All models of the Telstar line has been designed as foldable trimarans suitable for both racing and cruising and focused around a few key design aspects: trailerability, ease of handling by a single person, safety, good cruising accommodations, and shallow draft.
Another unique design point is the system for raising and lowering the mast without the need for any external equipment.
The Telstar trimarans have shallow draft and can be beached since both their centreboard and the rudder can be lifted.
The Telstar line has been designed and built by Tony Smith; in 1969 Tony Smith was 25 years old and had built two 25 ft (7.6 m) trimarans and raced 3,000 miles (4,800 km) round Britain in a 33 ft (10 m) trimaran.
Smith had developed a vast store of knowledge about trimarans and their behavior in varying sea states.
Up to that point, most trimarans had been built using flat sheets of plywood which had been the latest technology developed after the war.
Tony's design criteria for a 26' trimaran included 4 person accommodation, standing head room, load carrying, maneuverability, good looks and speed.
Of course, Smith was also out to create a more reliable design, as the early plywood trimarans had a terrible reputation for falling apart.
A new company, Performance Cruising Inc, was formed in Annapolis, MD to continue manufacturing of the Telstar line.
The success of Gemini provided a financial stability and a foundation to look back into Telstar design.
In 2003 a completely redesigned Telstar 28 was launched, featuring improved hull shapes, a new folding mechanism, and a new mast raising system.
In 2009, a combination of a slowing economy and Tony Smith going for a semi-retirement forced the stop of the Telstar construction.
The improvements included increased headroom in the main cabin (to 6 ft) and changes to the folding mechanism of the amas.
Tony Smith produced a fixed ama version of the Mk 2, Telstar SP (the hinges and removable struts were replaced with solid struts), with kevlar reinforcement, a metal centreboard (housed in a fully enclosed casing) and a three-quarter rig on longer mast which he raced in the 1978 Round Britain Race (finishing in 10th place), the AZAB and the STAR.
This model was built in the UK and later production moved to the US with relocation of the Telstar factory.
[9] [10] The boat differ from other Telstars in having rigid hull joins, with no ability to fold it for trailering.
It has been a complete redesign comparing the original Telstar series from 20 year earlier.
[11] [12] The Telstar 28 has a number of distinguishing features, when comparing to the earlier versions as well as other foldable trimarans.
This allows the boat to be berthed in a standard marina slip for extended period of time, eliminating one of the main problems facing trimaran owners.
However, the older models had more interior room due to the changes in hull shape that were made to accommodate the new folding system.