Marblehead
The leading woven cruising sailcloth, available now in Virgin and Recycled Fiber
Technology
Marblehead gets its name from the East-Coast sailing town of Marblehead, Massachusetts. Challenge was asked to develop the highest quality woven for the most demanding and quality conscious sailors. As many sailors know, a boat is fast when its sail keeps its air-foil shape! When a sail stretches and loses its shape, it starts to luff and flutter and does not sail as fast. As a company, Challenge Sailcloth focuses on woven technology. We have not invested in membrane technology, and have continued our pursuit of the best sailcloth. Our philosophy is to make weaves that rely on the strength of their proprietary fibers and constructions.
What matters most for a strong and durable sailcloth is the number of yarn crossings. In a woven fabric yarns pass over the first fiber and curve under the next, ‘locking’ them into each other. It is these yarn crossings, or ‘Interlockings™’, which resist shape distortion. Challenge developed Fiber 104 with the sole intention of creating a fabric with most Fiber Interlockings. When Fiber 104 is woven in both directions of a sailcloth, it leads to a sail that relies on the strength of a tight, dense weave, rather than short-term chemical finishes. It allows sailmakers to design with lighter fabrics in heavier applications. This Interlock technology created Marblehead.
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As boat design has evolved and rigs have modernized, it has become obvious that a more balanced AP weave would best suit today’s boats and cruising applications, and make for easier decision making for both salesman and designers. Marblehead AP maintains the same technology and philosophy of our proven and trusted Marblehead LA and HA materials.
What matters most for a strong and durable sailcloth is the number of yarn crossings. In a woven fabric yarns pass over the first fiber and curve under the next, ‘locking’ them into each other. It is these yarn crossings, or ‘Interlockings™’, which resist shape distortion. Challenge developed Fiber 104 with the sole intention of creating a fabric with most fiber interlockings.
When Fiber 104 is woven in both directions of a sailcloth, it leads to a sail that relies on the strength of a tight, dense weave, rather than short-term chemical finishes. It allows sailmakers to design with lighter fabrics in heavier applications. This Interlock technology created Marblehead.
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5.42 Marblehead AP 150 x 350
6.42 Marblehead AP 220 x 420
7.42 Marblehead AP 275 x 570
8.42 Marblehead AP 350 x 700
9.42 Marblehead AP 350 x 1000
10.42 Marblehead AP 440 x 1300
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Long term performance for cruising sails
Long term UV resistance
Ease of Handling
Low stretch / high modulus due to finishing techniques
Decades of proven performance a life quality on the water
D5.42
D6.42
D7.42
D8.42
D9.42
D10.42
D6.47 Recycled
D7.47 Recycled
D8.47 Recycled
D9.47 Recycled
Marblehead powers the world’s leading yachts
Marblehead was designed and used on the Maltese Falcon by legendary Sailmaker Robbie Doyle. The super tight weaves, long term performance, and durability of the constructions power the yacht. The same fabric used in the maltese falcon is available for yachts ranging from 20-70 feet in single ply, and larger in 2 ply.
Decades of Proven Quality
Thousands of yachts have traveled the world, won coastal sailing races, or enjoyed weekend getaways with Marblehead.
Marblehead Recycled
The superior constructions of Marblehead, now available with recycled fiber. Challenge has taken years of Research and Development and applied Ecopak Technology to Marblehead.
Marblehead Recycled will be available from January 2023.