March 11, 2025

Debbie Lou: A Lifelong Passion for Boating Leads to the Dream Horizon P105 Yacht

Lifelong boaters Louis and Debra Chenevert built their dream yacht, the Horizon P105 *Debbie Lou*, to create lasting family memories on the water for generations to come.

For Louis Chenevert, life on the water has always been a defining part of family life. Growing up, summers spent on a lake north of Montreal instilled in him a love for boating—one that only deepened as he built a life with his wife, Debra, and their two daughters.

Louis’ passion for the open water took on new meaning when his younger brother purchased a Bayliner 29’, rekindling memories of their childhood. Inspired by the joy of spending time on the water, he and Debra set out to create similar experiences for their own family.

While working as President of Pratt & Whitney and living in Farmington, Connecticut, Louis’ demanding schedule made time with loved ones precious. To make the most of it, he purchased a Hatteras RPH 63, opening up new adventures from Westbrook, Connecticut to the New York Statue of Liberty, Nantucket, and beyond.

After taking a Connecticut boating class and discovering his love for piloting and docking, Louis brought on a full-time captain to maintain the boat while he focused on enhancing its features.

A family trip to the Bahamas in 2005 exposed the need for a more stable vessel with greater comfort for long voyages, leading Louis and Debra on the search for a new yacht.

Their priority was a spacious design with stabilizers, a sun pad for their daughters and friends, a closed bridge day head, and a swim platform. After exploring various brands, a meeting with Horizon Yachts Director Roger Sowerbutts convinced them that Horizon’s flexibility in design and engineering made it the perfect fit.

What began as an 82’ model soon evolved into an 85’ Horizon, complete with an enclosed skybridge, stabilizers, and larger CAT engines. Encouraged by conversations with other Horizon owners and impressed by the passion of Horizon’s Taiwan-based engineering team, Louis felt confident in his choice.

Delivered in late 2006, Debbie Lou became the heart of their family’s time on the water, with trips spanning the British Virgin Islands and their favorite East Coast destinations.

By 2013, with a growing family and more grandchildren joining their excursions, Louis and Debra set their sights on an even larger yacht—the Horizon P105 Tri-Deck.

Prioritizing safety and comfort, they included triple railings, Lexan on the upper deck, and a spacious country kitchen seating ten for cozy New England mornings. The Debbie Lou was designed to be their final yacht, built to perfection for years of family adventures.

Now, their journeys aboard Debbie Lou take them from Newport, Rhode Island to Martha’s Vineyard, Sag Harbor, and their winter home in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Docked at the historic Vinoy Marina, the yacht quickly became a local landmark, drawing admiration for its elegant design. Each year, the family marks their daughter Sophie’s birthday with a voyage to Newport, where she met her husband, and they fondly recall Lisa’s wedding in Mystic, Connecticut.

From wakeboarding and tubing behind their 18’ tender to paddleboarding and kayaking with their grandchildren, time on Debbie Lou is filled with cherished moments.

When asked what he would change if he built another yacht, Louis’ answer is simple: “Nothing.” With its tri-deck design, advanced technology, and classic interior, the Horizon P105 has exceeded every expectation.

For Louis and Debra, Debbie Lou is more than just a yacht—it’s their dream retirement home on the water, where they’ll continue creating unforgettable memories with their family for years to come.