Illusion

Illusion

Solo / Symmetrical
Touring / Freestyle / Class 2-3 whitewater / Pack Canoe

Overview

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The Illusion is at home on small creeks and rivers as well as small ponds and lakes. It was originally designed as a Freestyle canoe and has won four National championships. Its rounded bottom and chines make it very easy to heal over and do a 180 deg. turn. In addition, this canoe has good tracking characteristics for its size. At less than 20 lbs. for the standard layup, it responds very well to every paddle stroke in the water and is effortless to carry out of the water. It works well for kneeling with a straight shaft paddle as well as sitting with a canoe or kayak paddle.

This canoe is a joy to paddle and ideal on small, winding creeks like the ones found in the Pine Barrens and the Adirondacks. It also is great on portages from lake to lake in the Boundary Waters and Algonquin parks. With a heavier layup, it can be a fun play boat on class 2 and 3 whitewater.

If you’re looking for a shorter light weight solo canoe that handles well and can haul some extra gear, the Illusion would be a great choice.        

This canoe is also available with a deck, see the “Loon”

Designed by Marc Ornstein

Marc Ornstein has been paddling canoes for most of his adult life. His experiences include whitewater play-boating and tripping, touring, and Freestyle. He is an ACA instructor with River canoeing, level II certification, solo/tandem and level III Freestyle canoeing certification, solo/tandem. He sits on the Board of Directors of the Freestyle Committee of the American Canoe Association.

He owns and operates Dogpaddle Canoe Works, where he designs and builds custom canoes and canoe paddles. He is a four time national gold medalist in Freestyle Canoeing. All four of those medals were won paddling a Dogpaddle Illusion which he designed.

Technical Specs:

Length:
13'6"
Weight:
16-21 lb
Max. Width:
29.25"
Max. Gunwale Width:
26"
Height:
16.5"/13"/14.5"
How to Order

How to order your custom built Savage River canoe.

  1.  Choose the model you want
  2. Choose a layup, that works best for for you, from “Layup Options”. You can click on “Layup Description” to compare layups as well as looking at the “Layup Comparison "chart. Our standard layup is the first one listed.
  3. Check the “Extra Reinforcing Options”, if you want to increase the stiffness and strength of the boat. These will be needed for rocky rivers and whitewater.
  4. Choose an inside layer. Details can be found under “Layup Description”.
  5. Pick your desired seat style.
  6. Pick any seat options as well as other options from the lists that you would like to add.
  7. If you have questions or are ready to order feel free to call us at 301-334-2335 or e-mail at sales@savageriver.com
  8. Payment:
    We require a $2000 deposit on orders over $4500 and $1500 for orders under $4500.
    You can send a check to:
    Savage River
    581Clifton Drive
    Oakland MD 21550

    We also take credit cards but charge a 3%processing fee.
    Balance is due before shipping or at time of pick up.
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Layup Options

Layup Description
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A plain weave carbon fabric is the standard for the outside layer. Backed up with Kevlar. It is tough and stiff. Good basic layup for C-2s and durable C-1s
Layup Description
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A plain weave carbon fabric is the standard for the outside layer. Backed up with light Kevlar. Lighter weight then Carbon layup but not as strong and stiff. Good layup for C-1 racing canoes and light touring solos.
Layup Description
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A lighter weight version of the regular carbon. Not as stiff or strong but lighter weight. Backed up with Kevlar. Good option to lighten up a C-2 with out sacrificing a lot of durability. A good intermediate layup for C-1s to balance weight and durability.
Layup Description
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A lighter weight version of the regular carbon. Not as stiff or strong but lighter weight. Backed up with light Kevlar. This is one of the lightest layups we build. Only recommended for ultra light C-1s for paddlers under 160. It will may have a little flex to it and may make a crinkling sound when stressed.
Layup Description
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Flat woven carbon that has a beautiful checkerboard appearance. The same weight as regular carbon with greater stiffness and durability. Slides over rocks and stumps easier with less damage. Backed up with Kevlar. The checkerboard appearance increase in durability is the big draw for TeXtreme, but comes with a higher price.
Layup Description
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Flat woven carbon that has a beautiful checkerboard appearance. The same weight as regular carbon with greater stiffness and durability. Slides over rocks and stumps easier with less damage. Backed up with light Kevlar. The checkerboard appearance increase in durability is the big draw for TeXtreme, but comes with a higher price. With the light Kevlar this layup is a good choice for racing C-1s as well as light touring solos.
Layup Description
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Same appearance as regular TeXtreme with less weight. Similar durability but less stiffness as light carbon with a little less weight. Lightest outer skin we use. Backed up with Kevlar. Good for a light weight C-2 where light weight is more desired then durability and stiffness. Good option for lighter C-1s for balance between durability and weight.
Layup Description
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Same appearance as regular TeXtreme with less weight. Similar durability but less stiffness than light carbon with a little less weight. Lightest outer skin we use. Backed up with light Kevlar. This is one of the lightest layups we build. Only recommended for ultra light C-1s for paddlers under 160. It may have a little flex to it and may make a crinkling sound when stressed.
Layup Description
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A non woven carbon fabric where fibers are oriented 45 deg from center line of canoe. This gives greater torsional stiffness and strength while saving weight. Backed up with Kevlar. Good layup for c-2s where you want to save some weight without sacrificing stiffness especially in racing canoes. Good tough stiff durable layup for c-1s.
Layup Description
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A non woven carbon fabric where fibers are oriented 45 deg from center line of canoe. This gives greater torsional stiffness and strength while saving weight. Backed up with light Kevlar. Lighter weight then Carbon layup but not as strong and stiff. Good layup for C-1 racing canoes and light touring solos.
Layup Description
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A little heavier and not as stiff as carbon but a lot tougher. White and black weave which gives a gray appearance. Backed up with Kevlar. Good for C-2s where durability is more desired then light weight. May fuzz up a little when scratched and harder to patch. A glass skin reinforcing is recomended.
Layup Description
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A little heavier and not as stiff as carbon but a lot tougher. White and black weave which gives a gray appearance. Lighter weight then Carbon/Inegra layup but not as strong and stiff. Good layup for light touring solos. May fuzz up a little when scratched and harder to patch. A glass skin reinforcing is recomended.
Layup Description
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Same appearance as TeXtreme with a silvery/gray color. Same stiffness but slightly heavier then light TeXtreme but stronger because of the Inegra blend. Backed up with Kevlar. Good option for lighter C-2s and Mid weight C-1s. The beautiful silver checkerboard appearance is stunning but is our priciest outer skin. May fuzz up a little when scratched and harder to patch. A glass skin reinforcing is recomended.
Layup Description
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Same appearance as TeXtreme with a silvery/gray color. Same stiffness but slightly heavier then light TeXtreme but stronger because of the Inegra blend. Backed up with light Kevlar. Only recommended for ultra light C-1s for paddlers under 160. It will have a little flex to it and may make a crinkling sound when stressed. The beautiful silver checkerboard appearance is stunning but is our priciest outer skin. May fuzz up a little when scratched and harder to patch. A glass skin reinforcing is recomended.
Layup Description
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Woven Kevlar fabric with a fiberglass skin. Similar strength and less stiffness than carbon skin with greater weight and less cost. Yellow appearance on outside. Great entry level layup or whitewater layup with added layers of Kevlar.
Layup
Weight
Price
Carbon
Carbon Lite
Light Carbon
Light Carbon Ultralite
TeXtreme
TeXtreme Lite
Light TeXtreme
Light TeXtreme Ultralite
Uni Biaxial Carbon
Uni-Biaxial Lite
Carbon/Inegra
Carbon/Inegra Lite
Textreme Inegra
TeXtreme/Inegra Lite
Kevlar
16-21 lb
0
100
200
200
250
350
250
350
125
225
0
100
300
400
-150
25 lbs.
000
000
000
000
000
000
000
000
000
000
000
000
000
000

Layup Comparison

Strength & Stiffness

Carbon
Carbon Lite
Light Carbon
Light Carbon Ultralite
TeXtreme
TeXtreme Lite
Light TeXtreme
Light TeXtreme Ultralite
Uni Biaxial Carbon
Uni-Biaxial Lite
Carbon/Inegra
Carbon/Inegra Lite
Textreme Inegra
TeXtreme/Inegra Lite
Kevlar
Extra Reinforcing Info
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Glass Skin
A clear layer of s-gass on the outside to make a tougher skin and protect the laminate. Adds strength but also adds weight
Rock Guard
An extra layer of Kevlar under the foam core on the bottom. This will greatly increase the durability of the bottom when scraping over rocks, gravel bars and logs.
Expedition
One full extra layer of Kevlar. Adds a lot of stiffness and durability to the canoe. Great for extended wilderness expeditions as well as mild whitewater. This layup has been tested in rental canoes in the Boundary Waters with great success.
Whitewater
Extra layers of Kevlar are added with an s glass skin to build a very durable canoe capable of using on class 2 and 3 whitewater.

Reinforcing

Rock Guard
Price:
$75
Weight:
2 lb
Expedition
Price:
$150
Weight:
3 lb
Whitewater
Price:
$225
Weight:
5 lb
Glass Skin
Price:
$150
Weight:
3 lb

Inside Layer

Layup Description
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Basic inside layer for racing C-2s. Uni-Biaxial is lighter and stiffer then Kevlar or regular carbon. Used over the foam on the floor and over ribs. Color: Black with yellow between ribs
Layup Description
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Same weight and stiffness as Uni-biaxial Carbon w/ checkerboard appearance. Color: Black checkerboard with yellow between ribs

Seat Style Options

Seat Options

Sliding Web Seat
Description
Web seat mounted on aluminum tubes so it can slide front and back to adjust canoe trim
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Sliding Web Seat
Price
$100
Height Adjustable
Description
Seat can be raised or lowered easily for more stability or for using a Kayak paddle. Price is per seat
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Height Adjustable
Price
$250

Other Options

Cherry Outwale
Description
Beautiful thin lamination of cherry on the outside of the carbon rail to at strength as well as a place for the paddle to rub on.
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Cherry Outwale
Price
$300
Small Carbon Deck
Description
Small flat carbon deck for mounting flash light or other accessories to. Bow up to 16" / Stern up to 11"
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Small Carbon Deck
Price
$35
Large Carbon Deck
Description
Larger flat carbon deck for mounting flash light or other accessories to. Bow up to 32" / Stern up to 28"
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Large Carbon Deck
Price
$75

Outfitting

Removable Wood Yoke
Description
Attaches to canoe gunwales with clamps for quick on and off when doing portages
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Removable Wood Yoke
Price
$100
Removable Fabric Yoke
Description
Wraps around the canoe and tightened with a strap
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Removable Fabric Yoke
Price
$70
Canoe Cover
Description
Protects the canoe from damaging UV rays. Highly recommended for traveling or when ever canoe is in the sun and not in the water.
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Canoe Cover
Price
$275

Testimonials

I can’t thank you enough for all the efforts you put into my boat. It exceeds all my expectations. It will serve my needs well! My wife loved it!!!! Regards,
-Jamie, NY
"The illusion is my new favorite boat. After a 30 year love affair with my sawyer starlight, I think it is my "other people boat" now. sorry Ralph. The illusion is odviously light, and has equally great primary and secondary stability. it is fast, but takes a minute to figure out how to make it go straight. I had to modify the j-stroke to more resemble the c-stroke and found if you maintain a slight lean to the side you are paddling on it will track nicely. it will also go straight using hit and switch when up to speed. It goes without saying that it turns on a dime. This is exactly what i was looking for as all of my other boats tended to be go straight boats. The crew at Savage River built up the boat to my exact specifications with the tribold seat and foot brace. I come from a racing and tripping background and wanted a boat that turned more but have no interest in kneeling. The boat was picked up at the factory and I immediatly road tripped up to the rifle river in northern Michigan to put it to the test. We got luck with some high water and it was on. Solid class II with lots of surf spots and places to pull eddies. The illusion does dynamic ferries, front surfs like a dream, and I was blown away when I got multiple side surfs in holes that would have blown out the starlight downstream, or sent me into the drink The staff at savage river were friendly, and patient with me, and Ben spent a lot of time with me in the design process. They returned calls, emails, and such in a timely manner. I believe the illusion is marketed as a freestyle boat so I will be learning more moves in the future. Some good friends and I plan to paddle the entire huron river in Michigan over 5 days in July and will have gear for 1 in the boat. Will be interested to see how it preforms in that situation. Savage River boats are pricey but as soon as you paddle one you'll know you made the right decision on flopping down that kind of money. They are clearly at the top of their game at designing boats. I've had one of their solo race boat for many years and am very pleased with it as well. The michigan canoe symposium is where I discovered that savage river makes something other than race boats so I had to try one. If you do as well you won't be disappointed."
- Michael, MI