Palma Ultra
ULtra PE Enhanced Cruise Laminates
Technology
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Our new Palma Cruise Laminate line are cutting edge, UPE enhanced fabrics specifically designed for modern cruising boats and sailors who are interested in performance and good sail shape while enjoying their leisure time on the water. Cruisers like to go fast as well!
UPE is short for UHMWPE, which is an acronym for the chemical name of branded fibers like Spectra and Dyneema. UPE is a high modulus fiber like aramid (Kevlar) and carbon fiber. This means the fiber is very low stretch, which is important for good shape holding, the key to boat speed. But unlike Aramid and carbon, UPE fiber is very tough and durable. It is exceptional in UV (much better than Dacron), hydrophobic (does not absorb water), and all but impossible to cut or tear, making it the perfect high modulus fiber for cruising sailcloth. The result is a high performance sail able to carry high loads without sail shape distortion, and at the same time being extremely durable and long lasting.
Environmentally, Palma sets the standard by which all other laminate sailcloth will be judged. 100% recycled polyester fiber and recycled film. Challenge uses a proprietary adhesive system that contains no PFAS's or solvents to bond all the materials together. Our adhesive system also leads the industry in both adhesion and weathering. At Challenge we focus on maximizing the use of recycled materials, eliminating forever chemicals, and building the most sustainable products.
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Five styles with increasing density of warp fiber inserts.
Polyester taffetas on both sides, which increase in weight on the heavier styles, for better abrasion and UV resistance.
Low stretch.
High durability.
High percentage of re-cycled materials
No solvents or PFAS chemicals
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Environmentally, Palma sets the standard by which all other laminate sailcloth will be judged. 100% recycled polyester fiber and recycled film. Challenge uses a proprietary adhesive system that contains no PFAS's or solvents to bond all the materials together. Our adhesive system also leads the industry in both adhesion and weathering. At Challenge we focus on maximizing the use of recycled materials, eliminating forever chemicals, and building the most sustainable products.
By Using UHMWPE, this material blows away other polyester-only cruising laminates.
Palma Ultra = White Fiber
Palma is a composite laminate made with Recycled white rPET and white Ultra PE. The visual appearance is a full white sail.
PalmaTec Ultra = Black Fiber
Palma- Tec is a composite laminate made with recycled Black rPET and Black Ultra PE. Palma Tec has a tighter X scrim. The visual appearance is a technical carbon-looking sail with a grey shade.
Palma 6 UPE
Palma 9 UPE
Palma 13 UPE
Palma 18 UPE
Palma 24 UPE
Palma-Tec 6 UPE
Palma-Tec 9 UPE
Palma-Tec 13 UPE
Palma-Tec 18 UPE
Palma-Tec 24 UPE
Sustainable Trifecta
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Recycled Fiber
ECOPAK™ is the world’s only composite fabric made with 100% recycled fiber and film. Constructed with REPREVE® rPET fiber, our fabric lasts longer, absorbs 80% less moisture, and has better UV resistance.
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Non-Toxic Adhesive
These materials are laminated into composite fabrics, using our proprietary adhesive, which does not contain toxic solvents or VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds). Others laminate with solvent-based adhesives long with energy-intensive drying ovens. They may claim to be ‘carbon neutral’ by buying carbon-offsets after polluting; Challenge has taken the progressive step of eliminating harmful chemicals from the start!
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Recycled Film
The proprietary Challenge RUV™ film backing is 100% recycled and 97% UV resistant. Challenge RUV™ lasts 5 times longer in the sun than conventional film used in other fabrics - a big breakthrough in extending performance
Palma Tec
A video of Palma Tec (Formerly known as XRP Cruise) in Denmark.
The Future is Now, and it Can’t Wait.
The legacy of Challenge Sailcloth spans four generations in the sailing textile industry. In 1917, our family founded Howe and Bainbridge, one of the first sailcloth companies in the USA. In the 1930s, DuPont® invented synthetic polyester and nylon fibers which we used to create the first Cordura® nylon mainsail cloth. Moving from tar-impregnated cotton sails to technical synthetic textiles started a new era of sailboat racing and innovation. We’ve been leaders at the forefront of textile innovation for over 100 years. Looking forward, our focus is entirely on sustainability within the textile industry.
In 2020, Challenge Sailcloth launched a new company called Challenge Outdoor, spearheaded by world champion sailor and technical textiles expert, Hale Walcoff. Hale had a vision to produce light, durable, and UV resistant materials for the outdoor sports industry using 100% recycled polyester. He wanted to produce fabrics that were best in class for the industry while being environmentally friendly. Challenge Outdoor is dedicated to reducing real-world carbon emissions and promoting clean textile technology. As outdoor enthusiasts, it is our duty to tackle the climate crisis.
This project would not have been possible as recently as five years ago, because recycled and natural component manufacturers had not achieved the performance levels required in strenuous and demanding outdoor sports. Thankfully, the global community demanded green tech, and the investment followed. Moving full speed ahead, our development efforts will be focused on sustainable innovation across our product lines. This is our new race against the clock and a challenge to the industry. Solving the climate crisis requires world-wide collaboration and we welcome you to get on board.
Sustainability Starts with You
Energy-Efficient Manufacturing
Our laminates are produced at eco-friendly facilities powered by hydroelectric energy.
Our innovative manufacturing system eliminates expensive and energy intensive drying ovens, hot rooms for curing, and many other processes needed to laminate Nylon and Polyester with solvent-based adhesive.