The Basics
The Illusion is a one-design keelboat with 350lbs of lead, based on a scaled version of Lionheart, the British 12 Metre Class yacht and designed by Jo Richards and Neil Graham in 1981. These performance single-handed boats offer superb racing in nearly any conditions, by sailors of all weights and ages - with tested racing performance up to Force 6! Boats are equipped with a standard main, roller furling genoa and spinnaker.
The Class was started at Bembridge in the early 80's by John Cleave - an International Champion in Radio model sailing. The first open meeting was held in January 1983 for the Bembridge Icebreaker.
There are approximately 50 boats on the quay at Bembridge Sailing Club which manages a winter race programme from October through to end April. Numbers vary according to conditions but 20 - 25 boats on the start line are the norm.
Each year in addition to the normal fleet racing, two weekends a year are devoted to fully on the water umpired match and team racing events.