Why one Owner built the ultimate mobile home, and what he learned in the process.
For many, yacht ownership begins with a love of the sea. For Hubert, the Owner of SITARA, it began with an idea shaped by thousands of sea miles, a career in architecture, and a belief that a yacht could be more than a holiday retreat. It could be a mobile life. Here, he shares the philosophy, challenges and unique features behind SITARA, and why, after just one year, she’s for sale.
“SITARA has been a lifelong dream,” he begins. “It started during my university years, with a fascination for sailing that took me across oceans and continents. After spending so much time on yachts, I knew I wanted to experience these destinations aboard something of my own.”
But dreams evolve. Originally, the plan was a monohull sailing yacht. Then came the switch to a sailing catamaran. In the end, it became a power catamaran. “It’s about experience and practicality. A monohull has its romance, but a larger multihull offers more comfort and, importantly, safety. And beyond a certain size, a sailing yacht becomes difficult for a couple to manage alone. At sea, complexity equals risk.”
The result? A large, intelligently designed power catamaran with global range and liveaboard capability.
“Other people build their dream properties. I wanted to build my dream mobility.”
With a background in architecture, Hubert brought both discipline and vision to the project. “Design is more than just aesthetics. It’s about the energy a space gives you. Our environment is our third skin, after our physical skin and the clothes we wear. It affects your mindset! SITARA needed to offer openness, inspiration, freedom.”
His aim was to create an atmosphere that was “cool, but not cold. Stylish, but never impractical. Minimalistic, but warm.” Every choice, from the muted greys of the interior to the strategic openness of spaces, was deliberate. “Uncluttered space is luxury. You need room, not just physically, but mentally.”
A key design principle was what he calls flexible continuity. “We change. Life changes. SITARA was built to accommodate that. A timeless base, with the freedom to adapt.”
While SITARA is a VISION F build, Hubert was more involved than most. “I won’t pretend the collaboration was easy for the yard. My individual expectations were high. I was deeply involved. But I believe it shows in the result.”
One of the core challenges was accessible storage. “Most yachts aren’t built for full-time living. They have storage, yes, but it’s rarely optimised. We reworked the interior to eliminate dead space. Every cubic metre had to be used intelligently.”
Another major decision involved crew. “Our initial plan was to cruise alone, without crew. That offers maximum privacy, but it also means more workload. We needed the option to add crew later, without major refits. So we designed SITARA from the outset with fully integrated crew capability. She can be run as a couple’s yacht or with full crew—that’s rare.”
SITARA’s energy concept stands apart in today’s market, and it’s something Hubert is keen to spotlight.
“The industry talks a lot about sustainability, but very few solutions are honest. Most yachts rely on a generator running 24/7. Even so-called ‘solar’ yachts often use the generator as backup whenever cruising speed exceeds five knots.”
SITARA takes a different approach. “She has a highly efficient diesel propulsion system, consuming just litres per nautical mile at eight knots. That’s paired with 34 solar panels generating up to 13.6kW, feeding 175kWh of battery storage. The result? During our first five months on board, we logged just 100 hours on the 15kW generator, despite covering over 4,000 nautical miles.”
Silence, especially at anchor, is no small luxury.
“Being anchored without any engine noise, living fully off-grid, that’s what autonomy should feel like.”
For both the Owner and his wife Astrid, SITARA is not just a place to relax, it’s a place to work.
“We still run our businesses. That means a need for strong connectivity, quiet work zones, and spaces that support a real working day. Astrid’s workspace in the main salon is a great example. She has a 360° view, natural light, and a space that feels part of the experience, not isolated from it.”
SITARA is not a second home. It is their home. “Our days aren’t unlike anyone else’s. We work. We cook. We maintain the boat. We explore the place we stay. The difference is that our surroundings change. While some tend to their garden, we tend to our yacht. Some days the view is a bustling marina. Other days, it’s a quiet bay or open water. It’s a privilege, but it’s also a lifestyle that requires routine.”
Favourite spaces on board? “Many. For me – the coffee bar on the foredeck, where I enjoy my morning cappuccino. The flybridge, which becomes our gym day by day. The galley, I love to cook, and the aft BBQ station, perfect for preparing sushi or filleting a large tuna.”
SITARA’s maiden voyage in 2024 covered Istanbul to Cannes, with stops in Greece, Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica and the Côte d’Azur.
“Every leg brought something unique, Greek hospitality, volcano at Aeolian Islands, Corsican markets. The Corinth Canal was especially memorable. This year, we’re returning to explore the Greek islands and the Turkish coast in more depth.”
When asked what advice he’d give to future yacht owners considering a liveaboard project, he’s direct:
“You need to know what you really want. Not what’s fashionable. Not what your friend has. Not what magazines tell you to want. You have to define your own priorities.”
He draws a parallel with residential design. “As an architect, I’ve seen many clients unable to articulate what they truly need. That leads to standard solutions – which were not perfect for you. On a holiday yacht, that might be fine. But if you live on board long-term, every misstep becomes part of your daily life. There’s no escaping poor decisions.”
Given the clear passion and precision behind SITARA, many are surprised to learn she’s already for sale. Hubert anticipates the question.
“It’s a fair one. People assume that if this was a dream, and she turned out so well, why sell? But for me, the joy is in the creation. I’m a builder by nature. The process, imagining, designing, realising, is what I love. SITARA was perfect for our needs at that moment. But I’m already thinking about what comes next.”
SITARA is more than a yacht, she’s a philosophy. A mobile, efficient and beautifully designed way of life. For those seeking a vessel that combines autonomy, design intelligence and full-time liveability, she presents a rare opportunity.
The yachting journey can be complex with many decisions to be made. Get in touch with Ocean Independence, and one of our specialist consultants will help you make the right choices.
As a truly global company with 15 offices worldwide, we’re available 24/7 to help with any enquiries.
