Chris and Robert Desino and 116 Crescent M/Y UNBRIDLED

Posted October 1, 2015 in Lifestyle by Janine St.Denis

Growing up along the banks of upstate New York’s finger lakes, brothers Chris and Robert Desino have been boating since their youth. When they moved to Florida, they saw the perfect opportunity to rekindle their childhood passion as adults. Chris and Robert bought the 116-foot Crescent motor yacht UNBRIDLED in 2014. She was originally built in 1994, but the brothers had big plans for their new yacht. In 2015, she underwent an extensive refit at Lauderdale Marine Center by a specialized team that oversaw that the work performed on UNBRIDLED was completed to the highest possible specification and level of craftsmanship.

In 2010, UNBRIDLED (under previous ownership and a different name) underwent a comprehensive interior refit to the tune of $5 million. The 2015 refit replaced all the yacht’s interior and exterior soft goods. In addition, the salon was reconfigured and now offers a theater-quality screen and U-shaped couch for movies and entertaining.

The hull color was changed, a Jacuzzi, Jet Skis and towed tender were added and all hard surfaces outside were redone, leaving the yacht in incredible condition. Her new interior look is modern; the chic styling and comfortable furnishings will have guests falling in love.

According to Chris, the refit’s biggest accomplishment was the overall appearance and atmosphere on board. “She is now sleek and sexy. Anyone who walks through thinks she is brand new. She is the only boat of her size that I have been through that’s had a proper full refit.”

Refits can be tricky, especially for first-time yacht owners; and refits most definitely can have their pitfalls, but the brothers were able to put the right yacht in the right yard to make their dreams a reality. Chris’s best piece of advice for new owners going through the refit process: “Have patience. Be realistic with the time it will take and add fifty percent to the projected budget number.”

Thanks to their beautiful “like-new” yacht, Chris and Robert have fallen in love with yachting. “The reason we love yachting at this level is the ability to explore new ports,” says Chris. “And we love the ability to live with five-star comfort and service in even the most remote areas.”

Chris and Robert have owned boats before, including a 72-foot Sunseeker, but nothing like UNBRIDLED. She has such panache, a certain je ne sais quoi that will entice her charter clients to come back time and time again. Yes, UNBRIDLED will be chartering.

Motor yacht UNBRIDLED toys

Despite the fact that Chris and Robert had never chartered before, they made the decision to charter out UNBRIDLED. “The primary reason for this is that we are very busy and like to also enjoy our other residences, including a horse farm in Florida, as well as a place in Manhattan,” says Chris.

“We enjoy our farm and taking in the city and since we have a top-notch, full-time crew of five, by chartering her out it allows us to go enjoy our other facets of life, guilt-free. We have not had her available for charter for very long, but her schedule is already filling up quite quickly. We could not be any happier with UNBRIDLED or with our Northrop & Johnson Charter Manager Amy Wachman.”

UNBRIDLED will spend her summer chartering in New England. Her winter charter grounds will be the Caribbean; she’s available in the fall and spring in The Bahamas.

Jet Ski being unloaded off UNBRIDLED

Thanks to her impressive refit, UNBRIDLED is in perfect condition to accommodate charter guests. “From what I have been told, she is very stylish, and her interior is not like every other boat in her price range,” says Chris.

“She is much more cosmopolitan. UNBRIDLED is stocked with every water sport you can imagine and, most importantly, she has one of the industry’s top chefs.”

Despite the fact that UNBRIDLED will be chartered out, the Desino brothers still intend to make the most of their favorite new toy. “We love her,” says Chris. “We intend to use her for one or two weeks every six weeks or so.” Chris maintains that their favorite aspect of UNBRIDLED
is her impressive aesthetic. “She’s beautiful inside and out,” he says.

For now, the Desino brothers are just beginning to explore the world via yacht, “We have just started using her up north and we are greatly enjoying it. We look forward to seeing the Caribbean from UNBRIDLED’s perspective this winter.”

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