In the Florida Keys we use our boats on a daily basis. With all the use there are really 2 factors that put wear and tear on a boat in this environment and they might not be what you think. The 2 factors are

1. The Sun

2. Salt

We are fortunate to live and work in a place that is sunny almost every day and warm. With that comes intense UV rays that can be damaging to EVERYTHING. We cover our bodies because it becomes really obvious that we must to simply survive. Walk around with no sunscreen and exposed skin for 2 hours and you will be sunburned. Solution…cover up with sunscreen or clothing or seek the shade.

Our boats are the same. Nothing fades gel coat, damages upholstery, damages plastic and ages a vessel more than the sun and the salt. We can prolong the life of a boat by being diligent to wash the salt off with soap and freshwater and treat the metal parts with a protectant. The best thing we can do for the sun is to keep the boat out of the sun or cover it when not in use.

Our boats are all Mercury powered Yellowfins. We have a 17 foot skiff, a 24 foot Bayboat, a 26 foot Hybrid and a 36 foot offshore boat. Depending on the season, we may fish out of one of these boats much more than the others. When the boat is sitting, I want to keep it covered and out of the sun.

I looked for a cover from many manufacturers and decided to go with one from Empire for our 24 foot bay boat. The process was easy. I picked the cover and it was delivered very quickly. I was assured that if it didn’t fit I could return it.

The fit was great and the quality of the cover was above expectations. I felt really good about the purchase and would recommend it to others. Apparently I am not alone because there are over 100,000 reviews on their website that are overwhelmingly positive.

If you are looking for a cover for your boat, RV, patio furniture, grill or anything else, Empire has you covered…literally.