Built at the Blanchard Boat Company on Lake Union in 1947, ILLUSION was one of 97 Senior Knockabouts designed by Ben Seaborn and Norm C. Blanchard. It traveled a mysterious journey through numerous owners until it came into the possession of John Wilkinson. His brother Rob Wilkinson found it at Jensen Motorboat Company owned by shipwright David Willard. The Blanchard made its way to Spokane where it awaited a restoration that illness prevented John from completing. Back to Seattle it came. David Willard was commissioned to conduct a keel up restoration. ILLUSION was featured in the November December issue of Wooden Boat Magazine (301).