Telstar 28 Buyer's Guide
The Telstar 28 is a trailerable folding trimaran from Performance Cruising Inc., designed by Tony Smith with production starting in 2003. On the used market she appeals to sailors who want monohull-beating speed and a boat they can winter in a driveway, yet her spartan, camping-style interior means she suits weekending more than liveaboard cruising.
Layouts on the Used Market
Two interior arrangements appear on brokerage boats: berths for two or four, a small galley, a nav station, and a head forward. The larger plan gives a port settee that converts to a double, a starboard single, and a third berth under the cockpit sole only practical for a child. Headroom exceeds six feet and the main salon runs 7 feet 3 inches wide, so the center hull feels open despite the boat’s 28-foot length. A Deluxe model was offered with laminated teak interior, full galley, enclosed head, and transom seats, but base boats are utilitarian below.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
Power and energy systems on these boats commonly include solar panels and lithium batteries, reflecting the 12-volt cooler space and DC systems fitted. For offwind speed, a spinnaker, asymmetric, or code zero is commonly fitted, with a gennaker and chartplotter often seen; a retractable bowsprit was a factory option to handle the screacher. The lifting pod and electric motor that raise the outboard clear of the water under sail are standard to the design, and newer boats left the factory with an 8.9-hp Mercury or 50-hp Honda outboard.
What to Inspect
The one documented defect to check is that the boat has no escape hatch. On a specific hull, look at the cabin trunk and cockpit sole for any added cutter or hatch that an owner may have fitted; if none exists, the boat has no secondary egress and you should weigh that against coastal use with a crew. Confirm the ama pivot boxes at bow and stern rotate cleanly through 180 degrees and the single deployment line pulls the amas out over the full five-foot span without binding. Because the hull and deck joint is a simple outward flange with riveted gunwale guard, inspect that guard for cracked or missing rivets and any separation at the bond line.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
These trimarans turn up in the United Kingdom and United States. Before you commit, run this short list:
- Verify no escape hatch exists and decide if you will add one
- Pull the ama deployment line and watch both pivots rotate fully
- Check the riveted gunwale guard for loose or absent rivets
- Confirm the outboard lifting pod and electric raise function
- Match the engine to your need: 9.9-hp for 6 knots, 40-hp for 13–14 knots
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Telstar 28. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 4 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 25 | 2 | $41,551 | — |
| Nov 25 | 2 | $34,020 | -18.1% |
| Mar 26 | 1 | $54,000 | +58.7% |
| Apr 26 | 1 | $36,636 | -32.2% |
Where they're listed
Telstar 28 listings appear across 2 countries. United Kingdom has the most listings with 4 (66.7%), followed by United States.
Country view
6 listings · 2 countries| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | $36,636 | 4 | 0 | 66.7% |
| United States | $48,500 | 2 | 0 | 33.3% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
2 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quorning 28 | 28.71' | $ 167,800 | 44 | 17 |
| Telstar 28You are here | — | $ 38,369 | 6 | 0 |