I think it would look better if you redrew it without the black "swirlies" and "scuffing" in the background and the text. Keep the shield, opposing griffins. If you want a tertiary layer, add in a cleaner organic swirl or shape behind the opposing lions to fill the void. I wouldn't recreate it as is.
I wish I had enough freeboard to fit a better logo.
Quick, but you get the idea. Just trace out some new badass griffins, make a shield or some symmetrical shape, throw in some organic, and you've got something custom vs. what every one else has.
But as a review, you want to take one of the current Correct Craft logos, remove the text, create a cheap knock off of a REALLY complex logo and then place it your boat?
Not only do you need to work on subtlety, but you may seriously wish to consider not doing this altogether. By the time you pay a graphic designer to retrace this thing you'll be approaching the cost of the official decal (which you said you were trying to avoid purchasing).
Truth, I think roughly translated he is is going to do it himself at a design house he works at.
That logo would take less that 30 minutes to retrace. It isn't that complex.
I think it looks too busy with all the chipped paint looking background. I am not a huge fan of the shield either. I would drop that too. There are much more classic looking griffins to be made if you are going that way.