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For more than three decades, Craig Blackwell has been a trusted name in custom sportfishing. His boats, ranging from 26 to 73 feet, have become fixtures up and down the East Coast. Now, the family legacy enters a new phase as Craig passes the torch to his son Jeff and son-in-law Bow, who bring fresh energy and a vision for the future.
Their first build under this new leadership is the 50XL—an aggressively styled, modern sport-fisher named Oh Well. Designed for a seasoned owner with diverse fishing demands, the 50XL showcases Blackwell’s signature craftsmanship while incorporating innovative features and a more contemporary profile.
Cockpit and Mezzanine
The cockpit layout is anything but standard. At the center is a custom Blackwell-built multi-use cockpit box—a Swiss Army knife of function. It integrates a bait box, fishbox, drink holders, and a wealth of rod holders. Mounted to a Release Marine chair plate, it can be easily swapped for a rocket launcher or full fighting chair, depending on the day’s target species.
Classic Carolina details are ever present: a curved transom, teak coverboards, a transom door, and a large transom fishbox all maintain the traditional Blackwell style. Below deck, a Freeman watertight lazarette hatch blends seamlessly into the teak Flexiteek-covered cockpit floor. Below, the lazarette provides generous access to rudders, steering, fuel sight tubes, and additional storage—a must for offshore functionality and serviceability.
Flybridge
The 50XL lives up to her name with a spacious, well-appointed bridge that offers the comfort and functionality of a much larger vessel. At the heart of the bridge is a portside peninsular helm, anchored by a rich teak helm pod and flanked by twin Release Marine helm chairs. The helm is equipped with dual 19” Simrad displays and a single Furuno unit, placing essential navigation and fish-finding capabilities at the operator’s fingertips. Engine gauges, gear indicators, dual VHF radios, and the autopilot display are arranged below the main screens for easy access and clear visibility.
To the port side of the lower helm, two large doors open to reveal a vacant console area, ideal for custom installations or additional storage. Above the center helm chair, a pair of Miya Epoch US9-R teaser reels are concealed behind a sliding door, ready for action without disrupting the clean lines of the space. On the starboard side, the bridge’s electrical panel, Fusion stereo system, and Seakeeper controls are thoughtfully enclosed, keeping essential systems protected yet accessible.
The forward seating is both comfortable and functional. An L-shaped lounge accommodates up to four people and offers generous storage below, while a starboard-side bench serves as a relaxing lounger with great visibility. Additional storage is found in the brow of the bridge, accessible through large doors designed to maximize every inch of usable space. Overall, the bridge of the 50XL blends thoughtful design, comfort, and practicality, making it a standout in the fifty-foot class.
Interior
Entering the salon through a port-offset teak door, you are surrounded by vertical grain teak veneers. The design emphasizes simplicity, comfort, and ample storage. To port, an L-shaped sofa provides a welcoming lounge area, while the dinette to starboard offers additional seating and cleverly concealed drawers throughout the salon provide a place for everything imaginable. Beneath your feet, a cork floor offers a soft, comfortable feel and excellent noise dampening from the engine room below.
To port, the well-appointed galley is outfitted with twin Vitrifrigo refrigerator/freezer units, a microwave, and an under-counter cooktop—everything needed for meal prep at sea. Above the starboard dinette, a 42” TV lifts to reveal hidden storage within the brow and access to essential electrical components.
Down the companionway steps, a versatile open area features twin bunks and an additional freezer. The teak paneling on the freezer is designed for easy removal should replacement be required. Just forward, what could have been a second head has been transformed into a highly functional tackle room. Wall and floor-mounted rod storage, a credenza-style cabinet, and a dedicated rigging table ensure your gear is organized and ready for action.
Across the hall to starboard, a spacious head includes a sink and a large shower—perfect for refreshing after a long day on the water. Adjacent to the head, a tall locker provides ample hanging space for rain gear and deep storage for tackle boxes and spare parts.
At the bow, the master stateroom offers a full bed and an additional single bunk, both with deep storage beneath for larger items. A generous hanging locker to port and a drawer unit below completes the space, combining comfort with practical storage. Every detail of this layout has been designed to optimize your time on the water.
Engine Room
A centerline mezzanine hatch offers direct access to the engine room, positioning the entry point just forward of the Seakeeper 9 gyrostabilizer. Notably, the hatch and surrounding cove have been engineered by Blackwell to allow full extraction of the Seakeeper unit without requiring disassembly—streamlining future maintenance or replacement procedures.
The forward section of the engine room houses a Northern Lights generator, a dedicated toolbox, and a watermaker. Below the mechanical shelf, is organized access to the vessel’s pump array and associated thru-hulls, which distribute seawater to the various onboard systems.
Battery banks, chargers, and spare filter sets are mounted along the hull sides. Notably, side access remains unimpeded even for taller individuals—at 6’2″, I was able to maneuver easily, which speaks to the generous room and overall beam utilization of this 50-foot platform.
Performance
The 50 XL is remarkably nimble, easily maneuvering around the docks even without engaging the bow thruster. Chasing down a feisty Blue Marlin will be a piece of cake with this kind of performance.
Once underway, she delivered impressive performance numbers: cruising comfortably at 1800 RPM, she made 28 knots while burning just 53 gallons per hour. Bumping her up to 1950 RPM yielded a high cruise speed of 31 knots with fuel burn increasing to 65 gph. At full throttle—2250 RPM—she scooted along just shy of 36 knots. An impressive showing for a fully loaded fifty-footer.
If you are in the market for a beautiful, fuel-efficient, 50-foot battlewagon, keep your eyes peeled for the Blackwell 50 as she plies the waters off the New Jersey coast. Her refined Carolina styling, paired with the muscle of an overbuilt sport fisher, is sure to turn heads—both on the water and back at the dock.
Blackwell Boatworks 50XL Specs
- LOA: 50’11”
- Beam: 16’11”
- Draft: 4’6”
- Displ.: 53,485 LBS
- Fuel: 800 GAL
- Water: 135 GAL
- Power: 13-liter 900 HP
- Gears/Ratio: ZF400A 2.192
- Propellers: Veems 31X48 4-blade
- Paint: Awlgrip Crystal Silver
- Climate Control: Mabru
