“Each of us carries a curiosity to explore what lies beyond the horizon”

Thierry’s journey towards the creation of Deo Juvante was influenced by a lifetime of diverse experiences. The youngest of six children in a Belgian family, Thierry enjoyed a great deal of freedom in his youth. Over the years, that little seed grew into an eagerness for new adventures. “After completing my military service, I pursued the dream of becoming a truck driver. I still remember driving through the snow in Norway, which marked the beginning of my first genuine adventures”, Thierry recalls. “At the age of 23, I founded my own trucking company, managing it for 30 years. What started with me driving trucks grew into a business with 350 employees spread across seven locations, with a focus on logistics and distribution networks. It was a rewarding and fulfilling time. Meanwhile I was involved in many exciting pursuits like racing motorcycles, GT3 cars and Formula Renault cars. I also embarked on a solo 40-day Atlantic crossing in a 56-foot sailing boat. On another adventure, I cycled from my home in Belgium to Santiago de Compostella as a pelgrim, covering 2,188 kilometers across France and Spain. Each experience was unforgettable.”

During Thierry’s adventures, his worldview broadened and formed the foundation for what would become Deo Juvante. “In 2019, I sold the company and shifted my focus to world cruising. I had once seen Europe as the center of everything, but my worldwide experiences opened my mind to new perspectives and deepened my appreciation for life. Broadening your perspective can make you think about new possibilities and experience life outside the box. And that’s what Deo Juvante is all about: a different way of living.”

Exciting moments only become stronger when you can experience them together with your loved ones. From the beginning, Thierry therefore envisioned a yacht on which to live a comfortable and diverse life. A lifestyle that he himself can more than attest to. “In 2019, fueled by my passion for the sea and years of sailing experience, my family and I embarked on a world tour. This journey offered us a completely different way of living. For instance, when we set off, our children were only 8 and 10 years old. We started by crossing the Atlantic, exploring the Caribbean and navigating the Panama Canal. While at sea, we homeschooled our children, balancing daily lessons with the adventure of cruising.”

The voyage took Thierry, his family and his crew to Tahiti, New Zealand, Indonesia, Japan, Alaska and Canada, where the children often had the chance to attend local schools. “It is an extraordinary opportunity that gives them a worldly education. At sea, there’s no distinction between rich or poor, young or old, religious or free-spirited. Children have an incredible ability to adapt and quickly feel at home in any environment. We settled into a family life on the water, nearly forgetting the option of returning to Belgium and living a more traditional lifestyle. Wherever we are in the world, we remain connected to the world thanks to the latest communication tools. Deo Juvante makes it possible for adventurers to bring a new life within reach. For us, Deo Juvante is home.”

As an entrepreneur and seasoned sailor, Thierry has navigated everything from small boats to large vessels, exploring the world and embracing his different way of life. His passion for the water, entrepreneurial spirit and extensive experience with both sailing vessels and motor yachts inspired the creation of the Deo Juvante range. “Our yachts are built for ocean crossings and extended stays at anchor, with everything you need for a comfortable life on board without losing touch with the outside world. Communication is possible thanks to the latest technologies, which offers the chance to work remotely, homeschool children and enjoy a self-sufficient lifestyle.”

“Designed by and for world explorers, Deo Juvante offers a 24-meter catamaran with impressive volume. Its excellent hull ensures outstanding sea handling, both downwind and upwind. The yacht boasts amazing features, including extended swim steps, private access to the VIP room, a separate entrance for the crew, a spacious design and abundant natural light”, Thierry explains. 

When at sea, many factors come into play, and the Deo Juvante yachts are designed with these in mind: “We’ve incorporated redundancy, advanced electric systems and solar power, all shaped by our hands-on experience and the top-tier naval architecture from LOMOcean. The yacht can be equipped with kite propulsion, a hybrid design that introduces a new and challenging approach to sailing. This system helps reduce RPMs and harnesses the power of the wind, lowering fuel consumption. One by one, these elements ensure that every Deo Juvante yacht is both unique and reliable, providing the opportunity to confidently live life on the water. To ensure a completely clear and comfortable process, our team accompanies people through the entire building procedure and, if necessary, their first activities on the water.”

With his innovative yachts, Thierry wants to give other people the opportunity to become one with the world and immerse themselves in a new lifestyle. "In our minds, the horizon is often seen as a distant line, with a question mark right behind it. Each of us carries a curiosity to explore what lies beyond that line”, Thierry states. “When we open up to the world and step outside our comfort zones, we not only discover what’s out there but also learn a great deal about ourselves and our potential. It takes courage to venture into the unknown, not knowing where the journey will take you or what you’ll encounter. But the reward is a life rich in meeting new people, enjoying a worldly education and experiencing a deeper connection with nature and other cultures.”