At Designs & Signs, LLC, our shop in Edgewater, Maryland, crafts custom tugboat quarterboards that honor classic maritime tradition while standing up to tough conditions on the water. We recently completed a set of solid mahogany boat quarterboards for the Robert E. McAllister, operated by McAllister Towing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Commercial vessels need heavy-duty name boards that stay legible from long distances across open water.
Working tugboats need durable, high-visibility boards that resist saltwater, extreme weather, and daily harbor wear. At 10 feet long by 15 inches tall, these vessel nameplates combine real strength with the traditional beauty of gold leaf.
Crafting Tugboat Quarterboards with Mahogany and Gold Leaf
Commercial vessels need stable timber that won’t warp under constant moisture. Because premium mahogany stays flat and resists water naturally, we chose solid mahogany planks for these boards.
- Deep Carving: We carve each letter deep into the wood, so the name casts sharp shadows and reads clearly from far away.
- Marine Varnish: We seal the wood with TotalBoat Lust marine varnish, which protects it from moisture and sunlight.
- 23-Karat Gold Leaf: We gild the carved letters by hand with real 23-karat gold leaf, which shines in direct sun and will never fade or tarnish.
- Hand-Painted Outlines: A painted outline around every gilded letter makes the gold stand out sharply against the dark mahogany.
- Protective Clear Coat: Finally, we finish the boards with Awlcraft 3000 Clear. Unlike varnish, which needs attention every year, it only needs a light sanding and a fresh coat about every ten years.
Hand-Carved Boards for McAllister Towing
James McAllister founded McAllister Towing in 1864, and it has grown into one of the oldest and most respected fleets in the United States. Today, its tugs work major ports up and down the East Coast, and a sharp, professional look matters.
A busy working vessel like the Robert E. McAllister deserves first-rate signs. These 10-foot by 15-inch nameplates help the crew display their ship’s name with pride along the Delaware River.
Order Your Custom Tugboat Quarterboards
Designs & Signs, LLC specializes in premium tugboat quarterboards, yacht nameplates, and coastal home address signs. We build every board to match your size and style.
- Marine Woods: We build name boards from teak or mahogany.
- Genuine Gold Leaf: Our craftsmen gild every board with 23k gold leaf and hand-painted accents.
- Custom Finishes: We offer tailored sizing, classic fonts, and a high-gloss clear coat.
See more of our boards:
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.