Aaron Hope, the owner of AMH Construction in Orlando, Fla., has purchased the most recent STIHL team Skater 388 catamaran from former owner/driver Jake Noble and plans to campaign it later this season. Hope drove the AMH Construction/Instigator Fountain V-bottom, which is owned by veteran offshore racer and multi-time SBI world champion Peter Meyer to the 2017 SBI Extreme Class world title in Key West, Fla.

In the STIHL Skater 388 catamaran, AMH Construction company owner Aaron Hope is hoping to find more offshore racing competition. Photo courtesy/copyright Pete Boden/Shoot 2 Thrill Pix.

Hope also has purchased the 40-foot Fountain from Meyer and will be working closely with the legendary offshore racer and his crew campaigning the 38-foot catamaran this year. According to Hope, the team’s 2018 season debut race has yet to be determined.

The fate of the Instigator V-bottom, said Hope, is uncertain.

“I love that class—I love driving that boat—but the class is lacking competition,” he said. “But we’re going to hold onto it and hope some people come out. In the meantime, I am looking forward to competing in the Skater. Super Cat is such a competitive class. Several owners from the class have already reached out to tell me they are happy to help us with whatever we need.

“The entire Instigator team will be coming over to join us,” he continued. “I’ll be driving. The throttleman has yet to be decided.”

“The cat needs quite a bit of work,” said Meyer. “Aaron brought it to the same shop my boat is at now in Florida, and my guy is going through it. He is assessing everything right now.”

Related Story: STIHL Out Of Offshore Racing