Intrepid Powerboats has kind of a cult following. The Florida-based builder has been delivering solidly built vessels that are customized to each owner’s specifications and built like a tank. High-quality construction, that is, and its sleek, fast look has won over many fans. 

It’s a boat that can handle the rigors of any sea state and keep its owners and guests safe and comfortable. “I would even contend they may be slightly overbuilt,” says Terry McNew, president of Intrepid Powerboats, who comes with 37 years in the industry, including time with Correct Craft, Brunswick, and Master Craft. “Safety is the number-one thing we design. It’s always safety, and then functionality and aesthetics are close, but we don’t sacrifice any of the quality or any of the durability.” If you’re looking for a boat that will take you and your family away for the weekend or even get some fishing in, the 50 Evolution is an entirely new model from Intrepid that’s turning heads.

At the root of Intrepid’s versatility is its stepped-hull design that not only keeps the boat at a more stable, flatter angle, but also helps it run through rough seas and increases fuel efficiency and performance, which makes for a safe, dry, family-friendly ride. On deck, the 50 Evolution redefines Intrepid’s Cabin range with a raised, three-sided, glass-enclosed bridge deck, a large cockpit with stowaway grill, sink, and Frigid Rigid cooler. The transom-wide swim platform makes for easy boarding and serves as an outbracket for the triple V12 Mercury 600s, and down below are accommodations for six in two staterooms and a V-berth with newly designed hullside windows.

If you’re considering a step up to a larger boat, you might feel a little apprehensive. Will I have trouble docking it? Are more helm controls going to be confusing? We all think about it, especially when it’s loaded with the latest technology. “Assuming you’ve done some boating, this is a very easy boat to operate,” says McNew. “It’s a very familiar helm, and there’s nothing that’s going to throw you off… I’m always about ease of use, the consumer interface. You want to run the boat, you want it to be intuitive. You don’t want to have to be like an airline pilot and get an advanced degree.” McNew plans to keep it that way in his new role as president. 

The Evolution 50’s helm bears large Garmin multifunctional displays, which are intuitive in themselves and have all the necessary controls at your fingertips. The same goes for the Mercury outboards with joystick control. If you’ve not used a joystick, it takes a little time to get the feel for it, but it makes snuggling up to the dock so much easier. In addition, the elevated bridge deck has fantastic sightlines, 360-degree viewing, and the sliding side windows open for better communication with dock crew or staff—not to mention fresh air.

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She’s got lots of room, too. Complementing the generous staterooms, the large settee forward with a fitted table electrically recesses to create a large berth when not in use. There’s also plenty of room to work the “weekender” galley with a spacious cooktop counter with sink, microwave, two-door refrigerator/freezer, and plenty of storage. The master is aft to port and has a separate door to the midship head while a nice VIP queen berth is aft to starboard. The raised helm design is what gives the 50 Evolution’s accommodations plenty of space for added comfort, and air conditioning, and a Seakeeper 6 gyro stabilizer, that are standard. 

In the cockpit, a really nice feature is the starboard bulwark that folds out over the water to expand the deck space and has a large ladder for swimming access. It’s a nice spot to hang when at anchor or at the sandbar. The cockpit is the primary space that changes if you prefer a fishing setup over a cruising setup. In the fishing version, two aft corner bait wells and a foldout aft bench seat replace an L-shape settee and table. Other than that, there are still rod holders in the transom splash well, the stowaway grill, sink, and cooler are tucked away conveniently until needed, an optional sunshade protects from too much sun, and the aft-facing mezzanine seat on the bridge deck overlooks all the action.

No need to worry about stepping up to a 50-footer. Intrepid has made the leap to provide a family-friendly, comfortable, easy-to-operate yacht with a great setup that offers plenty of room to enjoy that precious time on the water…away from it all.

Intrepid 50 Evolution Specifications:

LOA: 50’
Beam: 13’ 8”
Draft: 3’
Displ.: 35,000 lb.
Fuel: 750 gal.
Water: 100 gal.
Power: 3/600-hp Mercurys

This article originally appeared in the April 2025 issue of Power & Motoryacht magazine.