griffin, builders of Sydney Australiaolympic class32' 5.5 meter ?

[rednecker]

griffin, builders of Sydney Australiaolympic class32\' 5.5 meter ?

came accross a boat for sale, the owner says was built and designed by "griffin" family of boat builders in Sydney Australia , story is grandfather designed it as 5.5 mt one or olympic class? is 32ft long just under 7' beam Kauri on most probally spotted gum frames/ ribs, built by later generation in 68/69/ posibly 70 at the latest.. has a set of racing plaques from early 1970's and seemed to be very successfully raced in ocean races of sydney.any one have any links or info for the builders or class ? or experience with this design, where the weak and potential bad spots are with this design? will get some photo's up today if possible..

 

[CliveSmith]

Re: griffin, builders of Sydney Australiaolympic class32\' 5.5 meter ?

Can't help much, but the Daring is a particluar design of 5.5 metre class.

Taken from their web site:-

"The Daring was designed by Arthur Robb and based on his successful 5.5 metre yacht "Vision", silver medal winner at the 1956 Olympics. The first Daring was launched in 1960 and one year later a total of 11 boats were racing in the Solent.

The Daring's special one-design rules allow the class continuously to improve the sail and rigging plan by adopting the latest designs and high-technology materials to give the very best value for money one-design racing. The popularity of the class has grown steadily and there are now more than 30 boats in Cowes and a membership list of over 200"

Might help point you in the right direction.

 

[Boatmik]

Re: griffin, builders of Sydney Australiaolympic class32\' 5.5 meter ?

Griffin Yachts had their factory at Mona Vale up until the mid to late 70s as far as I know. I knew someone who worked there.

The 5.5m is not an ocean racer. Some world championships were run off Broken Bay - but only day races round a triangular course.

In those days the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club was the main club for the class.

5.5m yachts have largely been succeeded by classes such as the Etchells 22 which is a bit faster and cheaper as it is manufactured in fibreglass.

I think that in the last 25 years there have only been about 3 new boats built in Australia.

There is a fleet that races out of the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron now and I think the offices for the class in Australia may be in that club.

The Web page for the class is at
http://members.optusnet.com.au/~matt_w/5point5/
If you speak to the secretary and tell him the boat was built by Griffen he may be able to tell you a lot more about the details of the boat.

Also Duck Flat Wooden Boats in Adelaide will be restoring Kirribilli which was built for the 1960 olympic trials I think and have gathered quite a bit of information
email ted@duckflatwoodenboats.com

The active racing is mostly older boats.

The 5.5s are great thoroughbreds. Very beautiful to sail, well balanced, point very high. they have an open cockpit and no accomodation.

Hope this helps
Michael Storer

 

[rednecker]

Re: griffin, builders of Sydney Australiaolympic class32\' 5.5 meter ?

thanks guys, found out a whole lot about this one now,
call me chicken, I"ve ALMOST talked myself out of it... this one has been decked and cabined late sixties, was more than likley built for tokyo olympic trials in 62/63, hull is fair to good for her age, usuall cracked ribs on the sharpest turns of the bilge, is planked in NZ kauri, has nice extra stainless floors too strengthen, but in my opinion is due for a full redecking and cockpit replacment,, think the guy would be offended by my best offer after a full looking over, oh well ...