THE SIRENA YACHTS 68 IS AN IMMENSELY PRACTICAL SEMIDISPLACEMENT CRUISER.
The hull is based on the Sirena 64, which debuted in 2017, and is an evolution that goes far beyond the extra few feet of length that have been added toward the stern. ¶ Like the 64, the 68 has vertical bridge windows and a sharp, square stem with just a hint of reverse rake. There is substantial freeboard, along with square and rectangular hullside windows, echoing the original yacht’s look. Also like the 64, the 68 has a three-quarter hardtop that surrounds a chunky, funnel-type mast.
All of these features define a rather-youthful profile in the explorer category. ¶ What is obviously—and wonderfully—new for the Sirena 68 is the addition of glass in what used to be solid buttresses and side-deck bulwarks. All of that glass means better views, as well as more light in the main salon thanks to the bulwark cutouts. ¶ Many more refinements are on the inside. While the Sirena 64 and 68 are built in Turkey, they were conceived in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where Germán Frers’ studio is based. The studio is best-known in the sailing world for its work with Nautor’s Swan, Hallberg-Rassy and, in its early days, Wally. Frers’ team has penned the whole Sirena portfolio, which presently includes the smaller Sirena 58 and the bigger Sirena 88 RPH. Frers handled all the naval architecture, exteriors and space planning. ¶ The Sirena 68’s extra length aft allows for crew space in the transom, as well as an aft deck and flybridge that are a bit bigger than the 64’s. ¶ The 68’s flybridge has a flexible, zoned entertainment space. The after end is open to interpretation, which, for most owners, means stand-alone sun loungers. To starboard is a bar with two stools. Forward of the bar is a dining table for seven to 10 guests. Far forward is the upper helm station, which is to starboard with the option of a copilot seat. A smaller dinette is to port. ¶ Down on the aft deck are a transom sofa and a dining table. Forward, guests have a foredeck terrace with another dinette and sun pads, as well as plenty of deck space to walk around freely. ¶ Sirena’s interiors are by Cor D. Rover’s studio in the Netherlands, which has worked with Horizon Yachts, Azimut and Zeelander, as well as on superyachts. This first Sirena 68’s decor is light and bright, with reconstituted oak veneers and satin varnish. ¶ The main-deck layout is an open plan with an aft galley. The 68’s galley and aft deck spaces meld to become the heart of the vessel during the day, with a drop-down window between them. The central area is for lounging and watching TV. ¶ The 68’s bridge console is in the same portside location as it was on the 64, with the same access to the side deck via a full-height pantograph door. The helm can have a single pilot seat or two seats. Given that the main salon is all one level, visibility is virtually 360 degrees,
SHH...
At 15 knots, I measured 77 decibels at the inside helm—about the same as a vacuum cleaner or radio. At 10 knots, it was 85 to 87 decibels in the owner’s stateroom, 75 decibels in the VIP stateroom, and 80 decibels in the amidships twin-bunk stateroom.
DETAILS
Built at modern facilities in Turkey, the Sirenas are all resin-infused. The crew area for two is tucked into the stern with its own door in the transom. There’s room for a walk-in head with a shower and for a crew mess. Main-salon headroom is 6 feet, 9 inches. The shafts and 34-inch-diameter props spin in halftunnels, allowing an island-friendly draft of 4 feet, 3 inches. The hydraulic swim platform accommodates 1,000 pounds of yacht tender. For stern-to maneuvering, the 68 I got aboard had optional wing controls in a drop-down panel beneath the fly steps.
EXTRAS
The big options on the Sirena 68 include the hardtop and Seakeepers or fins, and occasionally all three for owners who prefer a belt-and-braces approach to stabilization.