2006 Campion Explorer 542 | Boat Review

[@jimquantic]

With all respect, this is more like a general rundown of the package, as opposed to a review which should include an assessment of how she handles in the chop and any pro/cons of the design and execution. I own this very model and can tell you a bit more: she rolls a lot, if you are prone to sea sickness, this may not be the hull design for you if you plan on ocean use. Then again, she has tons of free board and I never worry about someone going over the side, and I really like her performance in choppy water. Visibility is good and the fit and finish is surprisingly good, for example when you open the cuddy doors, they latch very solidly--and rattle free. She is also very large--for a boat that is this small, I know that sounds odd, but it is very true. That also means she is both easy to tow-and launch and recover. With the 150 Yamaha, she lays true in the water--that's a big deal, let me explain. These days, many boat/engine combos feature a heavy four stroke (like the Yamaha 150) and so they rise nose high, that means you need a hydroplane to pull the nose down with speed. Trouble with that is that at low speeds and rough conditions, the nose high posture is dangerous and waves and wind can put you in a bad fix in a hurry. This rig sits flat and true in the water, no small thing. She did NOT come with power steering, not sure if/when that became standard, I will need to pop for that upgrade at some point, I really don't like maneuvering without it. The super strong fiberglass/Kevlar makes me wonder--I really don't know, if she would be more brittle in a collision--maybe/maybe not. I do now the material is HARD, and stainless screws can brake trying to mount anything--so pre-drill very carefully, don't count on the normal give you normally get with straight fiberglass. I took out the port seat system and installed a small passenger seat and behind it, mounted a live bait system that seems to work well--the smallest made for sure, but it works well. Always, always, on this and any boat, check out the thru hull fittings, be sure you have one with the shut off installed--and if you don't install one properly. It could save you life. Mine is an 03, and I think by law they are required on newer hulls. As I said, make this a priority. Nice boat overall--one more thing, she does NOT self bail, that is not ideal, but on the other hand, she is pretty dry, hard to get water in, which is good. I have a half tower, which looks great, and it folds down to go under a canopy I built.

[@mikep3186]

Thanks for the review. You know the hull changed significantly in 05? It definitely now is self bailing and doesn't roll much in the ocean.