Day boats, in all shapes and sizes, have been increasing in popularity over the last few years. The Hinckley picnic boats with their elegant, classic looks and jet drives started the trend in the 1990s. But the desire for well-built, hard-charging boats with an emphasis on deck space and minimal cabins has only intensified since then. These days, the day-boat spectrum ranges from rugged rigid-hulled inflatables with surprisingly elegant topsides to modern mahogany runabouts to futuristic-looking craft with minimalist cockpits. The beautiful thing about day boats is that the new designs just keep coming, thanks partly to younger boaters who have abandoned long-distance cruises in favor of boats that offer immediate access to the water and the space for large social gatherings. Here are six of the world?s finest.