When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Campion 682i SC 2009 and the Campion Explorer 542 SC 2010 are modified vee designs with fiberglass construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Campion 682i SC 2009 measures 25,0 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 5,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Campion Explorer 542 SC 2010 at 19,5 feet (2010). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Campion 682i SC 2009 tips the scales at 457 lbs — 258 lbs more than the Campion Explorer 542 SC 2010 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 320 hp, the Campion 682i SC 2009 has a 170-hp advantage over the Campion Explorer 542 SC 2010'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 682i SC 2009 carries 104 gallons versus 47 gallons in the Campion Explorer 542 SC 2010. 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 Explorer 542 SC 2010 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Campion 682i SC 2009 caps at 1. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Campion Explorer 542 SC 2010 could be the deciding factor.