North Sails Zenda Launches Full-Service Sail Loft at Melges Headquarters

Thirty years after Harry Melges III first opened a sail loft at the family's Wisconsin headquarters, North Sails Zenda is back. The relaunched full-service loft, a partnership between Melges Performance Sailboats and North Sails, was announced March 9, 2026, with a clear mandate: repairs, recuts, tuning support, measurements, modifications, and new sail orders, all under one roof in Zenda, WI.

Leading the relaunch are Cate Muller-Terhune and North Sails veteran Allan Terhune Jr, who bring what North Sails president Ken Read described as a "long and very successful history" with the brand. On the shop floor, Trevor Trepton heads day-to-day service operations, bringing what Melges calls "hands-on class knowledge and a racer's perspective to every sail that comes through the loft."

The appeal for One Design sailors is straightforward: the same team that builds the boats is now the team repairing and tuning the sails. For Melges 24 owners, Scow sailors, and anyone racing under Melges-managed class rules, that continuity matters at every stage, from initial measurements to regatta-week recuts.

Read welcomed the relaunch with clear strategic intent. "Welcome back to North Sails Zenda, which strengthens our One Design infrastructure and expands our ability to serve inland lake sailors and competitive fleets worldwide," he said. "North Sails has a lot of history with Melges boats and the Melges family, both synonymous with exceptional performance sailing. This joint effort signals a renewed focus on delivering best-in-class sails and service to the Melges and Scow communities."

Beyond daily service work, North Sails Zenda will function as a development hub for One Design, with the Zenda crew working alongside North Sails product developers and the wider One Design team to shape future sail design for Scow classes, Melges-managed classes, and performance classes including the Melges 24.

Cate Muller-Terhune framed the mission in terms that cover both the weekend family sailor and the competitive fleet racer. "We're here to help sailors reach their goals, whether that's winning a regatta or enjoying a day on the water with family," she said. "Zenda is ready to support the community with everything it needs to succeed. Our relationship with North Sails will benefit all."

Sailors can purchase North Sails products directly through the Melges team, with service inquiries and sail orders handled by Andy Burdick (andy@melges.com), Allan Terhune (allan@melges.com), Cate Muller-Terhune (cate@melges.com), Eddie Cox (eddie@melges.com), Harry Melges III (harry@melges.com), and Trevor Trepton (trevor@melges.com).

As Melges put it in their own announcement: "Boatbuilding and sailmaking go hand in hand." After nearly three decades, North Sails Zenda is back to prove it.