Annapolis calls itself America’s Sailing Capital, and it’s hard to argue. The Chesapeake Bay sits right at the edge of town, and the U.S. Naval Academy anchors the waterfront. In addition, the harbor fills every October for the sailboat and powerboat shows. Here, boating isn’t so much a hobby as part of the local identity. Naturally, a good name on the water is part of that too.
Boating in Annapolis and on the Bay
Our shop in Edgewater, Maryland sits a few minutes from the Annapolis waterfront. As a result, most of our marine work is for local boaters, from weekend sailors to owners of large yachts. For example, we letter every new Fleming yacht at Burr Yacht Sales in Edgewater, like Beba. We also work on sailboats, such as Relentless and Sirius.
Boat Names, Gold Leaf, and Quarterboards
First, we design the name around your boat and the look you want. Then we letter the transom by hand in gold leaf, or we use durable gold leaf film when the boat calls for it. Gold catches the light in a way paint and vinyl can’t match, so it stays popular on classic and modern boats alike. Many owners also add a matching pair of quarterboards. We carve each one by hand in teak or mahogany, since no two hulls curve quite the same way.
Life Rings and Burgees
A life ring with a name on it serves two purposes at once: safety gear and decoration. So we letter them to match your transom, and we can even add your club burgee, as we did for Gale Ann. Plenty of our customers also hang one at home as a keepsake once the season winds down. Learn more on our life preserver page.
Signs for the Boating Community
Beyond the boats themselves, we make signs for the places boaters gather. For instance, we built a marina entrance sign for Cadle Creek Yacht Basin and a rustic sign for Londontowne Marina. Likewise, we made a nautical entrance sign for the community beach at Hillsmere Shores.
See the Work
- Gold leaf boat name for Bessy
- Gold leaf boat name for Golden Light
- Quarterboards for Belle Aurore
- Tugboat quarterboards
- Engine-turned gold leaf rings for Whisper
- Cadle Creek Yacht Basin entrance sign
Browse our carved quarterboards, gold leaf boat names, and custom life rings. Our What We Do page shows everything we build.
Contact Designs & Signs
Getting your boat ready for the season? Send us a message through our contact form, or call (410) 798-5115.