SIRENA 48

The Sirena 68 won last year's award for flybridges over 60ft. Can its new entry-level 48 repeat that success?

- Alex Smith

Trawler yachts are not generally seen as the go-to choice for young, boaters but Istanbul-based shipyard, Sirena Marine, sees things differently. Launched at the Cannes Yachting Festival in September 2023, its new entry-level boat will inevitably court a younger demographic thanks to its relative accessibility in terms of scale, ease of use and affordability. But according to Sirena COO, Ali Onger, the new 48 is also designed to offer an "unprecedented level of choice and flexibility" for a boat of its size, with both crewed and owner-operated versions on offer, as well as a variety of layouts for equal relevance in both America and the Med.

As you would expect though, the aesthetic overlap with the established 58, 68, 78 and 88 looks very strong. It shares the same Germán Frers semi-displacement hull form as the larger models and it looks very much part of the established family above the waterline too. While trawler yachts always involve significant bulk, courtesy of voluminous hulls, lofty superstructures and full-beam flybridges, the design of the 48 subtly finesses the traditional formula with a raised foredeck, a plumb bow, elegant detailing in the hull sides and tinted glazing, both in the superstructure and in the squared-off hull windows. It's not a radical-looking boat by any means but there's a slick, disciplined modernity to it that offsets the volume, making it feel much more appealing than most boats of its type.

DAY SPACES

The saloon on the new 48 is a modestly impressive place. The use of large vertical windows and a low-level dash makes everything feel remarkably bright and open and the fuss-free fit-out also helps with that. Pared back and linear furniture, trimmed neatly in pale woods, makes good use of the natural light, and headroom is also excellent for a flybridge-equipped boat of this size.