ENTROPY WEARS THE CROWN

Patience Pays Off For Local Club Swan 42 Crew

📸 Cate Brown

Over the past decade, the husband and wife team of Patti Young and Paul Hamilton have gradually moved their young Entropy team up near the top of results at most of the big New England regattas. In mid-July, they scored their first victory at the prestigious Queen’s Cup on their Club Swan 42. And part of the credit for that win has to go to the ongoing support they’ve received from North Sails over the years, Patti says, “North has been very good to us.” In addition to advice about sails, boat modifications, and team building, Max Tringale joined their team even before he became a coveted sail designer, showing up for everything from the local evening summer series to the Bermuda Race. “His mother said to me early on that I’m like his second mom!” Patti laughs. “Max does everything; he’s definitely helped us improve the boat.” When they first started the race program, most of Entropy’s crew were still in their twenties. Now they’re almost all married, helmsman Paul explains, and some are starting families—but still using valuable vacation time to race. “Everybody's kind of stuck with us,” Patti says. “There’s never any yelling—it’s a good program. And these kids are amazing.” Both owners agree that the core group’s dedication and loyalty is their real key to success— though it’s not an all-pro crew, or even the same group from one regatta to the next. “We always bring a few new sailors on board for every race,” Patti says, adding that many are college-age with very little big-boat experience. As navigator, she also helps organize the crew. Over the winter, work parties are followed by pizza and suggestions on improvements for the next season. Though there was talk about replacing the Swan 42’s retractable sprit last year, it wasn’t until right before the Bermuda Race that they finally upgraded it to a fixed sprit designed to handle the loads of Helix headsails. Paul says it’s a good thing they made the change, “because it was a real blow.” After a ninth overall in Bermuda’s Gibbs Hill Division, Entropy returned to Narragansett Bay in time to line up for New York Yacht Club’s Race Week. Consecutive days of racing turned out to be the perfect warmup for the Queen's Cup, which took place the day after Race Week ended. The Queen’s Cup was first awarded in 1953, and it’s won by completing the course in the shortest elapsed time. The list of previous winners reads like a who’s who of each decade’s hot race boats, and includes several America’s Cup yachts as well as Bolero (1954), Running Tide (1970), Tenacious (1981), and Belle Mente (2020). All helms must be category 1 amateurs, and the course must contain reaching legs.

📸 Stuart Wemple

But the race’s biggest twist is its two-minute starting window. “Everyone always wants to start right at the gun, like a hare to hounds,” says Paul. But with fresh memories of the crowded starts at Race Week—and her experience gleaned from previous Queen’s Cups—Patti decreed that they would wait at least a minute to cross the line. “We started with about 45 seconds left in the window,” she says, adding, “I just didn't want to be near anybody.” Though they initially had a little bad air from Fox, a Botin 52 that would eventually finish second, the bigger boat soon left them a clean lane. “After that, the team sailed the boat really well.” The only other Swan 42 racing was Paul Zabetakis’ Impetuous. Patti spotted them up ahead on the first leg, though she’d been too focused on timing Entropy’s start to be sure exactly when the other boat had crossed the line. When they finished ahead of Impetuous, she knew they must’ve done well overall. “That was the only boat we could measure ourselves against.” “I knew we’d sailed a really, really good race,” Paul adds, “but I still didn't think we could beat the TP52s.” Soon after they crossed the finish line, they checked the results—and Patti saw Entropy’s name at the very top. “I screamed! I just couldn’t believe it. I knew we’d sailed really well, but…” “We still thought Fox would get us,” Paul says. “They’re pretty hard to beat.” But it was official; on their eighth attempt, Entropy sailed the Queen’s Cup course in the fastest elapsed time, beating out 23 other boats—almost all of which were bigger than their 42 footer. Asked for the biggest changes to sail inventories in the past decade, Paul says that Helix has been a big step forward. “The structured luff sails are working really well. And nobody was even talking about that ten years ago.” Patti adds that they now frequently sail with a double- and even triple-headsail rig, which has meant adding new halyards—and that new bowsprit. They’ve also put a symmetrical spinnaker pole onboard, to help wing out their largest headsail for the non-spinnaker division of the upcoming NYYC Cruise.

📸 Stuart Wemple

📸 Stuart Wemple

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21 July

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NORTH SAILS COWES WEEK 2026

One of the world’s most iconic annual regattas is set to celebrate its 200th edition in style, and North Sails is proud to be the title partner, with a shared commitment to help deliver an unforgettable week.

14 July

UPF, Quick Dry and Sun Protection Clothing: Everything You Need to Know

Spending more time outdoors naturally means greater exposure to UV rays. Whether you're out on the ocean, up in the mountains, traveling, or just commuting through the city, the sun is a constant companion. That’s why sun-protection clothing has become an essential staple of the modern technical wardrobe. Today's UV-protective garments seamlessly blend high-performance materials, comfort, and versatility. This philosophy drives the North Sails Quick Dry UV Protection line, engineered to brave the elements without sacrificing style or functionality. A lightweight shirt transitions effortlessly from coastal sailing to travel, while a technical t-shirt combines breathability, quick-drying performance, and crucial defense during peak sun hours. What is UV Protection Clothing? UV-protective apparel refers to garments and materials specifically engineered to reduce the amount of ultraviolet radiation that passes through the fabric. These aren’t just typical lightweight summer clothes; they are performance products designed to provide a reliable barrier against sun exposure. This defense stems from the material's unique construction, weave density, fiber composition, or specialized treatments applied to the textile. Rather than replacing sunscreen, sun-protection clothing acts as a vital component of a broader sun safety strategy that includes seeking shade, wearing hats and sunglasses, and applying sunscreen to any exposed skin. When Do You Need UV Protection? The benefits of these garments extend far beyond the beach. Anyone who enjoys sailing, sport fishing, kayaking, or paddleboarding spends hours under direct sunlight, where highly reflective water surfaces significantly intensify UV exposure. Hiking and mountain adventures also demand extra attention. Because UV radiation levels rise with altitude, wearing the right protective gear becomes essential. However, you don't need to be an extreme outdoor athlete to benefit. Road trips, day hikes, bike rides, or simply walking around the city during the summer months are all situations where sun-protection clothing maximizes safety and comfort. What Is UPF and What Does It Stand For in Clothing? To understand how effectively a garment shields you from UV rays, we look at its UPF rating, which stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor. This metric indicates exactly how much UV radiation penetrates a fabric and reaches your skin. It serves as the most reliable technical benchmark to measure a material's protective capacity and define the true meaning of UPF. Backed by rigorous laboratory testing, UPF fabrics allow you to objectively compare the performance of different UV-blocking garments. UPF Meaning: How to Read Sun Protection Levels Understanding UPF ratings is straightforward: the higher the number, the less UV radiation passes through the fabric. UPF 30 blocks about 96.7% of UV rays; UPF 50 blocks approximately 98% of ultraviolet radiation; UPF 50+ represents the highest possible category of sun protection. Today, UPF 50 is the gold standard for outdoor apparel. Because it blocks the vast majority of UV rays without sacrificing comfort or breathability, it is widely used in clothing designed for long days outside, whether you're out on the water or exploring the mountains. UPF vs SPF: What is the Difference? While UPF and SPF are often confused, they actually measure entirely different types of sun protection: UPF applies to fabrics and measures the amount of UV radiation that passes through a material. SPF (Sun Protection Factor) measures the effectiveness of sunscreen applied directly to the skin, primarily focusing on preventing sunburn caused by UVB rays. These two methods are complementary. Sun-protective garments shield the covered parts of your body, but they don't eliminate the need for broad-spectrum sunscreen on exposed skin. The most effective approach recommended by dermatologists is a combination of UV-blocking clothing, hats, sunglasses, shade, and sunscreen. How Does UPF Clothing Work? UPF fabrics are engineered to block radiation using tight weaves and specialized materials that offer far more shielding than standard textiles. Even something as simple as color plays a role, as darker or more vibrant shades tend to absorb more UV radiation than very light colors. These high-performance fabrics are typically woven from synthetic fibers like polyester and nylon, which are inherently lightweight, breathable, and durable. In some cases, the sun protection is built directly into the fiber structure itself; in others, it is enhanced through specialized treatments applied to the fabric. A garment's physical design also plays a major role in overall sun safety. Features like long sleeves, high collars, hoods, and tailored fits provide maximum coverage, shielding a larger surface area of the body without restricting movement or comfort. Quick Dry Meaning and Its Role in Technical Apparel One of the most highly valued features in modern technical apparel is Quick Dry technology, engineered for rapid drying. Through effective moisture management, sweat is pulled away from the skin and dispersed across the garment's surface, allowing it to evaporate much faster. This process helps maintain a fresh, comfortable feel, even on the hottest days or during high-intensity activities. For anyone spending extended time outdoors, from sailing and hiking to summer traveling, rapid drying is a game-changer. That is why quick-drying performance is frequently paired with UV protection in the same gear. While the fabric minimizes UV exposure, its fast-drying nature enhances comfort during active movement and sudden temperature shifts. The result is versatile, lightweight, and highly functional apparel that seamlessly transitions from sports to casual, everyday wear. Quick Dry and UV Protection: North Sails Technology for the Great Outdoors Sun-protection clothing is born from the needs of anyone spending long hours outside, exposed to the sun, wind, and moisture. In the Men’s and Women’s Fast Dry & UV Protection collection, North Sails merges reliable UV shielding with rapid-evaporation fabrics. These pieces are engineered specifically for sailing, hiking, water sports, and warm-weather outdoor adventures. While rooted in North Sails' nautical expertise and integrating technologies developed for technical sailing clothing, these pieces are designed to adapt seamlessly to a wide range of outdoor activities. A quick-dry polo shirt is just as perfect for a day on deck as it is for a summer hike, maintaining optimal comfort as the temperature and humidity climb. Long-sleeve shirts offer excellent layering potential, providing lightweight coverage when the sun peaks or the weather turns unpredictable. UV-protection shorts, pants, and hats complete the system, protecting highly exposed areas during trekking, sailing, or simply enjoying life outside. This deep focus on fabric performance is woven directly into the history of North Sails. Since its inception in the world of competitive sailing, the brand has developed gear built to withstand the elements, combining technical innovation, functionality, and comfort for anyone who loves the water and an active lifestyle. How to Choose Your UPF Clothing Choosing the right sun-protection clothing depends largely on your activity level and how much time you spend outside. Generally, you'll want to look for pieces that combine certified protection with comfort, breathability, freedom of movement, and high-quality materials. Before picking out your next piece of gear, check for: Certified UPF 50 or UPF 50+ ratings The level of coverage offered by the design Advanced breathability and quick-dry properties Suitability for your specific outdoor activities Premium fabric quality and durable construction When sun exposure is combined with water and wind, UPF swimwear, rash guards, and technical shirts become essential. They shield vulnerable areas and maximize comfort whether you're sailing, surfing, paddleboarding, hiking, or swimming. Combining UV protection and quick-dry technology results in lightweight, practical garments that are ready for any activity. For those who love the water, the mountains, or traveling, these technologies offer a seamless way to unite performance, convenience, and comfort during every outdoor adventure. READ MORE