RVYC Illusion Class
lllusion racing at the RVYC on Wootton Creek, and in the warm summer months, is quite unique. Although the sailboat has a very low freeboard, you can race without drysuits and in the relative comfort of a spray top.
Surrounded by the wooded foreshore on the west side of the creek and the ferry channel on the east side, the racing area is varied, scenic and atmospheric.
Racing follows the simple yet successful format of windward leeward courses, ideal for the 12 foot Illusion, (a scaled down 12 meter), with its long and heavy keel.
Racing an Illusion is a busy affair, steering with your feet, creating a well balanced main and jib, hoisting and dropping a spinnaker. The saving grace is there is no spinnaker pole and you fly her with the lines in your hands.
The boats are launched from the crane. There are 3 races a race day and club volunteers act as race officers. 7 Illusions raced last year and it was characteristically close up and down the racecourse and the leaderboard .
The apres on the lawn, outside the club, is one of the highlights of club life. Banter, beer and a meal from the Galley, with one of the island favourite backdrops, what more could you ask for?
The season splits between the Spring /Early Summer Season and Summer Autumn Series. The final race of the Summer Autumn series doubles up as an Open event . Cups and prizes are awarded for 1st, 2nd, 3rd.
| Date | Day | Sunset | Time | Height | Time | Height | Time | Height | Time | Height | Race Days | Illusion Date Name | Start Time | |
| May | 14 | Wed | 2046 | 0108 | 4.5 | 0621 | 1.1 | 1334 | 4.4 | 1837 | 1.3 | 1 | Spring Summer Series 1 | 12.00 |
| May | 28 | Wed | 2104 | 0025 | 4.8 | 0557 | 0.7 | 1254 | 4.7 | 1818 | 0.8 | 2 | Spring Summer Series 2 | 12.00 |
| Jun | 11 | Wed | 2117 | 0012 | 4.4 | 0523 | 1.3 | 1244 | 4.3 | 1741 | 1.4 | 3 | Spring Summer Series 3 | 12.00 |
| Jun | 25 | Wed | 2122 | 0456 | 0.9 | 1157 | 4.5 | 1719 | 1.1 | 4 | Spring Summer Series 4 | 11.00 | ||
| Jul | 2 | Wed | 2121 | 0506 | 4.0 | 1025 | 1.5 | 1744 | 4.2 | 2255 | 1.8 | 5 | Spring Summer Series 5 | 16.30 |
| Jul | 9 | Wed | 2117 | 0421 | 1.5 | 1147 | 4.2 | 1642 | 1.6 | 2352 | 4.3 | 6 | Spring Summer Series 6 | 11.00 |
| Jul | 16 | Wed | 2111 | 0338 | 4.4 | 0904 | 0.9 | 1627 | 4.5 | 2130 | 1.2 | 7 | Summer Autumn Series 1 | 15.00 |
| Jul | 23 | Wed | 2103 | 0359 | 1.3 | 1103 | 4.3 | 1624 | 1.4 | 2317 | 4.5 | 8 | Summer Autumn Series 2 | 11.00 |
| Aug | 13 | Wed | 2028 | 0230 | 4.6 | 0802 | 0.6 | 1511 | 4.7 | 2023 | 0.8 | 9 | Summer Autumn Series 3 | 13.30 |
| Aug | 20 | Wed | 2015 | 0258 | 1.6 | 1006 | 4.1 | 1528 | 1.7 | 2220 | 4.2 | 10 | Summer Autumn Series 4 | 10.00 |
| Aug | 27 | Wed | 2000 | 0230 | 4.4 | 0752 | 1.0 | 1502 | 4.5 | 2008 | 1.1 | 11 | Summer Autumn Series 5 | 13,30 |
| Sep | 10 | Wed | 1929 | 0124 | 4.8 | 0700 | 0.4 | 1358 | 4.9 | 1921 | 0.6 | 12 | Spring Autumn Series 6 | 12.30 |
| Sep | 24 | Wed | 1858 | 0124 | 4.5 | 0650 | 0.9 | 1350 | 4.6 | 1907 | 1.0 | 13 | RVYC Illusion Open | 12.00 |
For more information contact Phil Russell (send email) and/or request to join the 'RVYC Illusion fleet' whatsapp group.
Last updated 14:25 on 21 April 2025
