For this month’s W2 Boat Review we feature iKon Boats, specifically the iKon VLE20, a 20’10” boat rated for up to 250 hp that we think is one of the top bass boats on the market.
Based in Madisonville, Tennessee, iKon launched in 2023 and is a premium, high-performance bass boat brand developed by HCB Yachts (creators of center-console yachts) intended to revive the legacy of Hydra-Sports. The hulls are descendents of this once popular brand of bass boats.
Designed with MLF Angler of the Year Jacob Wheeler, iKon focuses on innovative technology, such as the Hydrodynamic Stabilizer System (HSS) and advanced storage, aiming to revolutionize the bass boat market.
Here’s a brief history of the brand before we get to the boat.
Origin (2019-2023): Following a 2019 board decision, HCB Yachts applied saltwater yacht engineering to create a new, innovative freshwater brand.
Launch (2023): Unveiled at the 2023 Bassmaster Classic, the flagship LX21 was introduced as a, high-end, tournament-ready vessel.
Model Expansion (2024-2025): The lineup expanded with the VLX series (e.g., VLX 20) designed for high performance with a focus on value under $100k.
The brand was created to blend tournament-level angler input with, luxury-level manufacturing, resulting in a distinct, modern, and, highly-engineered, fishing machine.
The boats feature a proprietary “iKonic Terrain” (iT) stringer and deck system, designed for structural rigidity and advanced performance. They are also known for the “L2” livewell system and 360-degree access to the transom/bilge area. The boats offer high stability in rough water, reduced chine walk, and solid, reliable speeds rather than just top-end velocity.
A bass boat is only as good as its hull and the all new “Hydrodynamic Stabilizer System” (HSS) hull on iKons combines the most accomplished naval architect design strategies used in saltwater fisheries with the performance requirements for freshwater applications to deliver a ride that is unlike any in every perspective: stability, comfort, responsiveness, and speed.
With capabilities unmatched by any seating system in the industry, iKon introduces the all-new E-seat system to complement a world-class helm and controls configuration. An automotive design incorporates intelligent features with an embedded in-house six-spring suspension system. The intuitive configuration removes interference structure to look around to any spot of the boat underway, doesn’t require a muscle-up getting in and out of the driver’s seat, and cradles the body with comfort for long days on the water. To give it personality, for the first time of its kind, there is an infused polished fiberglass seatback for customization flavor with high-quality cool breeze upholstery materials that breath on their own to offer any cool options you can dream of. The most powerful cooler on the market, a fully insulated cooler accommodates a case of water and proven to deliver “Yeti-like” cold on a hot day and transforms a third seat. There is a convertible additional seat integrated into our additional insulated cooler for larger crews.
The iKon “L2” livewell system is integrated with technology that has kept bait alive in the hot coastal saltwater industry for days. This innovative, first-in-class, automated livewell system controls auto-fill, auto-maintain-fill, auto-circulate, auto-oxygenation, auto-inject fish additive, and even auto-temp. The lid and cavity shape designs, united with the integration controls mechanisms and a left-fit chiller plate, produce a healthy environment with anti-sloshing for fish to survive with only care at the click of helm controls. And if that’s not enough, you don’t even have to get out of the cockpit to fill your bag for weigh-in’s with a quick connect fill system.
iKon’s wiring harnesses are meticulously designed and constructed to provide exceptional durability and reliability. Using only the highest quality materials, they ensure a secure, long-lasting connection between your boat’s electrical components. Advanced design processes and state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques result in products that not only meet but exceed industry standards.
The brand “iKon” was chosen to register the iconic aspiration to grow fishing and be remembered for it. iKon, which was first showcased at the 2023 Bassmaster Classic in Knoxville, TN, is embodied in four major areas: 1) protect fish, 2( run comfortably on rough and calm waters with no compromises, 3) maintain vessel performance and responsiveness with no compromises and 4) offer more everything.
The prerequisites for the ongoing expansion centered on leveraging sophisticated yacht engineering and technology with consummate fishing anglers’ intellect to develop an innovative product that would redefine the market. HCB Yachts partnered with experience-enabling, product expert and professional angler, Brent Butler, and ultimately two-time Angler of the Year, Jacob Wheeler.
“Between the yacht engineering and firsthand expertise from professional anglers, we knew we had a good product,” said VP Sales and Marketing, Scott Womack. “The challenge was that we wanted to do more than just add another boat to a vibrant segment. We wanted to build a boat that would grow fishing and protect the fish. Our company vision is to preserve the future of fishing for generations to come.”
The two-piece flexible architecture used in the “iKonic Terrain” (iT) stringer and deck design(s) were optimized to yield more fishing real estate than any other product in the game.
A forward fishing locker is fitted with over 21.5 cubic feet and sets the record to be outrigged over 50 tackle boxes while leaving ample room for spare clothing. The rod locker can store a staggering 36 rods measuring 9’8”. The ultra-dry, tall gutter system protects waterproof hatches for the wettest climates with a polished finish under-the-hood.
The iKon VLE20 measures 20’ long and 98” wide with a 50-gallon fuel capacity, weighs 1,8850 pounds and has a 300 hp maximum rating. The boat sells for around $82K.
Other hulls include the iKon LXL20, LX21, LXE21, VLS20, VLX20, VLX21, VLE20 and VLE21. L stands for Legend Series. V stands for Victory Series.
Rock Outdoors, with three locations, is the area iKon boat dealer. Take a ride to the dealerships in Hardy, VA or Littleton, NC for a look at these amazing boats.
