Americans have always suspected that Canadians are a little bit different. Sure, Peter Jennings,
Alex Trebek and Michael J. Fox seem like normal guys, but having an extended-play winter has got to
change your perspective on things. Take boatbuilding: One would think that boats north of the
border would be designed to extract maximum usage like a sensible but ugly coat. Enclose the
cockpit and make sure it's fitted with a heater capable of melting plastic boots and now we can go
boating in Canada.
But Campion, a boatbuilder from British Columbia, begs to differ. Maybe due to the fact that
its summers are so short it feels the need to get as much fun in the sun as possible, because the
Allante LX 925 is made for those people who live for the long days of the year. One positive effect
of the long winter must
be that it keeps engineers cooped up at their computers longer, because not only is the
Allante a hot performer, it's also good-looking and very well laid out.
The first things you notice about the LX 925 are the four sculpted headlights at the bow and
its graceful profile, accentuated by the swoop-down rub rail and waterline accent stripe. The
Allante looks sporty, but it's not a case of a sheep wearing wolf's clothing; the LX 925 can
flat-out move.
Our test boat is powered by a pair of 240-hp, 5.0L MerCruiser engines, the next-to-smallest
package offered. These efficient, small-block V8s have a displacement of 305 cubic inches each and
provide power to the twin prop Bravo III outdrives: a nice package but certainly no world beater .
. . right? As Gomer Pyle would say, 'surprise, surprise, surprise.' Campion boats feature the
patented Apex Lift System hull, which channels water back ' rather than out the sides ' and
increases lifting pressure. The strakes use the undisturbed water on either side of the keel to
also increase lift while giving it stability, and the notched transom allows the spill off to rise
sooner, further reducing drag. What all this means is that with a full 110 gallons of gas on board
and our modest engine package, the Allante is a 50-mph cruiser. Hey, when your summers are this
short, who has time to poke around? Campion claims that when equipped with the optional 6.2L
engines, the 925 is capable of 60 mph and higher speeds.
Driving the LX 925 at top speed is like driving your car on the interstate. The Allante feels
stable at any speed, and even with the trim set high for cruising, cranking the Momo wood and
stainless-steel sport wheel results in responsive cornering. Trimming down farther allows the 925
to be thrown into turns like a bowrider going after a downed skier, and although our test lake is
small, it is crosshatched with numerous large boat wakes that confirm that the 20-degree deadrise
does a fine job of smoothing out the chop. The Campion's 9,100-pound weight is heavy enough to feel
substantial, but is light enough to allow good performance. The hull's layup is impressive. Campion
uses the F.I.S.T one-piece stringer system for superior structural integrity, along with Corecell
closed-cell foam for strength and lightness, Neste gel coat for durability and good looks, and
bulletproof Kevlar along the keel just in case you need the LX 925 to perform icebreaker duties
while out cruising.
The helm station is a nice blend of good looks and ergonomics. The top row of aluminum-faced
Faria gauges sit high above the wheel and feature sculpted eyebrows. The array includes a Fluxgate
electronic compass that adds a high-tech look and eliminates the need for a conventional above-dash
bubble model that invariably creates a visible ghost on the windshield. The smaller information
gauges on the right side are set two by two, aircraft style, which makes it easy to see if
something is amiss. Just below are the Bennett trim tab position indicators, which are large for
easy reading. Unfortunately, the dash doesn't leave a lot of room for electronics, and the optional
map GPS has to be mounted on the starboard gunwale. A sporty touch is the standard Gaffrig racing
controls, which have separate gear and throttles and a thumb switch for the trim. The doublewide
helm seat has a flip-up seat bottom that allows the captain plenty of room to stand.
On the port side is a recliner couch with a rearward-facing backrest that is angled for your
horizontal pleasure. On the passenger dash is a cruise guide holder with an acrylic cover for handy
copilot reference. Just behind the port settee is the wet bar, which can be equipped with either a
refrigerator or icemaker. The starboard U-lounge is comfortable and features storage underneath,
which is accessed by pulling the seat bottoms out and up. A wide walkthrough leads to the stern
platform, which has a pair of fender boots with stainless-steel circlets and a transom shower for
hosing off. There's a large flip-open storage area that can even be accessed under the stern seat.
The three-step stainless-steel swim ladder is hidden to preserve the stern's clean look, and in
case careless crew members leave the ladder down, an indicator light tells the captain to make it
secure before amusing everyone on the lake.
The foredeck features a wide enough walk around, and the tall grabrail makes it safe to go
forward to handle anchor duties if you don't opt for the electric windlass, and there's an anchor
locker near the integrated bow pulpit. After pulling up 100 feet of rode, anchor attendants can
collapse on the thick bow sunpad that is bracketed by grabrails for sunner safety.
Probably the most surprising place on the Allante LX 925 is the cabin. Walking down the
sculpted ash stairs lets you know the Campion is a different sort of boat. Immediately you'll be
amazed at the amount of decorative wood used in its construction. From the standard hardwood floors
and cabinetry, to the sturdy double-posted dining room table, the effect created is one of warmth.
Optical illusions abound. The V-berth appears small, until a 6-footer lies down and discovers
nearly half a foot more legroom exists. The queen-sized mid-ship berth looks huge with a mirror
along the bulkhead, but doesn't seem to have much headroom until you get in and lie down and
discover that the full-liner ceiling opens up generously. It would be an understatement to say the
cabin is well-lit, as it has at least 10 electric lights, three overhead hatches and four opening
portholes.
Audio/visual entertainment is king on board. In addition to the standard topside Clarion
radio/CD player with eight speakers, the cabin features an optional JVC mini-stack stereo that
gives the available Clarion TV and VCR surround-sound capability.
The new flagship of the Campion line is an innovative and well-built cruiser. The LX 925 can
be equipped with either Volvo or MerCruiser sterndrives and comes to the United States with a pair
of Volvo 4.3L Gi engines. For the money you get a boat that is fast, handles well, and makes
excellent use of available space along with including standard features that are options on most
boats. Although the Allante is born in Canada, expect to see more of them immigrating south of the
border.