Supporting the Challenge 72 Fleet: Custom Sail Covers for Challenger 5

Supporting the Challenge 72 Fleet: Custom Sail Covers for Challenger 5

At GP Sails, we take pride in producing durable, functional sail covers for working yachts that sail hard and serve an even greater purpose. One of our most rewarding ongoing projects has been supporting the Challenge 72 fleet, operated by the Tall Ships Youth Trust, with bespoke sail cover solutions designed to withstand heavy use while remaining practical and easy to handle.

Our latest delivery for the fleet is a custom Stack Pack for Challenger 5, continuing our long-standing involvement with these iconic ocean-going yachts.

Sail Covers Built for Purpose

The Challenge 72 yachts are renowned for their robustness, global voyages and demanding sailing programmes. Originally built for the BT Global Challenge round-the-world races, they now play a vital role in youth development sailing, offering young people life-changing experiences at sea.

This makes reliability essential. Sail covers for the fleet must be:

  • Hard-wearing and weather resistant
  • Easy to use by rotating crews
  • Designed to protect sails during frequent hoists, drops and reefing
  • Built to last through multiple seasons of intensive sailing

Our sailmaking and canvas team understands these demands, ensuring every cover is designed with real-world operation in mind.

A New Stack Pack for Challenger 5

The latest project saw GP Sails design and manufacture a Stack Pack for Challenger 5, tailored specifically to the yacht’s boom, lazy jack geometry and sail handling setup.

This Stack Pack delivers:

  • Faster and safer mainsail stowage
  • Reduced wear on the sail
  • Improved deck organisation for trainees and crew
  • A clean, professional finish in keeping with the fleet

As with all our Challenge 72 work, the focus was on practicality, longevity and ease of use — key factors when yachts are sailed by changing crews with mixed experience levels.

Proud to Support the Tall Ships Youth Trust

The Tall Ships Youth Trust (TSYT) is a UK-based maritime charity dedicated to empowering young people through sailing. By providing offshore voyages aboard vessels like the Challenge 72 fleet, TSYT helps young people build confidence, teamwork and leadership skills — often for the first time.

We’re proud that our work contributes, in a small but meaningful way, to keeping these yachts operational, safe and ready for sea.

You can learn more about their incredible work here:
👉 https://tallships.org

Marine Canvas You Can Rely On

From Stack Packs and sail covers to full custom marine canvas solutions, GP Sails has extensive experience working with:

  • Sail training organisations
  • Offshore yachts
  • Commercial and charity-operated vessels

Every project is built in-house, using proven materials and construction techniques suited to tough marine environments.

If you’d like to discuss sail covers or canvas work for your yacht or organisation, visit us at:
👉 https://www.gpsails.co.uk

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