Sirena 78 Enclosed Review (2023 Edition)

The German Frer designs that run across the Sirena range are all about relaxed passage-making backed up by a proper turn of speed and the kind of confidence that comes from RCD Catergory A classification. 

Naval architecture is fairly true to traditional semi-displacement form, featuring a sharp entry to cut through the chop, some fuller sections as you move aft to create the lift for planing speeds and a keel for stability. Frers adds rounded sections to the chine for a softer ride, the addition of a stabiliser and, as with the test boat, Humphree Interceptor tabs help to keep the boat stable.

The test boat also came with the larger 1,550hp MAN V12 engines, an option that pushes the Sirena 78 towards 25 knots but more importantly creates the power and scope for useful 20-knot cruising.

From the Helm

I would probably struggle to describe our late evening run out of Cannes as a full sea trial but it did show me enough of the boat’s handling credentials to know this is a good cruising yacht.

Loaded with way more people than any owner would sensibly entertain, we managed to hit 24 knots, the boat responding well to the helm and always feeling poised. 

At a ludicrously laid-back 15 knots, we recorded 34g/hr (130l/hr) per engine, giving the yacht an easy 500nm range that pretty much continues up to 20 knots. Drop the speed back to around 10-12 knots and the range stretches out past 1,000nm with Sirena claiming a maximum of around 1,500nm at 10 knots.

What will linger longest in the memory from my time at the wheel is the feeling of steadfast ability. The Sirena 78 feels like it will push through anything. There is solid, no-nonsense feedback through the hull and steering and whilst there wasn’t anything in the vicinity to even remotely prove this theory it is one I am happy to stand by, underwritten by that RCD Cat A insurance.

The visibility from the upper deck’s helm is exceptional if you’re standing up, with a clear view down to the stern quarters and a 360-degree unobstructed seascape. For such a statesmanlike ride, the helm station does feel a little lightweight with its discreet design and a single helm chair that needs some extra thinking for a good seated position.

Sirena and German Frers are the design disruptors of the motor yacht market. Designs go their own way, and, for a comparatively new brand, have created a recognised look and onboard culture that few more established names have managed.

So much of the Sirena character is about striking exterior design and impressive interior space. The 78 delivers both. Frers high-volume semi-displacement hull delivers a 21ft (6.5m) beam, that’s 12in more than many yachts in this class, nearer 2ft more than some, and you really feel it onboard - although it is still only the usual four-cabin layout, plus a proper crew quarters aft.

The exterior design is typically modern and clean. The trawler yacht association is more about excellent function and cruising practicalities than form, the refined topsides starting with a sharp vertical bow that flows aft with linear confidence. 

The superstructure appears to be made entirely from glass, with discreet structural posts merging with heavily tinted windows. Unlike some other enclosed flys of similar size, the Sirena’s upper deck does not look too tall or ungainly, its dimensions suitably lower and more understated than the main deck.

The Luxury of Choice

The 78 is the first model to offer the choice of a fully or semi-enclosed flybridge, as well as a conventional open deck - even the flagship 88 offers no enclosed flybridge option. 

This large yacht device creates an upper lounge, with a sunroof and electric side screens opening things up so you never feel too shut off. It also creates options below on the main deck. For semi and enclosed boats, Sirena has done away with the lower helm so you win a long sweep of salon that pushes right up to the elegantly curved forward windscreen. 

Like the Princess X80, another enclosed fly design, the galley and dining area sits in this new-found forward space. Unlike the X80, Sirena does not offer the option of switching this galley for a main deck owner’s stateroom, something that feels like a miss, given nearly every X80 buyer has chosen the stateroom option.

While the upper deck on the 78 is the big news, the main deck is still the big space. Lined by glass and pushing right up to the rounded forward screens, the deck salon starts with a relaxed lounge, dotted with refined beach-club style free-standing furniture, but works in plenty of cabinet space for storage. 

The aft lounge sweeps forward to what must be the biggest and most impressive galley under 30m. The test boat came with the island option, with a massive slab of worktop sitting centrally and housing the cooking station with a bank of extractors worked into the counter. That leaves space for a wall of cold storage, with full-height refrigeration and deep freezers, and another worktop and cleaning station with a dishwasher and deep lockers. The design creates enough storage for a month of supplies. 

The option, theoretically for a more crew-focused operation, is a more traditional U-shape galley pushing out from the port side. This will allow cooking to happen behind closed doors but still leaves the forward section open for dining.

The semi and fully-enclosed yachts have two sets of salon stairs, one up to the flybridge, the other down to the cabins. The open version only has one set down; we don’t really understand why? 

Even on the fully enclosed model, the flybridge still feels like a deck and that is where we will look at it properly. First, let’s move down below and to a full-beam owner’s stateroom that is clearly enjoying all of this Sirena’s 21ft width.

All Below 

The owner’s ensuite runs amidships, insulating the cabin from the engine bay beyond, and can be delivered in the full-beam his-and-hers style on the test yacht or sharing its width with a walk-in style closet. The closet option frees up storage and cabinetry space in the cabin for an extra lounge but on both layouts, you have a study-come-dressing table.  

The stateroom has such an easy, relaxed style, flanked by hull-side glass, a dressing table and lounge. The cabin is the perfect place to consider the three trim levels on offer. The test boat came with the Inspiration finish, full of light fabrics and grey tonal cabinetry. At the other end of the spectrum is the more masculine Elegance, with contrasting dark woods and white leathers, that we saw on the Sirena 88 review. In between is Serenity, an interesting mix of warm woods and leathers that I would, personally, like to see very much. 

The companionway forward has two ensuite twin cabins with the forward VIP using the hard-working offset berth design to good effect, creating a full-beam feel.

The neat, tidy and discreet upper helm station sits over to starboard, with an optional docking station to port on the aft deck. It is a minimal design, intended not to interfere with the business of deck lifestyle, but it is the only helm and so it really needs to be more serious about its status. As a 1,500nm yacht, a chart area and the ability to screen itself off for night passages feels a basic right. The optional adjustable helm seat is a must. 

We have to start up on the flybridge, with its various states of enclosure. Sirena says the semi-enclosed option is proving popular, possibly because you win both the feel of an upper deck lounge and one that is allowed to open onto the aft deck completely. But the optional doors, folding right back to each side, wouldn’t get in the way very much and would allow you the luxury of complete enclosure and climate control. Perhaps the extra €100,000 the doors cost puts people off?

In both semi and enclosed versions, you win electrically operated drop-down side windows and a sunroof, adding yet more versatility. With the teak deck and free-standing beach-club-style furniture the mix of deck lifestyle and luxury lounge is near perfect - the furniture on the test boat is designed to pull out and form various social layouts.

Simply Good

The overall design of the flybridge is fairly understated. The smaller Sirena 68’s flybridge works incredibly hard to deliver its wonderfully sociable lounge and bar layout. The 78 has more space to play with and seems less concerned with being clever, and happy to just lay on the various features. The bar is barely noticeable up by the helm and the open aft deck is clean and clear for loungers. In keeping with this boat’s culinary focus, between the lounge and deck lies a very well-appointed wet bar and grill that begs for frequent barbecues.

One thing that impresses on every Sirena I have seen (and I think I've seen them all) is the level of finish across the decks. Teak may be a dwindling resource, but not in Turkey it seems. Rich warm wood adorns every inch of the deck, from smooth borders to the aft deck seating to the magnificent cappings along the deep wide side decks. Along with chunky, large gauge stainless steel, it all adds a very real level of nautical tradition to these modern vessels. 

The aft deck is accessed up two sets of steps up from the hydraulic platform. The platform can take up to 800kg and is the main access point for the crew quarters.

The aft deck lounge flows nicely on from the salon, with a useful wet bar lying between. The side decks, with full overhangs and lighting, lead to a foredeck lounge that would be the main highlight on almost any other 25m yacht. Incredibly broad, it has two separate L-shape lounges forward, looking aft onto a massive sun pad. A perfect in-port retreat, the foredeck comes with smart bar tables and plenty of cold storage.  

It seems fitting that, as serious cruising yachts, Sirenas are also easy boats to navigate when it comes to options. There are gradual, €100,000, increments up from open, to semi-enclosed and on to fully enclosed flybridge models. The three interior finishes come with no cost penalty and Sirena is happy to work with buyers to create a more personal yacht.

The uprated 1,550hp MAN V12s worked well but so will the standard 1,400hp engines, with the 78’s relaxed 10-15 knots cruising and 1,500nm range both assured. The 1,800hp option and its extra couple of knots doesn't seem a must-have for this kind of yacht, you will need to add a hefty stabiliser cost, but that goes for every other boat too.