Telstar 26.

[Rappey]

A friend has just aquired a telstar 26. New rigging, new sails new foam and upholstery, really nice outboard. Boat is 90% refitted ?
How on earth do the hulls fold ? Ive watched /read everything i can find online but there is not that much. Every boat ive seen has what looks like right angle steel brackets that protrude above the deck bolted together. This one is flush with multiple steel plates that interlock together. Whats the difference between a mk1 and mk2 ?
How does the keel go up and down as there is nothing visible to enable it..

 

[Buck Turgidson]

Have you read the manual? Or looked in the cockpit lockers?
AI found this for me. It's one of the few things its actually good yt.

 

[Rappey]

Interesting as i had a feel in one of the cockpit lockers and felt possibly a guide block and jamming cleat and wondered why .
Opened the see through panel in keel box as it was stuffed with a lidls bag. Discovered the lidls bag contained two rope connected to various parts of the keel, one up and one down . Looks like someone needs a long read of that helpful manual.
It's a little complex as it refers to lots of parts that i don't know.

 

[Telstar26]

That. Manual is for the Telstar 28 which is a more modern reincarnation of the 26, built by Tony Smith in the USA. The original 1970s UK built Telstars are quite different.

It sounds as if you have the "marina" version which can be folded while on the water; but I've no idea how!

When I had a Mk 1 26, the centreboard was a simple wooden pivoting system, as on many dinghies. So I'm puzzled by your description!

 

[Rappey]

Many thanks mr Buck Turgidson. Have read much more and its very helpful.

I'm only guessing but the 28 is only 1½ ft longer than the 26 and it seems they just made the stern longer ?

The keel with its up rope and down rope is locked solid. Reading the 28 manual it describes the pivot/hinge bolt as an off set shank with a cam. Turn the bolt either 90 or 180 degree and it releases the cam force locking action allowing the movement of the keel which can then be locked in position but only enough force so it can swing up if you hit the bottom. Still no idea where the ropes are meant to exit the keel box.

The table sits on a metal support with a folding wooden leg at one end. The other end is supported by sitting round the mast compression post.
If lifts up and away from the mast and can rotate through 360 but the interior layout prevents it from being fully seated in any other position?
A quirky boat but quite interesting.
I should take some pics as that would probably help.