Telstar 28 Information, Review, Specs

History and Design

The Telstar 28 represents a significant evolution in the legacy of multihull innovator Tony Smith and Performance Cruising. Following the success of earlier Telstar models, such as the Telstar 26 and Telstar 35, and a pivotal shift towards catamaran production after a factory fire in 1981, Tony Smith returned to his trimaran roots with a completely redesigned Telstar in 2003. This newer model was engineered to echo the achievements of its predecessors while incorporating modern advancements.

Tony Smith's design philosophy for the Telstar 28 emphasized a balance of functional utility and sailing performance. A key feature of this trimaran is its "foldable" design, which significantly reduces its wide 18-foot beam to a more manageable 8.5 feet for road transport and easier mooring in restricted spaces. This innovative mechanism allows the amas to swivel alongside the main hull without increasing the boat's overall length. Performance Cruising, under Smith's guidance, maintained its ethos of building practical, efficient, and comfortable multihulls, drawing on decades of experience in the field.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Telstar 28 is a fiberglass solid-hulled trimaran with a fractional sloop rig, measuring just under 27.5 feet overall and featuring a waterline length of 26.51 feet. Designed with an outboard engine, it has a displacement of 3000 lbs. With a minimum draft of 0.98 feet and a maximum draft of 4.27 feet with its centerboard down, it offers excellent access to shallow waters. Its hull speed is estimated at 6.9 knots.

Qualitatively, the Telstar 28 aims for a blend of performance and practical cruising. While some sources indicate its design was "much more about sailing performance," others suggest its "substantial weight will be detrimental to performance under sail," implying it is performance-oriented for a cruising trimaran rather than a pure racer. Owners report that the Telstar 28 handles challenging conditions well, including seven to nine-foot waves and gusts up to 35+ knots, describing the boat as "a blast" to sail. It is generally not prone to lee helm, a common issue on some other boats. However, the cockpit can feel crowded with four crew members in the well. The boat also features an internal steering system.

Accommodations and Layout

While the Telstar 28 is a trimaran, its interior accommodations are relatively modest for its length, offering less space than a monohull of comparable size, a common trade-off for enhanced sailing performance in multihulls. Despite this, the design provides functional living spaces within the main hull. The production of the Telstar 28 was considered semi-custom, allowing for some owner choice in interior appointments, including galley equipment and the size of the head.

A notable feature of the Telstar 28's interior is a molded shower dam in the head, enabling onboard showering. While specific layout details are limited in the provided data, owners have mentioned features such as a stereo with interior and cockpit speakers, and courtesy LED lights, suggesting a reasonable level of outfitting for a cruising trimaran. The overall finish quality and material use likely reflect the builder's focus on durable, functional construction, typical of Performance Cruising's designs.

Owner's Perspectives

Owners generally speak positively about the Telstar 28's handling characteristics and its ability to manage various sea states, often describing it as an enjoyable and responsive vessel. The boat is praised for its stability and the absence of common handling issues like significant lee helm. For those new to multihulls or sailing with less experienced crew, some owners suggest that reducing sail can mitigate heeling sensations. The Telstar 28 has also been noted by some owners as having addressed certain design challenges found in other trimarans of its class. However, specific recurring weaknesses or common maintenance issues are not widely documented in general owner discussions.