Annapolis calls itself America’s Sailing Capital, and it’s hard to argue. The Chesapeake Bay sits right at the edge of town, the U.S. Naval Academy anchors the waterfront, and the harbor fills every October for the Annapolis Sailboat Show and Powerboat Show. It isn’t a hobby here so much as part of the local identity. A good name on the water is part of that too.
Boat Names and Quarterboards
A quarterboard is one of the classic ways to carry a vessel’s name. We carve it into wood and mount it on the hull. We shape each one by hand to match the boat it’s going on. No two hulls curve quite the same way. It’s traditional work, but it still has to fit a modern boat correctly.
Gold Leaf Boat Names
Gold leaf is another long-standing choice for lettering a transom, which we apply by hand. It catches the light in a way paint and vinyl can’t match. That’s part of why it’s stayed popular on classic and modern boats alike. We also use 22-karat gold leaf film for some pieces, depending on what the project calls for.
Life Rings
A life ring with a name on it serves two purposes at once: safety gear and decoration. We hand-letter them the same way we do transoms. We also mount plenty at home as a keepsake once the season winds down. It’s a small piece of the boat that stays close all year.
See the Work
Browse our carved quarterboards, gold leaf boat names, and custom life rings.
Our What We Do page shows everything we build. Getting your boat ready for the season? The quickest way to get started is to send us an email. We can also be reached at (410) 798-5115. You can also follow us on X.