Sundowner is the largest launch designed and built by the famed three generation Griffin boat building family, initially for Sir Theo Kelly – a high profile Australian business figure – marking a high-water mark of the yard’s innovation and build- quality.
The Series will feature the background to the design and build of this special vessel, with insights from the third generation of the Griffin family to work in the factory, David and Tony Griffin. It will trace Sundowner’s subsequent history, passing through the hands of prominent Australian families, through to current owner Chris Doran – whose relationship with the vessel comes full circle from the 1970s.
It will take you into the sheds for the re-fit process, alongside the shipwrights working on her – including leading shipwright, Craig Fielding – with a deep dive into what it takes to restore a grand wooden boat of this scale and volume. A process we will follow through to her relaunch.
We begin the walk-through of the re-fit with Craig Fielding “from the top” – looking at the flybridge decks and beams, and beginning what is a discovery process as paint and timber is stripped back to reveal previous patchy repairs over 50 years.
We also hear from the Griffins on the division of skills among Harold, John and Joe Griffin and their leadership of the operation; how the quality of the workmanship came “from the top” with a commitment to being on the floor working alongside their team.