
Comparatively, stern drives typically offer much better fuel efficiency than outboards and are much quieter since they are enclosed. Outboards generally weigh less than stern drives of similar power, are easier to access for maintenance and open up space in the aft cockpit, making them more practical for fishing. However, with an outboard engine, the boat is given a new name: the Explorer 682 O/B Sport Cabin Bracket. We tested the Explorer 682i, which is powered by a stern drive, but the boat is also available with an outboard. According to the company, it also creates less wetted surface and a more stable platform at high speeds. One Small Step, One Giant Leap Campion calls its APEX (Advanced Pressure Expansion) Lift System new design technology for a V-bottom boat, and claims that it induces faster planing. In recent years, Campion has converted nearly its entire product line with its award-winning APEX hull. Brand new for the 2002 model year, the Explorer 682 replaces the 672 sport "ute," which featured a conventional deep-V hull. The Campion family of boats includes runabouts, express cruisers and luxury sport utilities. Campion has dealerships located in 30 countries worldwide. The company has grown to become the largest independent boat builder in Canada. Established in 1974 by Gordon Elliott and the father-and-son team of Ross and Rex Jardine, Campion Marine is still run by the Elliott family. At its halfway point lies the city of Kelowna, a top tourist destination and home to Campion Marine Inc. Stretching 80 miles, from Penticton in the south to Vernon in the north, Okanagan Lake is touted as one of British Columbia's most popular summer recreational hot spots. To test the Explorer 682 Sport Cabin, Go Boating's test team set out on its own little adventure to Okanagan Lake, British Columbia, which is about a five-hour drive from Vancouver. A practical cockpit layout and luxurious cabin make this sport utility a remarkably versatile boat, providing active families unlimited opportunities for adventure. This is where the amenities of the Explorer 682 come in handy.

While being able to rough it is important, if you're like most boaters, most of your "cruise" time will be spent anchored in a sheltered cove or docked overnight at a marina. Head seas, following seas, quartering seas - the all-new Campion Explorer 682 Sport Cabin has been designed to handle all conditions with ease, thanks to its innovative APEX hull with Kevlar laminate reinforcement along the keel. A practical cockpit layout and luxurious cabin make this sport utility a remarkably versatile boat.
