Both the Campion Allante 485 Forster 2013 and the Campion Explorer 492 CC 2013 are deep-V designs, both built in fibreglass, so 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?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - Campion Allante 485 Forster 2013 at 16,1 ft versus Campion Explorer 492 CC 2013 at 17,4 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Campion Explorer 492 CC 2013 tips the scales at 1 170 lbs - 230 lbs less than the Campion Allante 485 Forster 2013 at 940 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling - 90 hp for the Campion Allante 485 Forster 2013 and 90 hp for the Campion Explorer 492 CC 2013. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Campion Explorer 492 CC 2013 carries 26 gallons versus 13 gallons in the Campion Allante 485 Forster 2013. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Both boats are rated for 5 passengers - a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Campion Allante 485 Forster 2013 comes in at 10 lbs per hp versus 13 lbs per hp for the Campion Explorer 492 CC 2013. The lower the ratio the more explosive the acceleration - meaningful on a short RIB where bursts of speed, quick planing, and agility in surf or tight waterways define the experience.