People expect a calm and safe time on the water onboard a trawler. But long-range cruises also require considerable on-board comfort, and the innovative layout of the interiors and deck increase this feeling
by Niccolò Volpati – photo by ©Breed Media and Jeff Brown
Tradition and innovation. Let’s start with tradition. People expect a calm, pleasurable and lengthy time on the water from a semi-displacement yacht like the Sirena 78. And it delivers. There are two MAN engines each delivering 1,550 horsepower and the fuel tanks take as much as 9,000 litres. Which means the range is very good. During the test, the fuel consumption data showed that at twelve knots you can comfortably cover a thousand nautical miles without refuelling.
It was also comfortable going over the waves that we generated. The feeling you get is that of a hull that doesn’t have problems in a moderate sea.
If you are prepared to be happy with doing around ten knots, the range stretches beyond 1,200 nautical miles. The litres required to do a mile are fairly surprising: just over six for ten knots cruising speed and around nine litres to do twelve knots. The credit for that comes from a combination of various factors. Of course one of those is the fact that the engines aren’t too thirsty, as well as having tanks that are designed for long-range use, but also, and above all, because of the waterlines of the hull, which were created, like the whole naval architecture, by German Frers.
It is an innovative layout that provides a saloon that houses the dining and living areas, with 360-degree views.
Travelling on the Sirena 78 is a pleasure. I realised that in part because of the low noise levels and the almost complete lack of vibration in the master cabin. Not just when you are doing around ten knots, but also when you accelerate up to twenty. The monitor showed that sound levels never reached more than seventy decibels, so you can easily spend time in your cabin without feeling like you are inside a blender. Anybody looking for higher cruising speeds can push it to 20 or even the 25-knot top speed. And the figures, both for fuel consumption and range, are still more than acceptable, while noise only goes up by a couple of decibels.
The two MAN engines have a V-Drive transmission which means they have been located further aft, consequently leaving more room for accommodation below decks. But knowing that wasn’t enough to get me ready for the surprise I had when I went on board. The innovative – brave, even – approach to the layout is shown by the fact that you don’t feel as if you are on board a trawler with a flybridge, but rather a classic three-deck yacht. The flybridge is available in three versions: open, semi-closed or completely closed. I had the chance to try out the semi-closed version. The forward section of the flybridge doesn’t just have a windscreen, but instead windows that run along the sides. Inside you find the helm station, a bar counter and a living area.
The Sirena 78 is especially noteworthy for her unique interior design. In particular, Sirena’s loose-furniture concept encourages customers to be as creative as possible by giving them the freedom to place items such as settees and ottomans according to their own preference.
While going aft it becomes the traditional open flybridge, with a chaise longue and a living area. Above you is a soft top. It feels like being on a terrace overlooking the sea. There are also two ways to get up to the flybridge: one is from the cockpit that leads onto the open area above, and the other is from a staircase located aft of the helm station, which enables you to go from the main deck to the flybridge while still inside, and so protected from the rain for example. This also has the advantage that the helm position enjoys excellent sight lines. Steering from an elevated position, the highest part of the boat, means you can keep an eye on everything, while still being well protected, which is just the thing when you have to helm when in sub-optimal sea and wind conditions.
THE FLYBRIDGE HAS TWO DISTINCT SIDES: IT IS MORE PROTECTED GOING FORWARD, WITH THE SOLE HELM STATION, AND MORE OPEN AFT.
The V-Drive transmission means there is less bulk in the engine room, and thus more room available
for the master cabin.
Credit for the innovative, and brave, the layout of the main deck goes to Cor D. Rover Design Studio, who handled the interior décor. What you don’t have on this floor is a helm station. The only one on the boat is up on the flybridge. That is a convincing approach, primarily because, as we said, it is in an excellent position and is well protected. And then there is the fact that the main deck has a huge amount of space available. It’s a single open space, and the kitchen isn’t separated, while the large dining table is in the forward area of the saloon. It is surrounded by glass, which makes it feel like a panoramic restaurant right on the shoreline. Whereas going aft there is the living area and, as you go out, you get to the cockpit which has a more traditional set-up, with a table and open-air seating.
The lower deck, as expected, is completely used for accommodation. The master cabin is located in the stern and is separated from the engine room by the two-room bathroom which has the shower cubicle in the middle. Both the bathroom and the cabin are full beam. I very much liked the windows: they are there, but they aren’t huge and are just right to ensure privacy while still providing a view.
The light honey-hued wood and soft semi-gloss lacquer provide a warm and inviting atmosphere.
The VIP cabin is right in the bow with the double bed slanting diagonally across the cabin. That means it is easy to move around the cabin and to get to bed. In addition to the VIP and the master cabin, there are two twin rooms, giving a total of four bedrooms and four bathrooms, all of them with separate shower cubicles.
Right in the bow, there is a perfect living area that ensures privacy when moored stern-to.
The only comment that could be made about the layout of the interiors is that there is no day head on the main deck. So essentially, I would say that the Sirena 78 meets the requirements of somebody who is looking for a trawler and the comfort and range that comes with it. At the same time, it has an innovative layout that enhances the comfortable feeling that you get on board. It is a boat that has been conceived, designed and created with the idea of spending a good amount of time on board.
The only helm station is on the flybridge. It is well protected by windows, a windscreen and a soft top and has excellent sight lines when underway or manoeuvring.
Engine room
The pair of 1,550 horsepower MAN engines is a balanced choice. Performance, limited fuel usage and as a consequence, range. The top speed is 25.3 knots with the motors working at 2265 rpm.
SIRENA YACHTS
Abdi İpekçi Cd. Ada Apt. No: 22/18 K:5
TR-34367 Nişantaşı / İstanbul
T. +90 212 2197474
[email protected]
www.sirenayachts.com
Dealer for Italy
GPY Marine
T. +39 3356113832
www.gpylongrange.it
PROJECT
Frers Naval Architecture & Engineering (hull, exterior styling & concept), Cor D. Rover Design Studio (interior décor)
HULL
LOA 25.00m • Length 22.10m • LWL 21.50m • Maximum beam 6.50m • Draft 1.73m • Displacement 82,400 kg • Fuel tank volume 9,000 l • Water tank volume 1,800 l
MAIN PROPULSION
2xMan V12-1550 • Outlet mechanical power 1,140 kW • Swept volume 24.24 l • 12 V-shaped cylinders • Maximal rotational speed 2300/min • Dry weight 2,270 kg • V-Drive transmission
PRICE
Starting from € 3,650,000 (January 2023)
(Sirena 78, welcome home – Barchemagazine.com – January 2023)
