Both the Campion Chase 530ob 2012 and the Campion Explorer 542 SC 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 Chase 530ob 2012 at 17,8 ft versus Campion Explorer 542 SC 2013 at 19,5 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Campion Explorer 542 SC 2013 tips the scales at 1 990 lbs - 190 lbs less than the Campion Chase 530ob 2012 at 1 800 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 - 150 hp for the Campion Chase 530ob 2012 and 150 hp for the Campion Explorer 542 SC 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 542 SC 2013 carries 47 gallons versus 24 gallons in the Campion Chase 530ob 2012. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Both boats are rated for 7 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.