Custom boat quarterboards, made by hand
Every board starts with carefully chosen teak, picked for its grain and color. Mahogany boards are also available at a lower price point. We finish every board with 23 karat gold leaf, and a painted black outline adds contrast to the lettering. Of course, we offer other colors and metal leaf products too. Sometimes we even use palladium leaf!
Hand-carved detail you can see
The photo below shows some of the detail in our work. The tiny imperfections in the hand-carved surface are good for the overall look of these boards. In addition, the gold leaf shimmers as it reflects light from many different angles all at once.
A tradition of carved quarterboards
Carved wooden quarterboards are a traditional art form. For example, in the 1800s, wooden ships carried quarterboards that showed the vessel’s name, and the boards made ships easy to identify while underway. As a result, these signs became common in coastal communities, as collectors adorned their homes and businesses with them. Today, many people see these beautiful boards as a reminder of the sailors, ships, and fishing and shipping industries that shaped every maritime community.
Proud maritime sign making traditions
At Designs & Signs, we are proud to continue the timeless traditions of hand carving and gilding for all types of nautical signage. We hand-craft all quarterboards from hand-selected teak or mahogany.
Next, each board gets many coats of TotalBoat Lust marine varnish, a hand-painted outline in Sherwin-Williams paint, and 23 karat gold leaf. Then we protect the board with multiple coats of Awlcraft Clear 3000.
That finish lasts ten years before it needs to be sanded and recoated. When the time comes, please send us your boards, and we’ll take care of it between seasons.
This quarterboard displays a Greek word, and it looks great! Boat names are always unique, as they should be, and they carry personal value for the owner.
We made only one board for this vessel. In this case, the owner planned to install it on the transom of the boat. Often, we make two matching boards. However, many captains prefer to place one panel on each side of the ship.
See more of our quarterboards: Nantucket Quarterboards, Custom Carved Quarterboards, Palladium Leaf Quarterboards, Mahogany Boat Name Boards, and Personalized Life Rings.
Contact Designs & Signs
The quickest way to get started on your project is to send us an email.
We can also be reached by phone at (410) 798-5115.