Debbie Lou owners share how their lifelong love for boating and the cherished family memories from their journeys on the water led them to build their dream yacht, a Horizon P105.

From a young age, life on the water has always been an integral part of family life for Louis Chenevert. Spending summer weekends on a lake north of Montreal instilled in Louis a love for the water, boating and the memories that were created with his loved ones, sharing meals and stories together on the water.

Later in life, Louis’ younger brother bought a Bayliner 29’ and used it on the same lake that they both frequented with their family as children. Louis loved the sound and torque of the Chevy small-block engine and appreciated how fast and quiet it was. He and his wife, Debra, cherished their time on the boat with his brother and all the special memories they created. Once their two daughters were born and they were able to share with them their love of boating, they knew that they wanted to create the same memories and experiences with their daughters on their own vessel.

While Louis was working as President of Pratt & Whitney and living in Farmington, Connecticut, his busy schedule limited his time with his family, and he wanted to be able to create lasting memories with his wife, daughters, extended family and friends with the time they did share together. Living only 40 minutes from Long Island Sound, Louis decided that it was time to purchase his first family boat and was soon the owner of a Hatteras RPH 63.

“I marveled at all the machinery, technology and new places to discover from Westbrook, Connecticut to the New York Statue of Liberty, Port Washington, Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, and the list goes on,” stated Louis. “The new opportunity with this boat was that it could be in Florida or the Bahamas, so we would be looking forward to special moments with our daughters and friends from high school year-round.”

Once Louis and Debra completed the basic boating class that is required in the state of Connecticut, Louis discovered his love for driving the boat and especially docking. He also hired a full-time captain to maintain the boat and systems as his goal was to improve the boat whenever something needed attention.

After a family trip to the Bahamas in 2005, and encountering rough sea conditions, Louis and Debra decided that they needed a boat with stabilizers and more room for their family. They began the search to find the perfect boat, with hopes of having features like a spacious sun pad for their daughters to spend time with their friends, a day head on the closed bridge and a swim platform. After looking at a few different brands, and then meeting with Horizon Yachts Director, Roger Sowerbutts, Horizon Yachts quickly became the preferred manufacturer because of the design team’s willingness to adjust layouts and features to meet their needs. They soon began building an 82’ Horizon model that became an 85’ Horizon with an enclosed skybridge, stabilizers and bigger CAT engines.

While building the 85’ Horizon, Roger Sowerbutts suggested that Louis connect with current Horizon owners and Louis stated that his exchanges with the owners were always positive.

After his first visit to Taiwan, Louis was introduced to John Lu and the team of engineers, and he quickly recognized their capabilities and passion to meet his design and building needs. In late 2006, Debbie Lou was delivered, and they began to create wonderful memories with their daughters, and soon husbands, on their travels. They began welcoming grandchildren and some trips to the British Virgin Islands and other special trips throughout the year allowed the family to gather together on the boat and it soon became their favorite gathering place.

In 2013, with the family growing and more grandchildren joining them on their excursions, Louis and Debra decided it was time to build a larger boat, and they set their sights on the Horizon P105 Tri-deck, which allowed for the addition of special rooms for the grandchildren and upgraded safety features, like a triple rail and Lexan on the upper deck rails. They also envisioned a large country kitchen to seat 10 people to accommodate for cooler mornings in New England.

Once the design and details were finalized, Louis and Debra knew that their new Horizon P105 Tri-Deck, which they named Debbie Lou, would be their last boat and because of the ability of the Horizon Yachts Team to accommodate their requests, they knew that they could design and build this boat to be the boat of their dreams.

Their favorite places to journey on Debbie Lou include Newport, Rhode Island, Martha’s Vineyard, Maine, Sag Harbor, Greenport, and Port Jefferson in New York. The summer months are spent at their home port in Westbrook, Connecticut and during the winter months, they head south to St. Petersburg, Florida, where Debbie Lou is docked at the historical Vinoy Marina at the private Pasadena Yacht & Country Club. Her grand presence quickly caught the attention of the locals who marvel at her exquisite design and details, and she soon became a popular landmark on the dock. It’s common for Louis and Debra to be asked about Debbie Lou’s whereabouts while she’s away for the summer months.

Every year, on their daughter Sophie’s birthday, they journey on Debbie Lou to Newport, Rhode Island, which was the site where Sophie met her husband at a Hatteras Rendezvous years earlier. They reminisce about their wedding at the historic Rosecliff Mansion. Their other daughter Lisa was married at the Mystic Aquarium in Mystic, Connecticut and they also enjoy visiting and exploring the quaint town.

Their family loves to tube and wakeboard behind their 18’ diesel tender and the grandkids love to paddle board, kayak, and enjoy taking the wheel and running the boat. The family always looks forward to their time aboard Debbie Lou and traveling to their favorite places, while enjoying that special feeling of having a home away from home.

Louis is often asked what he would change on Debbie Lou if he ever decided to build a new boat, and his answer is always “Nothing!”

From the tri-deck design to the OctoPlex Digital Switching system, Autronica Fire and Security AS, and classic interior, Louis believes that Horizon truly delivered on all expectations. He believes that his relationship with Roger and the dedication and attention to detail from the Horizon Team in the U.S. and Taiwan, were the perfect combination to start building his dream yacht. Louis and Debra are confident that their Horizon P105 Debbie Lou is the “retirement yacht of their dreams,” and they envision many more great years aboard with their family.