Matching a modified vee Campion 542 SC 2009 against a deep vee Campion Allante 545i 2012 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Campion 542 SC 2009 at 19,0 ft versus Campion Allante 545i 2012 at 20,2 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Campion Allante 545i 2012 tips the scales at 2 886 lbs — 2 687 lbs less than the Campion 542 SC 2009 at 199 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 225 hp, the Campion Allante 545i 2012 has a 75-hp advantage over the Campion 542 SC 2009's 150-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Campion 542 SC 2009 carries 47 gallons versus 29 gallons in the Campion Allante 545i 2012. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Campion Allante 545i 2012 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Campion 542 SC 2009 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Campion Allante 545i 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Campion Allante 545i 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 20,2 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Campion 542 SC 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.