C U LATER
| Design | Ross 8.0m |
| Sail Number | 8586 |
| Length overall | 8.0m |
| Length waterline | 7.3m |
| Beam | 3.0m |
| Draft | 2.20m |
| About the boat: | C U Later is a Ross 8m, designed by Murray Ross and built by Vaudrey Miller. The mighty C U Later is one of the smaller boats in the 2020 RNI Fleet and could be a reasonably wet ride!
Sailed by SSANZ Committee Member Logan Fraser and Nicolas Henry, these boys will be keen to send it as they do the lap of the North Island. Expect these guys to be pushing hard to be at the front of the pack as seen in the SSANZ Triple Series this year when C U Later took the double in their division. With plenty of racing miles together on C U Later two handed under the keel, you can expect this to be a real advantage for Logan and Nico at the smaller end of the fleet. |
| Home base | Westhaven |
| C U Later Yachting |
LOGAN FRASER
| Name | Logan Fraser |
| Age | 37 |
| Relationship to Co – Skipper | Bloody Good Mate |
| Have you ever done the RNI before? | I haven’t competed in the RNI race before, however, I did complete the second half of this years RNZ race on Krakatoa II. There is nothing quite like racing on your own boat though and building up your own campaign. |
| Yacht Club | SSANZ |
| Tell us a little about your sailing history/ background | After getting hooked on the sport racing out of Pine Harbour I joined the BBYC Sailing Academy and then 2 years at the RNZYS Youth Training Programme. I had endless adventures cruising around the Hauraki Gulf with family and friends on the family Townsend 9m called Eshara. I purchased my first boat with Scott Wilson in my early 20’s, an Elliot 770 called Real Deal. Around 25 I was invited to join Kiwimatch Sailing Team and spent several years competing in match racing and sailing regattas around the world. We raced 2 years on the World Match Racing Circuit and were ranked as high as 5th in the World at one stage. During this time I also competed in several high profile offshore events and international race weeks. I have also competed locally and in Australia on TP’s as well as been part of Beau Geste Sailing team on their TP52 and 80ft race yachts. I bought the Ross 8m C U Later over 3 years ago, always with the intention of competing in the RNI. I originally wanted to do the previous race, however, losing my Dad only a few months after buying the boat put the programme on hold. This has given us a chance to get ourselves and the boat far better prepared and I know my old man will be watching over us as we take on this crazy adventure. Sailing has given me the opportunity of traveling the world to some unique locations whilst doing something I love which has been an incredible privilege. |
| What appeals most about doing the RNI | Finishing. |
| What are your essential food items during the race? | Snakes. Nothing like a bag of Snakes to pick you up on those cold lonely nights. |
| What will your meals be like during the race? | I think it’s well known that nothing about the C U will be Deluxe. There will be plenty of Freeze Dry to go around. We may shout ourselves a couple of gourmet ones though. |
| What’s your favourite point of sail and why? | Downwind. You just need to look at the boat, it’s self explanatory. |
| What do you like most about the boat you are sailing on? | It’s a giant killer. And it’s a cool colour. |
| Describe your skipper/co-skipper in 5 words | Peux-tu jouer de la guitare |
| Tell us about the training and buildup that you have been doing for this race both on and off the water? | We have spent the last 3 years converting the boat from a harbour racing sports-boat into a coastal racer. Nearly every single system has been overhauled and improved. We have competed in just about every short-handed race possible over the last few years to show that we and the boat are ready for this challenge. |
| Will you be taking any luxury items on the race? – If so, what is it and why? | As per above – there is no luxury on the C U! |
| What’s your biggest fear when you think about the RNI? | Not finishing. |
| Who’s your biggest opposition and why? | The ocean. Because it likes to be on top of and inside our boat. |
| Tell us about your biggest supporters | My family have always been huge supporters of my sailing. My Mum would be my biggest fan and I’m sure she will have many sleepless nights waiting for the tracker updates. |
| What’s most exciting/challenging about this race for you? | Just to complete the race is a big challenge, but to complete it on the C U Later will be next level |
| What sound system do you have on board? What’s likely to be playing? | Brand new Fusion MSRA-55 head unit with some 7.7″ Signature Speakers – Game changer! |
| It’s the night before the big race – how do you get your head in the game? | Our heads have been in the game for the last 3 years – BRING IT ON! |
NICOLAS HENRY
| Name | Nicolas Henry |
| Age | 37 |
| Relationship to Co – Skipper | Good Mate |
| Yacht Club | SSANZ |
| Tell us a little about your sailing history/ background | First Time Sailing at 8 years old. First regatta at 16 and started sailing regularly as a bowman on various one designs (Class 8, J80, Melges 24). Prepared a Mumm 30 during the Tour Voile 2004. First sail in Auckland in 2005 (when I met Logan), 2x years sailing on bigger boat (40-50ft) and growing my bowman skillset. Back in France, I participated to 2x Class 40 World Champs plus a few deliveries across the Channel and around Brittany. In 2010, I crewed on a F18 for a few Raids around Normandy or Brittany just to get the multi buzz. |
| What appeals most about doing the RNI | The challenge to race a smaller boat and hopefully we find some long swells for a send down the West Coast. |
| What are your essential food items during the race? | Salami (new addition around White Island) |
| What will your meals be like during the race? | Considering the outstanding cooking facility on the boat, it will be 1 (maybe 2) warmed up pre-cooked meals and then beautifully prepared freeze dry (that we actually don’t mind at all). Add to that a few packets of snakes for a treat. |
| What’s your favourite point of sail and why? | Fast downwind in 20kt +, surfing along. Just fast and fun. |
| What do you like most about the boat you are sailing on? | Being a small boat, we only have small problems….also she is relatively quick. |
| Tell us about the training and buildup that you have been doing for this race both on and off the water? | We have been racing most SSANZ races together on the blue bus for 3 years now, so that has been a great preparation in itself. We are now adding the final touch inside the boat to get things organised in our small livable space. Also to stay in 1 piece during the race, a few intense gym sessions are lined up for the next 3 months. |
| Will you be taking any luxury items on the race? – If so, what is it and why? | Maybe I will charge some Seahorse magazine on the iPad in case we get some time to read and chat about boat tech. |
| What’s your biggest fear when you think about the RNI? | If it is upwind all around…it could be a bit long! |
| Who’s your biggest opposition and why? | I don’t really know. |
| Tell us about your biggest supporters | I am grateful that my partner is supporting me to do the race (+ the prep time) despite being well occupied with our young boy. It will be a treat to see them at each stages finish line. Also I know a couple of mates (even in France) will be following us and supporting us which is cool. |
| What sound system do you have on board? What’s likely to be playing? | New addition to the boat set-up. We need to work on the playlist, but bet on some RnB and maybe some french touch too. |
| It’s the night before the big race – how do you get your head in the game? | The night before the race, I am packing my sailing gear and reviewing the latest weather info + the route we could take. Then off to bed (generally too late) and I sleep like a log. |