Sterlings Kayaks Illusion Review Part 2

A TASTE OF TRADITION

One could argue that all kayaks have some influence from the traditional lines of the original Inuit kayaks.  Look above and compare my Illusion with my SOF replica Greenland boat.  Obviously the SOF is a lower profile, but I chose to have a full volume Illusion that wasn’t cut  down.  If you seek a Greenland style boat do like Dubside and have it cut down as much as you can.  The Illusion has a lot of rocker.  The high white sides take away some of that effect, but it is there.  This boat dances because of it.  Yet some how it still tracks great.  I went out on the water with another Illusion owner a couple of days ago.  The wind was howling.  We purposely went out to see how we would be effected.  I never deployed my skeg and never felt the need to.  When I stopped paddling and just let the wind take control I expected with the high rocker I would quickly be turned sideways to the wind, but was not.  It baffles me how this boat can not be effected more by the wind.  With the skeg down it is rock solid.

Another comparison from a balance brace.  Again I see similar lines.  For some reason I can balance brace and roll my Illusion easier than I can roll my SOF.  The low back deck of the SOF makes it a little easier to come back up onto the back deck, but the bouyancy of the Illusion makes it so the boat wants to roll.  Plus it doesn’t get hung up on the chines when rolling over making for a smoother transition.

I love my SOF and hope to learn as many different rolls as I can with it, but honestly I think I will learn the rolls first in my Illusion than carry them over to the SOF.  I always thought it would be easier to go the other way.

Up next…. Custom Options….