Boot Düsseldorf 2019

Sirena 64.



This was my find of the show. I wasn’t previously aware of Sirena as a brand, it turns out they are a Turkish firm who manufacture under contract for Azimut. There are currently 2 boats in the Sirena range, a 58 and a 64 which was displayed and they are in the process of building an 88 footer. This felt like a serious boat, trawler styling all be it modern trawler styling but with the option to travel at planing speeds should the need arise.

From the bathing platform there was access to a fairly spartan crew cabin / utility area which then led on through a bulkhead door to the tight ish engine room. Steps either side of the bathing platform to the cockpit.








The Sirena 64 features a mid ship galley, the 58 is an aft galley and has potentially interesting accommodation. If you’re brave enough the 58 features a twin cabin option with steps from the forward cabin leading to the forward deck seating. In effect 2 master cabins each with their own appeal but I can see re-sale being tricky as most people would want a minimum of 3 cabins. The 58 is also available in a couple of more traditional 3 cabin options but they only had the 64 on display.

The optional 2 cabin 58 layout.



The 64 displayed





 
Looking at their website the 64 promo video was possibly one of the worst I’ve seen. Some bird lying in bed, a lot of kissing, colour then black & white, more kissing, more lying in bed but very little boat. Don’t worry about trying to sell me a lifestyle, I know what the missus looks like and if I wanted reminding I could dust off the camcorder, just show me the bloody boat :)

Having a mid boat galley does rather hamper visibility from the lower helm and on the subject of helms we really have been spoiled by Princess in terms of ergonomics. I didn’t like the control layout on this boat at all. I’m sure everything can be changed particularly with electronic controls so possibly more of a tweak during the build process. They hinted at being happy to look at customisation where appropriate. I thought the overall fit out was generally very good. Was it to Princess standard, probably not quite as there were some exposed screws in door shuts and some of the cupboard linings looked a bit cheap whilst others were fine. But it wasn’t a bad effort. I didn’t find myself thinking I was trading down per-se. As with all the boats we saw at the show I didn’t sit down and get real world prices but from an initial conversation I suspect a Sirena would be less money than the equivalent Princess although of course they don’t actually make a trawler style boat.







The starboard door out onto the side deck was more in keeping with Princess / Sunseeker, a proper stainless steel job with electronic locking. Step through front deck seating - remember all boats have to have it by law in 2019 :) A substantial table with wrap round bench seats then lounging forward of that. lids to the many storage areas around the bow felt slightly underwhelming as did the cup holder inserts - hey first world problems I know. There was also some exposed wiring to deck lights inside the storage lockers.







The flybridge was massive, and I do mean massive. 2 or 3 full sized free standing loungers fit easily on the aft section. There was also a well thought out shower built into the central radar support which I could see being useful for a quick freshen up. The flybridge helm position was a bit exposed but not as bad as some of the boats we saw and once again I didn’t like the instrument and controls ergonomics but that isn’t hard to rectify as per the lower helm







My default next boat would probably be a Princess 55 flybridge but I’d like to see a Sirena 58 in the flesh before I pressed the button particularly if I thought we’d be doing more semi live aboard longer cruises. There’s something about trawler or even pseudo trawler boats. Maybe I’m just getting old….Either way this was just the sort of thing I was hoping Düsseldorf would turn up.
 
What a great thread. Thanks henryf for all the pix and the time and trouble. I was sorry to have not been able to go, but I now feel I pretty much have been. :encouragement:

A couple of thoughts:

Having not had a boat now for a few years, it seems an odd proposition to ask the punters to put down (say) a million quid for a floating apartment that you can't really customise even by buying a different make. I guess that what I'm saying is that, to me, they all look more similar than different and I'm just failing to get excited by whether the sofa manufacturer has opted for an artisan seam or not.

Separately on the question of diagonal thrust from IPS units mounted on the vee, would it not be straightforward - assuming the diagonal thrust is not desirable - to use a mounting with a triangular profile? I get that the pods aren't made like that at present but it shouldn't be difficult, should it?
 
IDAMAY said:
Having looked through all the photographs I think the only boat that has any fiddles is the Navetta, which may be the only justification it has for the "trawler" designation. I may be wrong about this as it is quite hard to differentiate between changes in material or colour. This despite the excellent photography. Also there appear to be an awful lot of sharp edges set at heights that might, in a seaway, interfere with delicate parts of the anatomy. Anyway, it suggests to me that these boats are more floating condo than serious cruisers but if that's what the buying public wants...….


Thanks for the very interesting and informative reports, Henry. It looks a great show.
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The Navetta has more than just fiddles, the wine glasses stick to the table with magnets
 
benjenbav said:
What a great thread. Thanks henryf for all the pix and the time and trouble. I was sorry to have not been able to go, but I now feel I pretty much have been. :encouragement:

A couple of thoughts:

Having not had a boat now for a few years, it seems an odd proposition to ask the punters to put down (say) a million quid for a floating apartment that you can't really customise even by buying a different make. I guess that what I'm saying is that, to me, they all look more similar than different and I'm just failing to get excited by whether the sofa manufacturer has opted for an artisan seam or not.
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To some extent I agree with you and it's one of the reasons we still have the P50 flybridge. It does everything we want, in some ways better than the current equivalent so if we are prepared to trade off the latest styling why change. Were money not an issue we would change just because we could.

There does come a point where for what ever reason you think right, it's time to freshen everything up so you go out and buy a new boat. The cost to change is divided up over however many years you've owned the last boat for, a bit of man maths kicks in, uncle Fester's inheritance gets cashed in and you press the button. When I buy new boots I don't actually want a different style, I want exactly the same pair I bought last time, just newer.

The hope is with a boat that there are a few things which you get which were previously missing. We now have a funky air-con heating system in place of a somewhat feeble (in hindsight) heater. We have a full beam owners cabin, a third cabin, a pasarelle / crane, a bimini cover, a second inside seating area, a crew cabin, newer electronics, bigger engines made by CAT, an icemaker, a bigger telly and TVs in the bedrooms, a BBQ and chiller on the flybridge etc. etc. We went a bit bigger but even if the next boat is the same size there might be some things we now get. Possibly stabilisation, possibly flatter floors or ceilings, who knows. Oh shit I almost forgot - BOW SEATING :)

Of course most people take the opportunity to move up a few feet to gain a bit of extra space.

The reason I liked the Sirena was because it offered a slightly different take on boating whilst costing no more, possibly a bit less than making the move to a newer version of the current tub.

Henry :)
 
henryf said:
There’s something about trawler or even pseudo trawler boats. .
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There is indeed because Beneteau with their Swift Trawler range, Azimut with their Magellano range and Absolute with their Navetta range all can't make enough of them. IMHO it is a bit like the SUV trend in cars. Some buyers want a boat that looks like it could go out in the wild and take the rough stuff despite the fact that they just cruise to the nearest anchorage like the rest of us. IMHO British builders are missing a trick here. With the reputation that British builders like Fairline and Princess have for making seaworthy boats, they could make a real impact on the faux trawler market with the right product range

Also I would love to see a test in MBY comparing the seakeeping of some of these faux trawlers to standard gin palace boats to see whether they actually live up to their looks
 
Deleted User said:
There is indeed because Beneteau with their Swift Trawler range, Azimut with their Magellano range and Absolute with their Navetta range all can't make enough of them. IMHO it is a bit like the SUV trend in cars. Some buyers want a boat that looks like it could go out in the wild and take the rough stuff despite the fact that they just cruise to the nearest anchorage like the rest of us. IMHO British builders are missing a trick here. With the reputation that British builders like Fairline and Princess have for making seaworthy boats, they could make a real impact on the faux trawler market with the right product range

Also I would love to see a test in MBY comparing the seakeeping of some of these faux trawlers to standard gin palace boats to see whether they actually live up to their looks
Click to expand...

Have a look at the Apreamare Maestro range .
They do a 65 early 2008 modals with MAN V10 1100 Hp ,s .Later modals with the v12 1350 Hp good for 36 knots and crucially 28 knots cruise , it’s got a deep ish V at the deadrise .
There’s an 82 - agian that will surprise a few “ gin palaces “ .
However as mentioned they brought a 56 to market a couple or so years ago - for export with IPS 1200 ,s
Now this is the interesting bit I was on a 56 @Genoa 17 and asked the sales guy after a good poke about about the seakeeping and no kidding in line with MapshM,s thinking he said .
“ You would be better off buying an older 62 *on shafts “

* what ever the new IPS replaced in the line up .

So for me a AM maestro would be the go to trawler style because they can plane fast as well .
 
Deleted User said:
There is indeed because Beneteau with their Swift Trawler range, Azimut with their Magellano range and Absolute with their Navetta range all can't make enough of them. IMHO it is a bit like the SUV trend in cars. Some buyers want a boat that looks like it could go out in the wild and take the rough stuff despite the fact that they just cruise to the nearest anchorage like the rest of us. IMHO British builders are missing a trick here. With the reputation that British builders like Fairline and Princess have for making seaworthy boats, they could make a real impact on the faux trawler market with the right product range

Also I would love to see a test in MBY comparing the seakeeping of some of these faux trawlers to standard gin palace boats to see whether they actually live up to their looks
Click to expand...

Fully agree. That is real innovation; a Magellano alternative would be real news, instead of adding bow seating, more windows, IPS or some new interior design to create new models.
Such article would be very very interesting (plus add a steel displacement and a semi displacement aluminium boat in the mix)
 
Deleted User said:
Also I would love to see a test in MBY comparing the seakeeping of some of these faux trawlers to standard gin palace boats to see whether they actually live up to their looks
Click to expand...
Good idea, but don't hold your breath. I can't remember to have ever seen a magazine purposedly arranging a seatrial in F6+ conditions, and in anything less the differences would be neither here nor there.
Besides, the real acid test would also require a third type of boat, i.e. a Nordhavn or similar, to really cover the range of seakeeping differences.
I can't think of any magazine interested and willing to arrange such review.
 
EricJ said:
Fully agree. That is real innovation; a Magellano alternative would be real news, instead of adding bow seating, more windows, IPS or some new interior design to create new models.
Such article would be very very interesting (plus add a steel displacement and a semi displacement aluminium boat in the mix)
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Good to read but to buy ,wouldn’t you do what I suggested earlier- - - test drive a proper test in waves to see for yourself if it’s shakes , rattles or rolls so to speak ?
 
Portofino said:
Have a look at the Apreamare Maestro range .
They do a 65 early 2008 modals with MAN V10 1100 Hp ,s .Later modals with the v12 1350 Hp good for 36 knots and crucially 28 knots cruise , it’s got a deep ish V at the deadrise ..
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A broker I trust told me the Maestro 65 was a good sea boat. However the looks are a bit of an acquired taste and the saloon feels small for the size of the boat. Another boat of the same ilk with a similar reputation for seakeeping is the Mochi Dolphin. Again the saloons are quite small but IMHO they look the dogs danglies
 
Deleted User said:
Another boat of the same ilk with a similar reputation for seakeeping is the Mochi Dolphin.
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Do they in the UK, M?
Down here, afaik the Dolphin line sold well mostly to weekend boaters who liked its glamorous look, first and foremost.
I fact, I can't remember anyone ever mentioning them as examples of good seakeeping boats - as opposed to Apreas for instance, which indeed have such reputation. Though I'm a bit skeptic about how much deserved it really is, tbh.
Anyway, strictly fwiw, "picnic boat" is how the Dolphins are commonly called over the Pond... :rolleyes:

Btw, since you mention Mochi, their LRC is the only real attempt I can think of ever made by a major builder to adopt a REALLY different hull, designed from scratch for an "in between" speed range. All other so-called trawlers, navettas, etc. are just more or less twisted P hulls - including Apreas and Menorquins, which in a sense were a sort of ante litteram navettas.
Actually, judging by how many Mochi LRCs can be seen around, it's safe to guess that Ferretti didn't sell them as hot cakes...
PYB, do you possibly have an idea of the production numbers?
Anyhow, fwiw I came across a couple folks (both engineers, not owners) who had a chance to seatrial the thing, and saying that their views were very different is an understatement.
Pretty sure, that's a boat I would be curious to try...
 
Portofino said:
Good to read but to buy ,wouldn’t you do what I suggested earlier- - - test drive a proper test in waves to see for yourself if it’s shakes , rattles or rolls so to speak ?
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Sure, but ideally you test drive after having read a few tests/comparisons. And it would be an article to start a huge thread about on this forum :D
 
Deleted User said:
There is indeed because Beneteau with their Swift Trawler range, Azimut with their Magellano range and Absolute with their Navetta range all can't make enough of them. IMHO it is a bit like the SUV trend in cars. Some buyers want a boat that looks like it could go out in the wild and take the rough stuff despite the fact that they just cruise to the nearest anchorage like the rest of us. IMHO British builders are missing a trick here. With the reputation that British builders like Fairline and Princess have for making seaworthy boats, they could make a real impact on the faux trawler market with the right product range

Also I would love to see a test in MBY comparing the seakeeping of some of these faux trawlers to standard gin palace boats to see whether they actually live up to their looks
Click to expand...

As a gin palace, the Sunseeker 86 with a 1500 nm range is something to think about moving away from faux trawlers.
 
W
MrB said:
As a gin palace, the Sunseeker 86 with a 1500 nm range is something to think about moving away from faux trawlers.
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Good point SS get the range in by going for this duo hull / engine thingy - keeping the Luxo condo and dare I say it sporty younger feel bit .

The stat we are after is not some alleged “seakeeping “ there’s other obvious choices ( ask me how I know :cool:) -it’s the age demographic of the “ Trawler “ owners .

Age, time to use what been spent and money normally come together.
 
MapisM said:
PYB, do you possibly have an idea of the production numbers?
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I was told nine, and was told and two where sold to MotoGP personalities Valentino Rossi, and Loris Capirossi. Both of which came from high performance Pershing and Bruno Abbate Primatist the second.

Apparently I was told, that since Frabetti has then left Ferretti in 2012 there is also problems to use some of the patents of the hull shape.

btw the Mochi Dolphin has a very good hull too, designed by Brunello Acampora Victory Design from top to bottom. Now Brunello consulted for a lot of Ferretti's after year 2000, but the Mochi Dolphin had after the Itama's the surest sea keeping in the Group. I think the Aprea where build the strongest in the group since they stood under the watchful eyes of the Aprea family.
 
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