ICB 26' Kool Kat

[BUDMAN]

So a few weeks ago OSB and I payed a visit to check out Interceptors new 26' Kool Kat. I must admit I really like the profile of this boat. Chris the owner welcomed us to get in and look around and answered any questions we had. Another interesting thing ICB is starting to do is build their own trailers in house. From what I can tell from the one being completed for a 28' Kool Kat it's well built. It's no secrete I'm interested in one of these. Pending performance #s and cost comparisons to the other offerings, it will more than likely be the one I purchase. At the time Chris wasn't sure what he was going to install for power. He did mention the this particular one will be getting a full cap. I'll post updates when I get a chance.
Exterior shots. Not sure I like the black under the bow. I do however like the transom done in black.

Interior shots

Trailer pics

 

[l84theriv]

Hey Budman have you seen their 28deck that is all silver with the red clay/dark tan color interior. The pics I saw were badass. Just cant remember where I saw them or I would have posted them here. Wondering if you and Joe might have grabbed some on one of your visits.

 

[Cole Trickle]

Boat design and proportions looks great...What is it based off of?

I will be the first one to say it I don't exactly love the looks of the Nordic deck boats but you would be very hard pressed to find a better built/rigged boat. The fact that they don't use wood is a big deal to me.

I would say the price difference between the two companys would have to be pretty big for me to take that gamble

 

[RiverDave]

I'm liking that black transom!

RD

 

[RiverDave]

Boat design and proportions looks great...What is it based off of?

I will be the first one to say it I don't exactly love the looks of the Nordic deck boats but you would be very hard pressed to find a better built/rigged boat. The fact that they don't use wood is a big deal to me.

I would say the price difference between the two companys would have to be pretty big for me to take that gamble

I would bet the 26 is under 100K

RD

 

[rvrrun]

Interesting that some of the bulkheads have radiused openings and others don't.

 

[BUDMAN]

Hey Budman have you seen their 28deck that is all silver with the red clay/dark tan color interior. The pics I saw were badass. Just cant remember where I saw them or I would have posted them here. Wondering if you and Joe might have grabbed some on one of your visits.

Joe and I seen it when the full cap was being done. Chris had shown us a rendering of what the interior was going to look like. Seen it completed in Havasu cruising the channel. Looked nice from what I could tell.

 

[BUDMAN]

Boat design and proportions looks great...What is it based off of?

I will be the first one to say it I don't exactly love the looks of the Nordic deck boats but you would be very hard pressed to find a better built/rigged boat. The fact that they don't use wood is a big deal to me.

I would say the price difference between the two companys would have to be pretty big for me to take that gamble

I would agree with you about the no wood. But considering the price of a new Nordic to the ICB my pocket book says maybe the ICB.

 

[BUDMAN]

They were finishing the rigging of this 600 in one of their 28' Kool Kats. This is the one going on the trailer they were finishing.

 

[Cole Trickle]

Interesting that some of the bulkheads have radiused openings and others don't.

I noticed that as well...

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

Hey Budman have you seen their 28deck that is all silver with the red clay/dark tan color interior. The pics I saw were badass. Just cant remember where I saw them or I would have posted them here. Wondering if you and Joe might have grabbed some on one of your visits.

I saw it up close in the Channel. Everything about that silver boat is over the top and the camel alcantra interior is beautiful. I think they said the system in it is something like 16k watts. Who knows, it was loud as hell though and CLEAN!!

Personally I am not a fan of the 28. It's the old Fundeck mold and is just a little dated IMO.

I am considering building a 26 like Budman, but want to obviously see some real world reviews first!!

I can tell you that it is under $100k with an 8.2 MAG. We would do the Merc 540 so not sure exactly what that upgrade will cost.

 

[l84theriv]

I saw it up close in the Channel. Everything about that silver boat is over the top and the camel alcantra interior is beautiful. I think they said the system in it is something like 16k watts. Who knows, it was loud as hell though and CLEAN!!

Personally I am not a fan of the 28. It's the old Fundeck mold and is just a little dated IMO.

I am considering building a 26 like Budman, but want to obviously see some real world reviews first!!

I can tell you that it is under $100k with an 8.2 MAG. We would do the Merc 540 so not sure exactly what that upgrade will cost.

Just a serious question Joe and not trying to ruffle feathers here but why would you go with a boat company without a track record for a new boat over a used Howard or Hallett for the same price used? Look at the deal Randy just got on the 29. I'm only asking because I'm right there with ya.

 

[Sunset]

Boat design and proportions looks great...What is it based off of?

I will be the first one to say it I don't exactly love the looks of the Nordic deck boats but you would be very hard pressed to find a better built/rigged boat. The fact that they don't use wood is a big deal to me.

I would say the price difference between the two companys would have to be pretty big for me to take that gamble

Rob King designed it he does great work Ask DCB.

 

[Singleton]

Just a serious question Joe and not trying to ruffle feathers here but why would you go with a boat company without a track record for a new boat over a used Howard or Hallett for the same price used? Look at the deal Randy just got on the 29. I'm only asking because I'm right there with ya.

Can't find a used Howard deck under 100k.

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

Just a serious question Joe and not trying to ruffle feathers here but why would you go with a boat company without a track record for a new boat over a used Howard or Hallett for the same price used? Look at the deal Randy just got on the 29. I'm only asking because I'm right there with ya.

I don't know......lol

I just really like the look of this boat and if it performs well, then it's going to be tough to pass up.

I want a deck boat and a new Howard is WAY out of my price range and used ones are like a freaking unicorn. The used ones are so high priced, I would rather do a new build at a good price exactly how I want it with Merc (warrantied) power.

Hallett deck boats are ugly but I would consider a Hallett 30 with the side door if one came on the market.

 

[l84theriv]

I don't know......lol

I just really like the look of this boat and if it performs well, then it's going to be tough to pass up.

I want a deck boat and a new Howard is WAY out of my price range and used ones are like a freaking unicorn. The used ones are so high priced, I would rather do a new build at a good price exactly how I want it with Merc (warrantied) power.

Hallett deck boats are ugly but I would consider a Hallett 30 with the side door if one came on the market.

I agree that 26 ICB has a really nice look to it. Im a younger guy like you so there only a few Halletts I would own and yes the Howard decks are unicorn like. lol. I do like the retooled Hallett deckboat but even with that with minimal power new I think its around 130k? And the new 288 is 225K so ya out of my price range.

 

[Done-it-again]

Is this 26' shown here the same as the 25' listed on their site starting at 100k?

 

[steak&lobster]

Just a serious question Joe and not trying to ruffle feathers here but why would you go with a boat company without a track record for a new boat over a used Howard or Hallett for the same price used? Look at the deal Randy just got on the 29. I'm only asking because I'm right there with ya.

Hey nobody knows my deal. . . LoL

I think these new Interceptors look great, obviously it comes down to how they ride/perform. If they are as advertised consider ourself one of the first one's to get a hot new boat from a new manufacturer.

The black bottom would be a "HELL NO" for me Mr. RD

 

[l84theriv]

Hey nobody knows my deal. . . LoL

I think these new Interceptors look great, obviously it comes down to how they ride/perform. If they are as advertised consider ourself one of the first one's to get a hot new boat from a new manufacturer.

The black bottom would be a "HELL NO" for me Mr. RD

I agree no black bottom. Definitley a badass boat tho. Perfect size to get into a tandem garage as well with a swing away. And still handle Havasu chop with no problem.

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

Hey nobody knows my deal. . . LoL

I think these new Interceptors look great, obviously it comes down to how they ride/perform. If they are as advertised consider ourself one of the first one's to get a hot new boat from a new manufacturer.

The black bottom would be a "HELL NO" for me Mr. RD

I agree no black bottom. Definitley a badass boat tho. Perfect size to get into a tandem garage as well with a swing away. And still handle Havasu chop with no problem.

Yeah, NO GO on that black bottom. I would do something similar to this one with all an white (pearl) base and simple gel design. No more dark colors!! We would do half cap too.

 

[Cole Trickle]

Rob King designed it he does great work Ask DCB.

So it's not an old bottom with a retooled deck like the 28?

All new ground up design?

I think it looks great would prefer a full Bench and hatch with a nice usable swim step.

 

[BUDMAN]

Is this 26' shown here the same as the 25' listed on their site starting at 100k?

Yes. After final fitting the 2 halves the overall length measured 25'11" so it will be considered a 26'

 

[BUDMAN]

Yeah, NO GO on that black bottom. I would do something similar to this one with all an white (pearl) base and simple gel design. No more dark colors!! We would do half cap too.

The pearl white with the metallic grey looked so clean.

 

[ultra26shadow]

Hey Budman have you seen their 28deck that is all silver with the red clay/dark tan color interior. The pics I saw were badass. Just cant remember where I saw them or I would have posted them here. Wondering if you and Joe might have grabbed some on one of your visits.

I thought I had more pics but it did catch my eye. Pretty good looking boat.

 

[FlyByWire]

Boat design and proportions looks great...What is it based off of?

I will be the first one to say it I don't exactly love the looks of the Nordic deck boats but you would be very hard pressed to find a better built/rigged boat. The fact that they don't use wood is a big deal to me.

I would say the price difference between the two companys would have to be pretty big for me to take that gamble

We are in this exact boat (pun intended). Talked with ICB about a 28 Kool Kat with a 520, and optioned out to the base Nordic, was Nordic money or damn close to it. (135)

 

[curtiej10]

Its nice to see someone trying something different. Tired of seeing all the new boats with flames and motor home graphics. Don't really care for the trailer, the lights are not recessed and the jack is bolted on.

 

[throttle]

I am curious to have a closer look. Even when i was at the boat show I tried to get a closer look but was pulled away.

I am not a fan of the black under the bow as I think it could reduce its visibility and being seen by oncoming boat traffic.

 

[sirbob]

I thought I had more pics but it did catch my eye. Pretty good looking boat.

View attachment 580781

I saw that boat on the water a couple of weeks ago - it looked a little bland from a distance, but I liked it a lot up close. As a capped boat I would be a little nervous with those tall flat sides however. I didn't see a Bimini top and wondered what that set up would look like.

I saw it again being pulled by silver Range Rover Sport - again, it looked great as a package!

 

[Uncle Dave]

Yes. After final fitting the 2 halves the overall length measured 25'11" so it will be considered a 26'

That the topside measurement then.

So its a 24FT boat with 2 feet or so of overhang?


UD

 

[Singleton]

That the topside measurement then.

So its a 24FT boat with 2 feet or so of overhang?


UD

Looks like 24-25' of running surface and deck is close to 26. Just like everyone else these days

 

[Uncle Dave]

Looks like 24-25' of running surface and deck is close to 26. Just like everyone else these days

Almost, but not quite everyone.

UD

 

[Gelcoater]

I think it's cool Chris is going after a scaled down size market. The selection is vast for a 28 deck, not so much here in this 24-26 niche.
I think it's great to see a relatively new comer selling, and tooling.
It should give all the mfgs hope for the future, and a moment of pause.

Apparently what ever they're doing down there is working, they're still here and don't show signs of weakening.:thumbsup

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

I think it's cool Chris is going after a scaled down size market. The selection is vast for a 28 deck, not so much here in this 24-26 niche.
I think it's great to see a relatively new comer selling, and tooling.
It should give all the mfgs hope for the future, and a moment of pause.

Apparently what ever they're doing down there is working, they're still here and don't show signs of weakening.:thumbsup

I think they are breaking ground on their new facility in the next month or so and it is going to be bad ass! He is waiting to purchase some more equipment once it is complete so they can do a ton of custom fabrication in house.

 

[RiverDave]

Interesting that some of the bulkheads have radiused openings and others don't.

I saw that too, and was kinda wondering about it.

I saw it up close in the Channel. Everything about that silver boat is over the top and the camel alcantra interior is beautiful. I think they said the system in it is something like 16k watts. Who knows, it was loud as hell though and CLEAN!!

Personally I am not a fan of the 28. It's the old Fundeck mold and is just a little dated IMO.

The system in that silver boat is loud as FUCK!!

Just a serious question Joe and not trying to ruffle feathers here but why would you go with a boat company without a track record for a new boat over a used Howard or Hallett for the same price used? Look at the deal Randy just got on the 29. I'm only asking because I'm right there with ya.

ICB has been around for awhile now. I am seeing more and more of them in Havasu.

I would consider a Hallett 30 with the side door if one came on the market.

That's one of my dream boats.. I'd sell my Schiada and this toon in a heartbeat if I thought I could pull it off and have something with decent power.

The black bottom would be a "HELL NO" for me Mr. RD

I said I liked the black transom!

I think it's cool Chris is going after a scaled down size market. The selection is vast for a 28 deck, not so much here in this 24-26 niche.
I think it's great to see a relatively new comer selling, and tooling.
It should give all the mfgs hope for the future, and a moment of pause.

Apparently what ever they're doing down there is working, they're still here and don't show signs of weakening.:thumbsup

He's really busy down there.. Can't build them fast enough.

RD

 

[FASTJTBT144]

So it's not an old bottom with a retooled deck like the 28?

All new ground up design?

I think it looks great would prefer a full Bench and hatch with a nice usable swim step.

Is that bottom and deck from the Cole
mold thats been laying around for years? Stan @ Crusader did alot of tooling on it awhile back and made a mold I know it was last seen
over at Carrera.

 

[Cole Trickle]

Is that bottom and deck from the Cole
mold thats been laying around for years? Stan @ Crusader did alot of tooling on it awhile back and made a mold I know it was last seen
over at Carrera.

Cole had a performance cat?

lol who knew:cool

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

Cole had a performance cat?

lol who knew:cool

There has been a rumor going around for awhile that there is a 25 Cole (Cat) mold laying around somewhere........

And ICB does have the 25 Cole V mold........

 

[Cole Trickle]

There has been a rumor going around for awhile that there is a 25 Cole (Cat) mold laying around somewhere........

And ICB does have the 25 Cole V mold........

I hope it runs good and they knock it out of the park.....

I think the boat looks great wish they would use composites instead of marine ply.

templates and a router would go a long way cutting bulk head openings as well.

 

[MSum661]

Not sure I like the black under the bow. I do however like the transom done in black.

Could work well with hiding some Speed Coat.

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

wish they would use composites instead of marine ply.

DITTO!
It is 2017 and all.......

 

[FASTJTBT144]

Cole had a performance cat?

lol who knew:cool

Yes he never saw it the tooling was started by Ron edle than was moved around
to a few others and Crusader ended UP with and finished it and made a mold. Jim never saw the finished product
before he passed away.

 

[FASTJTBT144]

There has been a rumor going around for awhile that there is a 25 Cole (Cat) mold laying around somewhere........

And ICB does have the 25 Cole V mold........

Rumors true the 25 was there also long with the 22 and the 20 and the 28
if he bought the 25 he saw the cat.

 

[riverroyal]

Very cool thread! I like it and the idea of the market target

Can you get bank loans on a newer builder? I'm assuming yes

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

Very cool thread! I like it and the idea of the market target

Can you get bank loans on a newer builder? I'm assuming yes

Yes. Chris has several banks that they work with.

 

[BUDMAN]

A few more updates pics. They did a full cap on this one. OSB and I are trying to make it down to Interceptor this Wednesday for anymore updates the may have.

 

[BUDMAN]

OSB and I paid another visit to ICB last week to check out the progress. It’s been slow going, but at least progress is being made. The boat was in the rigging stage, and about 90% buffed out. I will be honest. I wasn’t a real fan of the gel scheme but after seeing it buffed out the colors really came to life. I still think it needs just a little something more, not sure what but something. I really like how the Interceptor logo was ghosted in. I also took a few pics of a 28 Kool Kat in progress. Was told both boats would be ready for the boat show in January. Chris was also telling us he has a few more 28’s on order and has sold a 26.