Hi, I'm Bernie Jakits. After 20 years of owning and running a successful brokerage in Annapolis, my partner Kate Christensen and I have merged our company with David Walters Yachts. We are happy and excited to be a part of something bigger and continue to live our passion that started long ago. When I was an engineer in the aerospace industry I had lots of time to read every sailboat review and follow every development in the industry. I dreamed of one day owning a distinctly different brokerage firm and it all came true when in 1997 I started RogueWave Yacht Sales It came out of a passion for the sea and love for the beautiful vessels that sail on her. My vision was to create a new kind of brokerage dedicated to honesty and integrity and the desire to help people be successful and achieve their bluewater sailing vision. Kate Christensen joined me in 2001 to share that vision and bring her talents and expertise in business and marketing as well as her passion for sailing her Bristol Channel Cutter. Over 20 years, we built an incredible brokerage and consulting firm specializing in ocean-going vessels and live aboard cruising sailboats. We have advised and guided over 800 Clients worldwide from as far away as Hong Kong, Brazil, Australia, Europe, and everywhere between, so that they too can also achieve their dream of owning and cruising with a capable bluewater vessel to find and reach their own horizons. We have the experience and expertise required to really help people.
For over 45 years, I have sailed, delivered, and worked on hundreds of different types of vessels. Representing many clients, I have sailed in the North Sea to Med, across the Atlantic, and in the South China Sea and the Pacific, the Caribbean Islands, and also both Coasts of the USA. Having owned and maintained over 3 million dollars worth of sailing vessels, I have vast experience with incredible sailing vessels from the Hallberg Rassy 53 or a Valiant 40 & 42, a Norseman 447, a PSC34, and a BCC28. I've sailed to many foreign ports and also lived aboard while raising a family. Kate and I have had the opportunity to have incredible sailing adventures aboard our boats from the amazing Bristol Channel Cutter to the Hallberg Rassy 53 and finally our Valiant 42 that we built new in 2008 when we were Valiant Dealers in Annapolis. We have sailed far and lived aboard; we have led the Caribbean 1500 to the Bahamas. We have raced to Bermuda. We have delivered boats from the North Sea to the Med and from Guatemala to Annapolis and of course from the Caribbean to Annapolis many times. Through that experience, we can help cruising couples make the right decisions. I have decommissioned and shipped many vessels and put them back together again, for myself and also for our clients. I have upgraded each vessel we owned installing every system imaginable and maintaining every boat properly. I have taught and advised clients so that they themselves will have a pleasant and rewarding experience. Being a fellow boat owner and having personally experienced both sides of being a buyer and a seller, I understand your concerns.
With these many years of experience, I have come to know and appreciate what truly high-caliber blue water sailing yachts are and should be. As a licensed & bonded professional yacht broker, please give me the pleasure of helping you define your requirements and help choose your next passage-making/offshore capable sailing or power yacht. My experience is gained from having had a 100 Ton USCG Master License, being a Captain on several ocean races, having been a Marine Surveyor, and of course my background as an MSME Mechanical Engineer. And most important, I have sailed over 100,000 offshore miles, on my own boats and delivering countless boats for clients to about everywhere.
Now as the RogueWave Division of David Walters Yachts, Kate and I carry on the RogueWave traditions as Your Choice for Bluewater Boats! We continue to specialize in the bluewater boats we love; the vessels of quality, style, and substance. We are skilled in understanding the unique requirements of each individual to find them the right boat. Our mantra of Honesty, Integrity, Love for our Ocean, and Appreciation for the Beautiful Vessels that Sail on Her, remain the passions that we share with all of you. Sailing isn't a hobby to us, it's a lifestyle. And we remain your choice for bluewater boats.
We are very proud to be part of the unique and talented team of David Walters Yachts as the RogueWave Division in Annapolis MD the sailing capital of the world. Please feel to reach out to me, anytime, bernie@davidwaltersyachts.com. I'm always available 24/7 on my cell 443-742-1792.
Testimonials
Bernie is extremely knowledgeable and a real resource regarding the BCC I was interested in. He went out of his way to help me get the boat of my dreams. Very honest and hard working.
For over two years my daughter and I looked for a blue water boat in the $75k-$100K price range. As you can imagine, it's hard to find a decent vessel with such a low budget. We looked at dozens of boats on the west coast and one boat in Florida - put deposits on two (but backed out after surveys revealed extensive problems)
Finally, in November, we happened upon Eos which was being represented by your brokerage, (though well over our price range), however, somehow Bernie Jakits brought the sellers and us to an agreement and Eos is now ours. We are thrilled.
Bernie was obviously an old hand at brokerage and handling details - and coming from Seattle we really appreciated his driving us everywhere, finding us a hotel, taking us to dinner, and even driving us back to the airport! With Covid19 ramping up, we especially liked keeping contacts with others to a minimum.
In addition, Bernie hooked us up with marine surveyor Robert Noyce who was just a delight to work with and made us feel much more comfortable buying this custom yacht, plus yard worker George to reseal the keel and winterize the boat until we can come out next Spring.
I'd met with a lot of brokers during our travels and Bernie was just the best of the best. I am so glad we happened to get him!
Cheers,
Eric and Mattie Morris
SV Eos
We just wanted to give Bernie Jakits the kudos he deserves for selling our sailboat Eos, a custom FD-12. He was very up front with us on the difficulty of finding a buyer for a one-off, owner completed boat. Because of that difficulty we had her moved to Annapolis where he oversaw her haul-out and storage and maintenance.
He did, in fact, to our surprise find a buyer within 5 months of her arrival in Annapolis. The buyer is from Seattle and Bernie worked to make sure all things relative to the viewing and sale were arranged for and taken care of in spite of the difficulties in the current COVID environment.
We appreciate all that he did for us and will certainly recommend him and your company in the future.
Appreciative clients,
Sylvia and Bill Mueller
Bernie is the broker who sold us our Gozzard 37 and most recently, Bernie served as our delivery captain when we moved our sailboat from Deale, MD to Oriental, NC. Bernie is an exceptionally experienced professional mariner and sailor; he is knowledgeable in virtually every area of sailing from navigation to maintenance/repairs to sail trim and more. From the day we met Bernie, we felt that he was honest and fair. He has excellent customer service skills and genuinely cares about his clients. We could not have asked for a better delivery captain. We felt safe and confident with Bernie and also learned a tremendous amount during our 6 days together. We feel extremely fortunate to know Bernie and would recommend him to anyone considering a boat purchase or delivery. Thanks Bernie!
- Jeff
I wanted to recognize the outstanding service that Bernie Jakits provided (and still is providing). The term “service” doesn’t justify or explain how Bernie engages with us.
From the first moment we inquired about a listing, to the last drop of water off her hull for the seasonal haulout of our new boat, Bernie was there. Any question or concern, Bernie was there. Day or night, Bernie was there.
When the complex logistics of delivering our boat seemed to always change, Bernie adapted his schedule to meet ours. When the inevitable problems occurred no matter how big or small, Bernie gave us sound advice, and went to bat for us when we needed it.
His relentless energy and positive attitude is definitely contagoius. With Bernie, nothing can’t be overcome. Without him, we would have been lost in a process that I now know would swallow up many people looking to enter the sailing world.
Dear Bernie & Diane:
Many thanks to you for helping us locate & purchase our beautiful Hylas 44, formerly known as "First Edition". You both helped make sure the process was easy & right for us. We are very excited to enjoy our new adventures on the Chesapeake & beyond. If you see us & "Unfurled" on the Bay, give us a wave!
All the best,
Jim & Denise
Bernie: Thank You. You are incredibly good at what you do. This is very hard for me (Lynn). We took such good care of her. Hoping the new owners get he joy from her that she gave us. We are appreciative of the speedy sale where hopefully everyone feels thay got a fair deal. We certainly do. - Peter & Lynn
Bernie helped us clarify our needs, and found us a boat that meets them perfectly. He pre-screened the boat himself before we ever saw it, and he got it just right. We also relied on his advice at every step in the process as we completely trust his judgement and expertise. We couldn't be happier with our new boat. Thanks Bernie!
Bernie,
I am the one to be thanking you. You're a good man and have worked hard to make this happen. You've been very helpful and I couldn't have done it without you.
Bernie,
Ann and I wish to thank you for all your efforts, time and devotion that you put into selling our Bristol 51’ sailboat. As you know the first two sales fell through. However you stayed with us all the way with guidance and encouragement.
When we start looking for that next boat you will be the first call we make.
Thank you,
Jim and Ann Dugan
I chose Bernie Jakits and his support staff in Annapolis to represent me when I bought a Nordic Tug and then returned to Bernie again when life's surprises unexpectedly made me have to sell her a few years later.
If you are looking for a broker who does what he says he will do, does it honestly and fairly, immediately returns calls, has years of ocean/coastal/local and life experience your choice is Bernie Jakits because he backs up his words with action and results.
Bernie's support staff in Annapolis is a definite plus too. Diane Ilg manages all of the details, and with her comprehensive knowledge of brokerage operations nothing is left to chance.
Dear Bernie,
Thank you for helping us find our Nordic Tug "Mystic," and especially for mentoring us in support of our boating adventures after the sale. From the moment of our first conversation, we knew that we were in expert, capable hands. You listened to our “wish list” and “needs list” while adding valuable insight and advice. You took the time to understand how we planned to use our boat, and your enthusiasm and encouragement were invaluable. Bernie, you valued our time by not showing us boats that were out of our price range, and you vetted every boat you suggested, saving us time and heartbreak by steering us away from boats that would have been unsuitable.
Throughout the buying process, you negotiated on our behalf, arranged for an amazing surveyor, and scheduled a thorough sea trial in the dead of winter; all we had to do was show up. Every aspect of the sale was professionally handled, the process was stress-free, and your office staff was detailed and knowledgeable in preparing our documentation.
The biggest surprise for us though came after the sale when your extensive cruising experience was put to the test as you helped us deliver our boat from Connecticut to our home port in Maryland. You helped us provision, rig, navigate, dock, and completely enjoy our first voyage, graciously answering every question with patience and zeal.
Every day our boating journey gets better!
Thank you, Bernie, for starting us on the adventure of a lifetime.
When I was looking for a blue-water cruising sailboat, I saw a lot of boats and talked to a number of brokers. Bernie really stood out from the other yacht brokers I encountered. He's experienced, knowledgeable, straightforward, enjoyable to work with, and genuinely committed to his clients and the boats he sells. Several similar Valiants and competing boats were on the market when I was looking, but I bought Morning Stars through Bernie in large part because he is such an enthusiastic owner of a Valiant himself, and it was reassuring to buy a boat from someone who knows the boat intimately and who I had confidence would stick with me after the sale to help with upgrades and gaining experience with the boat. I wasn't wrong. After buying Morning Stars, he stayed in touch and made himself available to help me bring the boat up to its new home in Portland, Maine from Cape Cod. I also appreciated the back office support from the staff at David Walters Yachts. They are a great team to work with. Thank you!
I've had other deals with Bernie and count on his knowledge and honesty.
Bernie - There are no words to thank you for all you have done for us in acquiring Lone Star! Your willingness to help has been invaluable and we are greatful for it all! You are a wealth of knowledge and experience... thanks for sharing.
Here's to new adventures!
Gayle & Dan
"Dear Kate & Bernie - Thank you for showering us with gifts in honor of our wedding! Every boat needs a bosun's chair! We had a lovely month long honeymoon on Cadence. Thank you for helping us with her!"
Best - Marcie & Rob
"For the past several years my wife Laura and I have been searching for a ‘new-to-us’ family cruising sailboat. We wanted to upsize from our current Tartan 37 to a somewhat larger vessel that will safely and comfortably take us through the Caribbean, the South Pacific and points beyond. We are experienced blue-water sailors and had spent many days and thousands of driving miles looking at yachts along the east coast.
Last July we met Bernie Jakits at his office in Annapolis. Unlike every other yacht broker we have talked with Bernie started out by asking a lot of questions and listening to us very carefully. After several hours of discussion and a lot of time on Yachworld he strongly recommended a Norseman 447 laying in Seattle, WA and encouraged us to place a sight-unseen but highly contingent offer on the boat. We were highly skeptical of this approach but trusted Bernie’s judgment. Bernie walked us through the offer process and within a few days we were planning our trip to Seattle.
A week later Bernie joined us for three days in Seattle at his own expense. We spent the first day with Bernie aboard Maaji Re. Literally within the first few minutes Laura and I had decided to make the purchase. This Norseman 447 is truly a perfect boat for us and she is in almost new condition. Bernie then arranged to fly an outstanding marine surveyor in from Annapolis to survey the boat on our third day in Seattle. So the survey began late in the afternoon on the second day and continued on during the third day. We completed a successful sea-trial with the previous owners and a haul-out to complete the survey that Bernie had arranged.
Bernie treated us to dinner that evening where we worked out the final details for our purchase of Maaji Re. During the next week Bernie was a great help making arrangements for me to decommission the vessel for trucking back east.
Our experience with Bernie was outstanding and very enjoyable! While a bit unorthodox he went out of his way to listen to us and worked hard to find a boat that meets our needs and was within our budget. He made the entire process easy and went well beyond my expectations, even spending three days with us in Seattle. He continues to be very helpful with details and questions that we have."
"I've known Bernie and Kate for quite some time. They're both fun to work with and make buying a boat a fun experience. They know their stuff and most gratifying is that long after the sale they still help out with advice and any type of help needed."
"This was our first major boat purchase and it can be a daunting process to say the least. Bernie's industry experience and sailing knowledge gave us the confidence to navigate through the boat buying process with ease. He was there for us day and night to answer questions, and we felt like he made our interest his own. He worked relentlessly to find us exactly the boat we wanted and secured a great deal on it. We couldn't be happier with the outcome! David Walters Yachts also has a very knowledgeable and efficient staff. If you are considering purchasing a boat, look no further. Thanks Bernie!"
"Bernie Jakits is like no other person we’ve ever met. We explained what type boat we were interested in and our price range, that was about all we needed to do. He was like a blood hound on a search, and didn’t stop until he found it. Only took him a couple of weeks. Once we decided to buy the boat, DWY did everything necessary to complete the deal. Thank you for what you do."