Illusion Description

We consider the Illusion to be the best combination of the recreational and touring worlds. The Illusion is designed to track well in fast currents, it’s light, strong, and responsive in all conditions. This kayak will surpass your expectations in wind, waves, and combined coastal conditions.

Sterling Kayaks
Illusion Reviews

Read reviews for the Illusion by Sterling Kayaks as submitted by your fellow paddlers. All of the reviews are created and written by paddlers like you, so be sure to submit your own review and be part of the community!

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5

I started kayaking 40 years…

Submitted by: paddler1674122 on 8/23/2021

I started kayaking 40 years ago.

5

I started kayaking 40 years…

Submitted by: paddler1674130 on 8/23/2021

I started kayaking 40 years ago. For many years I paddled the San Francisco Bay and northern California coast in a Necky Arluk 1. My wife and I did several open ocean expeditions in a double Nautiraid. With 7 friends I crossed the Sea Cortez and back in Necky Tofinos. For awhile I raced surf skis. Unfortunately, 20 years ago I injured my neck and stopped paddling. For the past few years I have been paddling a standup paddle board. But in the past year I returned to kayaking on advice of my orthopedic surgeon (wounded shoulders from the standup paddle board). For my 80th birthday I decided to treat myself and I ordered an Illusion kayak from Sterling Kayaks. It has provided me the best paddling experience of all my various paddling kraft. Living on a houseboat in Sausalito, I can paddle it almost every day. It is magnificent. It fits me perfectly and tracks in any type of water conditions including the routine windy choppy conditions of the San Francisco Bay. It shines in the surf and moves swiftly on longer paddles in the Bay or along the coast. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Oh, and the white and black layout gets plenty of admirers.

5

I have been one with my…

Submitted by: 3meterswell on 3/5/2018

I have been one with my Illusion for 6 years. From day one it read my mind and completed my thoughts. Still does to this day.

'Nuff said.

Jon Dawkins http://3meterswell.blogspot.com

5

By way of background: I have…

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 11/16/2010
By way of background: I have been kayaking once or twice a week for about 18 months. Entirely self-taught. Switched to greenland paddle a few months ago. Briefly paddled a Delta 12.10, then switched to an NDK Explorer. Generally paddle the great lakes and inland reservoir.

I've been paddling an Illusion since June, but didn't feel completely ready to give a review until I just paddled in Lake Erie winds documented in the 32-37 knot range.

This is an absolutely wonderful kayak! The comfort of the boat is tremendous. The deck will be the right height, since you order it as such. The seat is simply perfect, both in comfort and support. The foam of the seat gives traction to your bottom, aiding in control of the boat. I strongly urge you to get the custom bulkhead instead of the footpegs if you plan to keep this a long time (and you will, once you own one); the angle for your resting feet and the freedom to put your feet anywhere across the bulkhead is simply far superior to foot pegs (althought the ones used by Sterling are great). I also love the lack of a backrest. The seat provides appropriate low-lumbar support, allows easy lay-backs, and does not hinder re-entry-and-roll. Bottom line: this thing feels like it is simply an extension of your body.

As far as performance, again, it is amazing. Compared to my Explorer, I find it is easier to place on edge (less initial stability), yet more comfortable keeping it there (better secondary). It turns quite easily. I also find it far easier to paddle backward vs. the Explorer.

The Explorer is well-known as a great-rolling kayak, and the Illusion is even better. Rolls are simply effortless. And it is very comfortable to lay back onto the back deck.

It is very well-behaved and forgiving in surf. I had never paddled breaking surf before the Illusion. Took it out in 3-foot surf in North Carolina, and was completely comfortable surfing and side-surfing. Surfed a couple hours without capsize; the next day did the same using a greenland paddle, and I had only started using a greenland the week prior. The fact that a complete surf-virgin could do this speaks volumes to its surf capability. Since then, I have also found it is easy to prevent broaching with a little lean-and-stern rudder.

The other day while out paddling in 32-37 knot winds on Lake Erie, it was very easy to control the boat (using a greenland paddle). I had no problems turning into the wind or downwind (but plenty of problems paddling into that wind!) or paddling with a crosswind.

As far as tracking: the only time I notice weathercocking is in moderate-to-strong winds on a local 1x1.5 mile reservoir, where there is not significant waves despite the wind. While on the great lakes or ocean, seems to track fine regardless of wind strength or direction. The skeg is an improvement over the Explorer. Far less likely to jam, but it still does sometimes with coarse sand/tiny gravel. I like that you can still turn easily while the skeg is down.

This is a relatively low-volume boat. Despite gaining a bit of storage space by having the front bulkhead moved back considerably (I have short legs), to pack for a weeklong trip you really have to pack like a backpacker. One thing that does help is that the skeg is tucked flush against one of the bulkheads. If having more storage volume is really important to you, you may want to consider Sterling's Grand Illusion.

This is clearly an amazing boat for an intermediate to expert kayaker. But I would not hesitate to get one if you are a novice... IF you are are a quick-learner and anticipate putting in the work to become an advanced paddler. In any case, it is should be easier than an Explorer for such a person. My kids ages 9-12 paddled it this summer, and they are complete novices.

Overall, this is a wonderfully responsive kayak. It accomplishes what I feel is most important in a kayak: it is very transparent. By that I mean that it paddles in a way that allows you to almost forget you are paddling a boat. Everything is so natural, comfortable, smooth, and effortless... it's like the boat is just part of your body and responds to your mind the way your arms and legs do. Just like I don't want to notice a window I'm looking through, I don't want to "notice" the kayak I'm paddling. The Illusion can do that for you.

As far as negatives: 1) the hatches, while implosion proof, do leak. Despite Sterling putting on a "back-up" seal, if I go out and do a couple dozen rolls, the rear compartment will take on approximately 12 ounces of water. In comparison, every hatch of my Explorer remains 100% bone-dry (although it does have a smaller hatch). It just seems to me that if I can buy a $10 watch waterproof to 100m, then a $4500 kayak should have waterproof hatches. 2) Despite having the infused carbon fiber layup, my kayak weighs 44 pounds, not the advertised <40. Not a big deal; hopefully the extra weight translates into a somewhat stronger hull. Still far lighter than my Explorer. Definitely get an infused hull...it is a far superior construction technique (I have not seen any other kayak maker offering this, but the technology is used on some quality boats).

I was one of the first mail-order purchasers (I bought it sight-unseen). The shipper, unfortunately, damaged the kayak. Sterling was very responsive: he began building the replacement before even sorting things out regarding the shipping insurance; he was willing to eat the loss if need be. Since then, he came up with a better shipping crate which should make such occurrences rare. I would not hesitate to have one shipped.

So, I searched long and hard trying to find the "perfect" kayak. I think the Illusion is the closest thing I can find to that (although we'll have to see about Sterling's new "Reflection" kayak...). Best construction technique/materials. Perfect fit. Absolutely transparent handling. I love it.

(Off topic: for anyone who has yet to explore using a greenland paddle, I encourage you to do so. It is similar to the Illusion in that it is very transparent...just a very natural tool. Comfortable to paddle, simply unfazed by any wind strength/direction, effortless to brace from any paddle position. Great partner to a great kayak. I use a carbon fiber paddle from Superior Kayaks...see my review there).

5

I've owned my Illusion for a…

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 7/23/2010
I've owned my Illusion for a few months and it has exceeded all the hype. I met Sterling Donaldson quite by accident and after listening to him talk about fiberglass and composites, I decided that this was someone who was obviously not only an expert at materials, but someone with a real passion for performance kayaks. It was almost a couple of years before I finally demoed a boat and right away found myself in 38 knot gusts. The boat tracked like it was on rails. I thought I was dreaming. The balance was absolutely amazing. Not only did the boat turn tighter than my Chatham 16, but the speed was in a whole other category!

After getting used to the boat somewhat, I've found acceleration is effortless and the seating definitely the best I've found in any sea kayak. But the most impressive thing about this boat is its responsiveness. Not the nervous kind of response you might expect from a narrow hulled boat of 17' with dramatic rocker, but a feeling that boat almost anticipates your next move! Talk about reassuring when you are in the soup--this is a no-compromise performance boat! Something to take you to the next level, whatever that is.

Did I mention that this boat weighs in under 46 pounds?! And that is the heaviest layup. The materials are probably the best in the industry, and that is nice from a manufacturer here in the USA. It is nice knowing that you can pay the same prices you pay for a boat made in China of questionable quality for a custom made boat of the highest quality and integrity. Yeah, I'd give it a 10. Easy.

5

I must be one of the first…

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 11/15/2009
I must be one of the first owners of a used Illusion. The seller immediately bought two new ones, with slightly different layouts.

I was looking for a high performance, maneuverable boat that tracked straight, could perform in wind and was not slow. A kick-ass surf and tidal rapids boat, but also good for touring and mellow day trips. I found it.

What it does best: this is a great rolling boat. In conditions, it will do exactly what you want it to do. Mine is the infusion fiberglass, at 43 lbs it is noticeably lighter than most 17 ft fiberglass boats. The large amount of rocker allows you to alter the handling by leaning forwards and backwards, which I am still learning. I have no idea how the Illusion can be so straight tracking and not slow with so much rocker. It accelerates well, though of course this design is not the fastest.

Other reviewers claim the Illusion is stable and suitable for a wide range of paddlers, but I disagree. I do not recommend this performance boat to lower skilled paddlers, they need more stability. This boat is for those like me who are trying to become expert, or those who already are. See the video of Warren at Skook, note the no-paddle, no-arms roll.

The big problem with owning an Illusion is how to deal with all the requests to trade boats. I don't mind loaning it during my lunch, but please understand why I prefer my boat to yours.

5

The Illusion by Sterling…

Submitted by: paddler233369 on 9/14/2009
The Illusion by Sterling Kayak (www.sterlingskayak.com/) is one of the most enjoyable kayaks that I have paddled and now own. It tracks straight and is fast yet can also turn on a dime. For its narrow beam, 21.5" it feels extremely stable. I have been in cross wave and the kayak handles it with ease. It has a skeg, but I have never felt that I needed to use it. And the hand carved seat is extremely comfortable.

I had a NDK Explorer. In comparing the two I think the Illusion will give the Explorer a run for its money. The Illusion has been getting high marks from advance paddler for its construction, comfort, and maneuverability. As an intermediate paddler I would recommend this kayak to anyone from beginner to advance. If you have a chance to try one, do so. I think you will be impressed.

If you visit their website, view the video "Warren Williamson Skookumchuck" for amazing footage of the Illusion in conjunction with the Explorer surfing a large fast moving river wave. And I would also recommend checking out (kayaksuccor.wordpress.com/.../sterlings-kayaks-illusion-review-part-1/) for a more in depth review.

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