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Insuring A.J. van Heygen: cover and premium
sailing boats and sailing yachts · several countries
A.J. van Heygen: belgian builder of cruising and racing sailing yachts. NAMMERT insures a A.J. van Heygen regardless of year built or where you bought it, liability, hull, legal expenses and personal accident cover from one house, taken out online in five minutes.
At a glance
Origin
several countries
Class
sailing boats and sailing yachts
Typical sizes
7,4 to 12,5 m
Premium from
from €39 a year for liability
Worth knowing
A.J. van Heygen; cover, cost and conditions
Bootbouwerij Van Heygen was based in Boom on the river Rupel, in the province of Antwerp. The Belgian yard is known for its Spirit yachts, fast cruisers that could also be raced, drawn by the designer Jac. de Ridder. The Spirit 32, to take one example, measures 9.50 by 3.18 metres with a draft of 1.80 metres. A broker's overview names the Spirit 29, 32, 36, 37 and 41 as the core of the line built at Boom. The idea behind the name stayed the same for four decades: a yacht for cruising that still sails quickly, offered again and again in new sizes.
Our model records list ten designs: eight sailing yachts and two smaller sailing boats. The earliest entries date from 1965: the Horizon, the Spirit 24 and the Westhinder. The Westhinder, at 9.4 metres, is recorded until 1972, the Horizon until 1996. The Spirit line grows over the decades from the Spirit 24 at 7.4 metres through the Spirit 28, Spirit 29 and Spirit 32 to the Spirit 36 and Spirit 37 at 11.3 metres each, and finally the Spirit 41 and the Spirit 42.5, which at 12.5 metres is the largest boat. The latest build years in the list end in 2005, and no line continues to the present. Almost every Van Heygen yacht is therefore twenty years old or more, many considerably older.
On a yacht of this age, condition matters far more than the build year. Start with the keel bolts and the joint between keel and hull, since boats meant to be raced were often sailed hard. Look for soft spots in the deck around stanchions and fittings, where water may have found its way into the laminate over decades. Chainplates and the mast step carry the rig loads and deserve a close inspection. Standing rigging older than about ten years is usually due for renewal, whatever it looks like. Engines in boats from the seventies and eighties have often been replaced, so ask for the date and the paperwork. A Spirit that has had this kind of attention can still give a lot of pleasure under sail.
Questions and answers
Frequent questions
Which is the largest Spirit?
For A.J.
van Heygen: The Spirit 42.5 at 12.5 metres, recorded from 1998 to 2005.
Just behind it is the Spirit 41 at 12.17 metres.
Which are the oldest Van Heygen designs?
For A.J.
van Heygen: The Horizon, the Spirit 24 and the Westhinder all start with build year 1965 in our
model records.
The Westhinder is listed only until 1972, the Spirit 24 until 1990 and the Horizon until 1996.
The cover that fits
sailing yacht insurance
Tariffs, cover and FAQ for sailing yacht insurance in detail.
Third-party liability
The foundation for a boat from A.J.
van Heygen: damage to third parties, worldwide, from €39 a year for liability.
Hull cover
Partial or full hull cover for a A.J.
van Heygen, at replacement value with an agreed fixed value.
For the whole class of boat
For A.J.
van Heygen: What matters for sailing boats and sailing yachts is the same across every brand;
engine output, how a claim is settled, cruising range and theft protection.
The class page lists every point and every brand in this class, A.J.
van Heygen included.
Insuring sailing boats and sailing yachts, every brand and every condition
Other builders in this class
Nautical information What counts before you cast off, papers, equipment, waters
Licence
A powerboat licence (inland or coastal) is required from 15 hp (11.03 kW).
Registration
Registration from 3 hp; for trips abroad carry the boat certificate or flag document.
Waters
Inland, coastal and abroad; plan fairways, bridge clearances, draught and tides.
Equipment
Lifesaving gear, fire extinguisher, anchor, signalling equipment and correct navigation lights.
Cruising range
The agreed cruising range is stated in the policy and can be extended at any time.
Weather
Check wind force in Beaufort and wind direction before casting off, and allow for gusts.
General guidance, not a complete account;
what governs are the rules of the waters you are on and the manual of your A.J.
van Heygen.
Current wind force and direction for your waters are shown on the Home.
Series by A.J. van Heygen, build years and cover
Spirit 37 is a sailing yacht from A.J.
van Heygen, built from 1994 to 2005.
Also a sailing yacht, built from 1991 to 2005.
Also a sailing yacht, built from 1998 to 2005.
Also a sailing yacht, built from 1974 to 1999.
Also a sailing yacht, built from 1983 to 1999.
Horizon is a sailing boat from A.J.
van Heygen, built from 1965 to 1996.
Also a sailing yacht, built from 1968 to 1994.
Also a sailing yacht, built from 1977 to 1994.
Spirit 24 is a sailing boat from A.J.
van Heygen, built from 1965 to 1990.
Westhinder is a sailing yacht from A.J.
van Heygen, built from 1965 to 1972.
For the Spirit 37, Spirit 41 and Spirit 42.5 by A.J.
van Heygen series the market value and the replacement cost often differ widely.
An agreed value removes the age-based scale, and the figure in the policy stands.
For the Spirit 32, Spirit 36, Horizon by A.J.
van Heygen and 4 more series there is no list price left.
That is why we work with an agreed value: you state the figure, we agree it,
and in a total loss exactly that amount is paid, with no deduction for wear.
For the Spirit 37, Spirit 41, Spirit 42.5 by A.J.
van Heygen and further series: On sailing yachts the rig and the underwater hull are the expensive
parts: a dismasting quickly costs a quarter of the boat,
and osmosis counts as wear and is covered by no hull policy.
For the Horizon, Spirit 24 by A.J.
van Heygen series: On boats this size the condition of rig and fittings decides.
A dismasting is covered, worn terminals after years are not.
The A.J. van Heygen range in figures
These figures come from the model records we keep for A.J.
van Heygen: boat type, build years and length, nothing estimated.
- sailing yacht
- 8 models, 1965 to 2005, 8.5 to 12.5 m
- sailing boat
- 2 models, 1965 to 1996, 7.4 m
Which model was built when?
What does a used A.J. van Heygen cost?
We hold today’s price ranges by year for 9 models by A.J.
van Heygen.
The table shows what boats in average condition are worth,
from the oldest to the youngest year on record.
Choose your exact model, year and condition in the calculator.
| Model | Years built | Range today |
|---|---|---|
| Horizon | 1968 to 1993 | €6,900 to €17,900 |
| Spirit 28 | 1971 to 1991 | €9,200 to €19,900 |
| Spirit 29 | 1980 to 1991 | €11,800 to €23,300 |
| Spirit 32 | 1977 to 1996 | €18,400 to €41,000 |
| Spirit 36 | 1986 to 1996 | €41,500 to €70,400 |
| Spirit 37 | 1997 to 2000 | €47,000 to €64,900 |
| Spirit 41 | 1994 to 2000 | €56,600 to €82,900 |
| Spirit 42.5 | 2001 to 2002 | €73,500 to €96,800 |
| Westhinder | 1968 to 1969 | €15,200 to €19,400 |
Estimate from our boat records, October 2026.
Not a survey.
A.J. van Heygen insured in five minutes.
Boat type, year built, length and value of your A.J.
van Heygen are all we need.
Work out the premium online or call us: +49 3375 29 12 77.
