Ikonic Yachts: Introducing the First Yachting Family Office Advisory Firm

Photo Credit: IKONIC Yachts

As you explore the world of luxury yachting, you may find yourself seeking a more personalized, insightful, and comprehensive approach to yacht ownership. Enter Ikonic Yachts – a fully integrated yachting ecosystem delivering extraordinary service and industry-leading asset management.

Haute Living had the privilege of meeting with Ikonic Yachts’ CEO, AJ Blackmon, at the Palm Beach International Boat Show, where we witnessed firsthand the remarkable value behind the industry’s first yachting family office advisory firm. Ikonic Yachts has redefined excellence by offering reliable insights, real operational data, and precise financial pro formas—empowering clients to make informed, confident decisions.

By placing your unique needs and experiences at the forefront, Ikonic is setting a new benchmark for yacht ownership and charters in today’s ever-evolving luxury landscape.

Your Exclusive Partner in Yachting

Photo Credit: IKONIC Yachts

From washing boats at $3 a foot in Tampa, Florida, an 18-year-old AJ Blackmon often paused at the end of his workday, reflecting on how these yacht owners had reached that level of success.

“I would put myself in their shoes and try to imagine what that would feel like,” Blackmon recalls. “So, I moved to Miami with big dreams—and was met with a lot of resistance. But I stayed true to my vision and started brokering boats.”

Through his early experiences, AJ realized that the brokerage industry was heavily sales-driven often prioritizing transactions over genuine client relationships. This realization inspired him to establish Apollo Yachts, which he successfully sold just 24 months later. Then after 10 years of brokerage experience and having been involved in the closing of over $1 billion in transactions, this paved the way for AJ to create Ikonic Yachts.

“What I discovered was that the information clients were receiving wasn’t always the most reliable,” Blackmon shares. “That’s why I decided to build something different—a company where we put the client’s needs before the scoreboard.”

A Team of Experts, An Extension of Your Family Office

Photo Credit: IKONIC Yachts

At Ikonic Yachts, AJ has assembled a team of industry-leading experts who ensure clients make well-informed decisions based on actual data by exploring various price scenarios and evaluating every angle with precision.

“Ikonic is an extension of our clients’ family offices – we’re true advisors, not just typical yacht brokers,” Blackmon emphasizes.

Contrary to the many larger brokerages, the yachting advisory firm Ikonic Yachts – founded in 2023 – offers a concierge-style, boutique experience that caters to the evolving needs of yacht owners. Here, relationships and expertise take precedence over sales quotas, delivering a client-first approach that resonates with discerning yacht enthusiasts.

With their headquarters in Miami Beach, Ikonic’s team is in many of their clients’ backyard and able to react quickly to all of their needs.

Trusted by the Best, Chosen by the Elite

Ikonic Yachts has quickly become the premier choice for those who seek more than just a transaction — they seek a trusted advisor who will put their specific yachting needs and desires first.

“Above all, we value our relationships with our clients. Our client-first approach is the very fabric of our business,” Blackmon shares.

As the first family office advisory firm in the yachting industry, Ikonic Yachts transcends the traditional sales-driven model by offering unbiased, data-backed advice. Through real operational insights and detailed financial pro formas, clients are empowered to make decisions that align with their long-term goals. By prioritizing authentic relationships and delivering personalized experiences, Ikonic Yachts remains at the forefront of a growing trend in luxury travel—one that values connection over commerce.

As an example of what Ikonic Yachts’ team will do for their clients, they have inspected many yachts around the world and out of the 4,500 yachts available on the global charter market, Ikonic Yachts will only put forward about 15% of those to their clients that meet their standards, and most importantly will assuredly exceed clients’ expectations.

The Future of Yachting – A Deeper Connection to the Water, Off-the-Beaten-Path Adventures, and More

Photo Credit: IKONIC Yachts

In a world where trends come and go, Ikonic Yachts remains ahead of the curve—blending innovation, luxury, and evolving consumer preferences to shape the future of yachting.

One such innovation is the Oasis Deck, featured on one of their flagship yachts, the 40m Benetti yacht Contigo. This groundbreaking design transforms the onboard experience by shifting expansive entertainment spaces from the upper decks down to the main deck, maximizing the yacht’s prime real estate and fostering a deeper connection to the water. With a 7-square-meter pool that opens up and vast lounging areas, the Oasis Deck redefines luxury living at sea. Superyacht Contigo is available to charter starting at $230,000 per week or on the global market for sale at 26,000,000 Euros.

Looking ahead to 2025, Blackmon predicts a shift toward lifestyle-driven acquisitions in the yachting world.

“We’re going to start seeing more clients making purchases that reflect their lifestyles and passions,” he shares.

This trend is already taking shape – just this March, Ikonic booked two exclusive charters to off-the-beaten-path destinations designed specifically for spearfishing enthusiasts.

To stay ahead of emerging trends in luxury travel and yachting, follow @IKONICYACHTS on social media and subscribe to Haute Living for exclusive insights into how AJ Blackmon and his team at Ikonic Yachts continue to redefine the future of yachting.