Willie Urbieta, 65, a semi-retired oil company executive in Fort Lauderdale, knows a good thing when he sees it.
A passionate boater since he was in his 20s, Urbieta bought a Sirena 58 a few years ago so he could cruise in South Florida and beyond with his family. “I wanted to go back to being part of this very particular boating culture and lifestyle as I absolutely love it,” he said.
Urbieta took delivery of the 58 in Turkey, where Sirenas are built, and explored the Turkish coast and the Greek islands before shipping it back to the U.S. But he liked the Sirena so much that he then bought a new 68 to cruise the Med. And he liked that one so much he just bought another new 68 to keep in Fort Lauderdale. Sirena says that Urbieta now qualifies as the only owner of two 68s.
Urbieta says he chose the new Sirena 68s for their volume, indoor and outdoor relaxing spaces, and their large flybridge. The 68 sleeps eight, with a large master stateroom amidships. Urbieta needed more room to cruise with his growing family that now includes his daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren.
The Sirena 68 was introduced in 2021. The hull and exterior were designed by Germán Frers, the highly regarded Argentine naval architect, with the interior by Cor D. Rover, the Dutch superyacht designer.
The semi-displacement yacht, powered by twin Volvo D13s, has a top speed of 26 knots and a cruising speed of 21 knots. It has a range of 400 nm at 16 knots, and 1,200 nm at knots. It has a resin-infused hull and a carbon-fiber superstructure for light weight and stability.
Urbieta cruises with a captain and stewardess, but he likes to drive the boat himself. “I really do enjoying docking my own boat,” he says. Once out of the harbor, he turns the Sirena over to the captain.
Urbieta then often works at his office on board. He’s set up a workstation with his computer and a printer next to the helm. “Every time I go to a different port, I can enjoy a different view from where I’m working,” he says.
Once his new 68 is in the U.S., Urbieta plans to cruise to the Bahamas, the BVI, Saint Martin and Puerto Rico, among other places. He says he’s happy looking forward to cruising there and in the Med on his two Sirena 68s. But will he ever move up in size? “You never know,” he says.
Read more: http://sirenayachts.com
