Thanks to the team at Skater Powerboats in Douglas, Mich., the Cleveland Construction Offshore Racing Team‘s 388 Skater is going to be sporting a new look for the 2018 season. According to a press release from the team, that’s not the only thing that’s new this year.

The Cleveland Construction 388 Skater is off to Florida for rigging following its makeover at the Skater facility in Michigan.

Of course the addition of accomplished throttleman Grant Bruggemann of Grant’s Signature Racing to the team alongside veteran driver “Evil” Ed Smith made headlines on speedonthewater.com in January, but the team is also strengthening its support system.

While Bruggemann’s shop in Bradenton, Fla., is handling the rigging of the boat now that Skater’s offseason work on the dash, canopy and paint is complete, team manager Mike Steetle of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., is going to oversee things for the Naples, Fla.-based team that is backed by dedicated team owner Mark Small of Cleveland Construction Inc., which has offices in Ohio, Florida, Maryland and North Carolina.

“The boat is new and improved with all the new bells and whistles,” said Steetle, adding that Mark Webber will be responsible for logistics and “the man that gets things done” will be Rich York. “We discovered things that needed to be addressed and they all have been. We’re looking forward to the first race.”

It’s clear Small can’t wait for the season to start. He’s been ready since the day Bruggemann and Smith spent some quality time in the boat together in Florida before it was sent off to Skater.

“The stage is set for an exciting 2018 racing season,” Small said. “The addition of Grant to the team is exciting. I expect him and Ed to get along in the boat as if they are one person. Credit also goes to the people behind the scenes. They are the ones who make this work and we are grateful for their help and assistance.”

The team plans to start its 2018 campaign at the Super Boat International season opener in Cocoa Beach, Fla., in May and then join in the Miami Air Land and Sea Show (May 26-27) before races in Sarasota, Fla. (June 30-July 1), Mentor, Ohio (July 20-22), Michigan City, Ind. (August 3-5), Riviera Beach, Fla. (Sept. 14-16), Clearwater, Fla. (Sept. 28-30) and Key West, Fla. (Nov. 2-12).

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