New materials and innovative designs combine to make 2011's crop of new boats some of the most intriguing ever.

Mastercraft ProStar 214v
Many companies have some wakeboard boats in their product mix, but Mastercraft creates nothing else. Since launching its first purpose-built towboat in 1968 – built in a horse barn in rural Tennessee – Mastercraft has established itself as the largest producer of inboard ski, wakeboard and luxury performance powerboats in the world, with customers in more than 30 countries. That global popularity is understandable after you spend a few minutes behind the wheel of the new ProStar 214v, the top model in its V-drive lineup.The list of standard features reads like some builder's options lists – cruise control, teak swim platform, digital throttle control for dialing in exactly the right pace, digital video gauges, tilt wheel, thumping stereo, removable ski pylon and snap-in carpet, to name a few. The option list is even more impressive, with amenities like heated seats, cockpit heat (invaluable early or late in the season), underwater transom lights, and a ZTF tower with lights and speakers. No matter how you deck it out, the ProStar 214v rocks thanks to its Indmar LY-6 small block V8, which spits out a heady 400 horsepower.

Campion Chase 650
The Canadian-made Campion Chase 650 scores points with its completely redesigned stern section for 2011, featuring a longer, lower swim platform decked out with a rubberized non-skid surface and integral telescoping boarding ladder. Even better, an aluminum receiver to starboard accepts a pedestal-mounted drink table, or even a barbecue. But the Chase really shines when you slip inside its new-for-2011 cockpit, highlighted by a massive rear lounge with an adjustable back cushion. Set the seat for a standard forward-facing ride, then flip it around when you anchor and enjoy a comfy view off the back – or fold it flat and enjoy a spacious, fully upholstered sun pad. A superlative fit and finish throughout speaks to Campion's construction quality, and ensures pride of ownership for years to come. Power options provide up to 380 horsepower. For 2011 the Chase series features Campion's exclusive Envirez bio-resin hull material, delivering maximum performance with minimal environmental impact. Rather than traditional fibreglass, the resins used to form this boat's hull are made from fully renewable sources, and even the foam core in the floor is specially selected to take advantage of the latest green technologies.

Chris-Craft Launch 25
Completely redesigned this year, Chris-Craft's iconic Launch 25 continues a tradition of exhilaration that began in 1930, when the Smith & Sons Boat Company began building a consumer version of their high-powered racing boat for an elite clientele. Today's Launch 25 remains faithful to the original while taking full advantage of next-generation designs and materials. Capable of accommodating engines of up to 400 horsepower, the Launch 25 is an ideal boat for bigger waters and full-day excursions thanks to its spacious main cockpit, expanded bow seating area and full aft U-shaped seating. An expansive stern sun pad makes the ideal place to catch a few rays, while the neatly integrated swim platform – with teak inlay – provides a handy jumping off point for an afternoon swim. Unique design elements, like the full mahogany steering wheel, speak to the Launch's heritage. But don't be fooled by the classic styling and retro finish – under its skin this boat is stuffed with enough high-tech to satisfy anyone's inner geek, as evidenced by modern touches like LED lighting packages, a digital dash and a Kenwood marine AM/FM/CD stereo that delivers concert-quality sound.

Chaparral 284 Sunesta
Start with a Kevlar-reinforced, aerodynamic hull then shoehorn a 320-horsepower V8 into the stern. Add plush upholstered seats and a 320-watt sound system; then check off every item on the option list and you have an idea of where Chaparral begins with its new-for-2011 284 Sunesta. Built for fun under the summer sun, the Sunesta blends tradition with out-of-the-box thinking to create a fresh and powerful approach to cottage boating. Nowhere is this more evident than in the 284's cockpit, featuring a fully digital dash, tilt wheel with power steering, and premium bucket seats. With essential options like snap-in carpeting, full underwater lighting package and optional custom aluminum arch tower, this is a boat that makes a distinctive statement – even when it's sitting still. Slam the throttle forward and it's impossible to hide a smile. With a big 227-litre fuel tank, the Sunesta can run all weekend. And with seating options to ensure no one is left behind, that translates into a lot of fun afloat.

Triumph 191 Fish & Ski
Nothing sucks the fun out of a boat ride faster than hitting a rock. Unless you're in a Triumph – the remarkable new boats that bounce off granite and keep right on going. Triumph rocketed to fame a few years ago when a YouTube video of two fishermen towing one of its boats to the lake sans trailer went uber-viral. In the video clip, the boat grinds along the highway and bounces through a field before sliding sideways into the water, upright and watertight. No fancy editing here, the video was legit, and Triumph has been known as the toughest boat in the world ever since. Now thanks to full-featured models like its all-new 191 Fish & Ski, it's also becoming known as a highly capable cottage boat. Able to handle outboards up to 150 horsepower, the Triumph 191 offers cottage-sensible standard features like a ski tow pylon, hydraulic steering, a self-bailing cockpit (no more worries about rain) and comfy seating for six. Add an optional Bimini cover to escape the summer sun, a stereo, and a swim platform with boarding ladder and you have the perfect rig for catching big fish or catching fresh air. Granite be damned!

Kavalk Sport Runner 25
The all-new SportRunner 25 is a semi-custom fibreglass sport boat for those who appreciate the finer things in life, yet aren't about to give up on practicality. Kavalk's Sport Runner – made by hand in Cornwall, Ontario – is the little sister to the company's highly-acclaimed 28 Adriatic, described as one of the most capable boats on the water. The Sport Runner offers many of the Adriatic's most compelling features and luxurious appointments in a package compact enough to fit in many boathouses. Its wide-open cockpit offers expansive floor space and a plush, multi-seat L-shaped lounge that easily accommodates up to seven passengers. The cockpit opens to the transom swim platform and sun pad area via two ample side passages, merging functionality with high standards of design, elegance and performance. Powered by a single 8.1-litre V8 engine from either MerCruiser or Volvo-Penta, the SportRunner 25 features a stepped hull design for optimal handling under all conditions. The notches formed into the hull bottom (or “steps”) reduce drag to provide more responsive handling, more spirited performance and improved fuel economy.

Tiara 3200 Open
You need a bigger boat. So who says it has to drive like a land yacht? Enter Tiara's stellar 3200 Open, a brand-new 35-footer that thinks it's a Jet-Ski. A foot longer and wider than the model it replaces, the 3200 Open is one of those rare gems that just does everything really, really well. Typically powered by a pair of Volvo big-block V8 diesels churning out a whopping 385 horsepower apiece, the big Tiara rips along fast enough to make you hold on to your hat, yet without the unpleasant bouncing that's typical of so many other day cruisers. It's the yacht that doesn't drive like one, behaving more like a ski boat with just a wee bit more interior space. The standard equipment list is several pages long, and includes all the luxuries one would expect in a premium cruiser – full galley, air conditioning, cabin heat, full head with shower, super-comfy stateroom, LCD big screen TV, luxurious upholstery and impeccable woodwork on the interior cabinetry – as well as those one expects to find outdoors, including a full wet bar in the cockpit with refrigerator and drink prep area. Outside, there's a full-width swim platform across the transom, stainless steel railings, full hard top, front sun pad, GPS and radar – everything needed for a summer afloat.

Yamaha SX210
The SX210 has been one of the most popular models in Yamaha's sport boat lineup for years, and the 2011 edition of this timeless classic has to be a serious contender on anyone's short list of great cottage boats. The standard feature list says it all: plush interior with luxuriously upholstered seats; twin engines for rocket-fast acceleration; snap-in carpet; No-Wake mode for quiet, ripple-free operation in marinas and speed zones; JBL stereo with concert-quality sound; front and rear boarding ladders; cavernous storage space for all sorts of gear and equipment; and the boat industry's most-copied stern seating arrangement, where the rear-facing seats integrate right into the swim platform. You can even install a table here, or a pedestal-mounted barbecue.Top that off with twin jet drives – no exposed propellers to threaten kids or pets, plus the ability to run in ultra-shallow water – and you have a boat that's very tough to beat. The helm is neatly laid out with digital instrumentation and a full bolster seat, allowing great visibility seated or standing. Those twin four-stroke jets push the SX210 to an easy 45 mph while still delivering exceptional fuel economy. And with its 190-litre fuel tank, that means a long, long time between gas stops.