ILLUSION 12
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 12 ft |
| LWL | 10.5 ft |
| Beam | 2.75 ft |
| Draft | 2.25 ft |
| Displacement | 700 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 4.3 kn |
About the ILLUSION 12
Spin.: 45 sq. ft. 'Mini 12'one-design single hander with pedal steering. Similar concept as the 2.4M but somewhat smaller. Ballast can be added or removed from a cavity within keel. Most recent Builder: Advanced Marine Structures www.amstructures.co.uk +44 (0) 1983 200011
Designed by Jo Richards & Neil Graham and built by Illusion Yachts (USA), the Illusion 12 is a compact fractional sloop with 900 hulls built in 1981. This data-driven synthesis highlights the boat's status as a specialized trailerable cruiser, noting that while production was limited to a single year, the fleet size suggests a dedicated niche following.
- Best for:
- This boat suits single-handers or couples seeking a lightweight, trailerable coastal cruiser with a max draft of 2.25 ft, ideal for accessing shallow anchorages and easy transport.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a displacement of 700.0 lb and a capsize ratio of 1.24, the Illusion 12 is not designed for offshore bluewater cruising but is suitable for protected coastal waters and short passages.
- Comparables:
- Comparable boats include other 12-foot trailerable designs from the early 1980s, such as the Micro Magic or similar Jo Richards designs, which share the emphasis on portability and simple fractional rigging.
Performance
Pricing
We don't have market pricing data for the ILLUSION 12 yet. If you own one, help other buyers — what did you pay for it? Reports build a community price estimate over time.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 12ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
We don't have enough data on the ILLUSION 12yet to publish model-specific findings we'd stand behind — but here's a free general inspection checklist, built from our research into what actually goes wrong on boats of this kind.
Drawn from 7,029 documented issues across 2,391 models, ordered so the areas that most often turn up problems come first.
Own a ILLUSION 12? Reports from owners are what turn this into a model-specific checklist — and they're the reason the boats above it have one.
Similar Sailboats
Which engine powers your ILLUSION 12?
We haven't confirmed the engine for this model yet. If you own or know one, tell us — as owners report in, we build an accurate picture over time.
Already know your engine? Search all engines → to find its exact parts.
Used sails that fit the ILLUSION 12
Checking eBay for sails sized to this boat's rig…