eager to get out on the water, and spring’s conditions perfectly accommodate that enthusiasm. 

Our season runs from April 1st through October 31st, providing ample opportunities for memorable sailing experiences.

What does a typical day look like for you managing the Annapolis base? 

Each morning begins with preparing for incoming charters, which includes thorough boat preparation and final checks to ensure everything is perfect for our clients. 

When customers arrive, we handle the necessary paperwork and conduct comprehensive boat orientations that typically take between one and two hours, covering all systems and rigging. 

We take extra care to help our clients navigate the initial departure, personally guiding them through the harbor’s tight spaces. 

Throughout the day, we’re busy with maintenance tasks and preparing boats for upcoming charters. 

When clients return, we conduct detailed post-charter inspections. 

We also manage ongoing maintenance for boat owners, including bottom painting, gel coat work, and various upgrades to keep the fleet in prime condition.

What does it mean to you to give people the opportunity to spend time on the water?

While we’re fortunate to work on the water every day, we never lose sight of how special these experiences are for our clients. 

For many, this is their vacation of the year – their “Disneyland” moment. We take great pride in maintaining our boats to the highest standards, and it’s incredibly rewarding to receive compliments about their condition, both in terms of how well-maintained they are but also with how they look. 

Seeing the joy on our clients’ faces, especially knowing this might be their only time on the water all year, makes our work particularly meaningful. 

Do you have any memorable experiences from your time on the water? 

One of my favorite memories is from when I was a teenager. We would sail out into the bay for all-you-can-eat crab feasts before sailing back home. Once you discover your passion for sailing, it becomes a part of who you are. 

Plan Your Chesapeake Bay Adventure

As the 2025 Annapolis season approaches, now is the perfect time to secure your charter and experience the delights of spring sailing on the Chesapeake Bay. 

The Chesapeake Bay offers endless possibilities for exploration, from historic waterfront towns to secluded anchorages. With our base conveniently located in the heart of Annapolis, you’ll have immediate access to some of the best cruising grounds on the East Coast.With bookings already coming in for the upcoming season, don’t wait to secure your preferred dates and vessel. Contact our Waypoints Yacht Charter Specialists today to begin planning your 2025 Chesapeake Bay adventure.