Boat Test: 2025 Intrepid 50 Evolution

The 50 Evolution blends luxury and performance. Courtesy Intrepid Powerboats Visit Intrepid Powerboats Build Your Intrepid Find an Intrepid Dealer Overview

Intrepid Powerboats has figured out how to blend luxury, performance and fishing on a balanced basis with the new 50 Evolution. It’s a cruiser with a well-appointed cabin, as well as a fishing boat that can be tricked-out to target any gamefish. And for both, it delivers the performance that most boaters can only envy.

Powered by triple Mercury Verado 600 hp V-12 outboards, the single-step hull responds quickly to throttle and wheel inputs. Lifting strakes get the hull up and out, with a comfortable cruising speed of 35.7 mph at 4,000 rpm, burning 76 gph. Wide open, the 50 Evolution produces 54 mph (average from reciprocal runs), offering a comfortable and stable ride. My fortune on this trial day was a run from Palm Beach, Florida, to Dania, Florida, on the open Atlantic. I noted a solid feel as we sped over a 2-foot chop and occasional larger rollers. Equipped with twin control levers, plus a joystick, the 50 Evolution also proved ­agile in the marina as we wiggled through a maze of floating docks.

Twin 22-inch Garmin 9222 multifunction displays are found at the helm. Courtesy Intrepid Powerboats Interior and Accessories

With its tiered design, the helm housed twin 22-inch Garmin 9222 multifunction displays in a way that provided easy visibility and access. Just below, find the Fusion stereo controller and Mercury engine display. Twin pedestal-mounted helm seats proved super comfortable with ­vented backrests, armrests and thick bolsters. Fold-down footrests are a benefit that all will appreciate.

Notably, the Merc 600s remain stationary (only the lower units turn), providing a cleaner installation with a large transom platform and extended wings to facilitate boarding, either dockside or from the water. A pantograph hinged transom door swings outboard, saving space.

Comfortable seating is found throughout the 50 Evolution. Courtesy Intrepid Powerboats

Extend the Evolution’s cockpit space by deploying the starboard hullside fold-down terrace. Seating includes a flush-mounted pullout transom bench seat, with diamond stitched padding and backrest. Three steps up, there’s aft-facing mezzanine seating for watching kids or lines in the water. (I applauded the angled, built-in ­footrest.) Along the port side, find a well-­padded L-shaped bench with storage inside, keeping crew and captain within speaking distance. All of this seating is under the integrated hardtop that is enclosed on three sides, including forward-sliding side power windows. The supersize, raked single-pane forward windshield provides a fabulous panoramic view.

The built-in grill makes entertaining a breeze. Courtesy Intrepid Powerboats

Cockpit features include a large drawer to port that reveals a built-in grill and sink. Below is another drawer with a built-in cooler. Anglers may opt for the port/starboard aft corner livewells (with windows/light). Fish boxes, tackle closet, GEM outriggers, and spreader and underwater lights will all help your game. A Seakeeper 6 gyrostabilizer helps to reduce the roll when drifting. Below the cockpit sole is the machine room, with access to systems, plumbing, wiring and other services. An 11 kW Kohler diesel generator is here, with its own 50-gallon fuel tank.

Store the sticks in the rod holders on port and starboard gunwales, on the hardtop, and in six across the transom. As part of a ­semicustom approach, rod holders can be added to the ­owner’s preferences. To wit, the 50 that I tested boasted a dozen rod holders installed flush in the cabin sole.

A forward raised V-settee surrounds an electric high/low wood table that converts from a dining area to a wide berth. Courtesy Intrepid Powerboats

Heading belowdecks, through the centerline companionway, I found a sumptuous, spacious cabin fitted for weekending with the family or fishing a multiday excursion. The interior is beautifully constructed with a satin finish on the wood doors, cabinets and flooring. Sporting more than 8 feet of headroom, you won’t mind hanging out inside. A forward raised V-settee surrounds an electric high/low wood table that converts from a dining area to a wide berth. A dedicated locker for the filler cushion is out of the way in the peak. Note that the teak flooring is ½-inch thick; the inevitable nick or scratch won’t show through like it will aboard boats with thin laminate flooring. To starboard is a galley with a single-burner cooktop, microwave, sink, and side-by-side fridge/freezer. A 42-inch TV is bulkhead-mounted. To port is the head with an enclosed shower stall, electric toilet, custom counters, and plenty of elbow room. The master stateroom lies amidships, with a hullside window and storage. To starboard is a VIP queen-berth stateroom.

A 42-inch TV is bulkhead-mounted. Courtesy Intrepid Powerboats The head is equipped with an enclosed shower stall, electric toilet and custom counters. Courtesy Intrepid Powerboats

Full walk-around side decks (10 inches wide) make traversing to the bow easy. High rails (20 to 24 inches) make it safe, and the recessed windlass and anchor-line storage keeps the deck clear. You can order a sun pad on the foredeck with chaise longue seating if desired. As part of the company’s evolution, the 50 replaces the popular 477 model. With the beam at 13 feet, 8 inches, it is a longer hull, carries more fuel, and has new hullside windows and a larger terrace. The hardtop allows for the main deck enclosure and includes a sunroof. 

You can order a sun pad on the foredeck with chaise longue seating if desired. Courtesy Intrepid Powerboats

As of press time, a comparable boat that we know of has not been built. But you could look at Tiara’s 48 LE (see our performance test review at boatingmag.com/tiara48letest), which offers express cabin luxury, triple Mercury 600 V-12 outboard performance, and can be optioned to fish. It runs on a conventional V-hull, as ­opposed to the Intrepid’s step-hull, and starts at $2,038,500. Intrepid informs us that the MSRP of the 50 Evolution is $2,450,000 and that most boats sell for around $2,300,000, depending on how you personalize the boat. Overall, Intrepid’s 50 Evolution ranks as one of the best sportyachts in this range.

Read Next: Intrepid 41 Panacea

The starboard hullside fold-down terrace expands cockpit space. Courtesy Intrepid Powerboats How We Tested

• Engines: Triple Mercury Verado 600 V-12
• Drive/Prop: Outboard/19″ pitch, contra-rotating propsets stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 2.95:1/2.50:1 Fuel Load: 600 gal. Water on Board: 100 gal. Crew Weight: 625 lb.

High Points

• Grab rail along the inside lip of the hardtop.
• Drawer with grill and sink is a great idea.
• Finely tuned hull is responsive and easy to pilot.

Low Points

• Needs a few grab rails in the helm area.
• VHF radio should be relocated from side wall to dash.
• Change single-burner cooktop in galley to a dual-burner.

Pricing and Specs Price:$2,450,000 (MSRP)LOA:50’0″Beam:13’8″Draft (max):2’6″Displacement (approx.):35,000 lb.Transom Deadrise:19.2 degreesBridge Clearance:13’6″Max Cabin Headroom:8’1″Fuel Capacity:750 gal.Max Horsepower:1,800Available Power:Triple Mercury Verado 600 V-12 outboards Speed, Efficiency, Operation Intrepid Powerboats 50 Evolution Certified Test Results Boating Magazine Contact Intrepid Powerboats

Intrepid Powerboats – Dania, Florida; intrepidpowerboats.com

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