Campion Powerboats from Canada for Sale

Campion

Canada has plenty of water. Large lakes, rivers and two long coastlines mean that "powerboating" can mean very different things there. A boat for salmon fishing off British Columbia needs different qualities than a Bowrider for waterskiing on an inland lake. For decades, Campion tried to cover quite a few of these needs at the same time. That explains a model history that can seem a little confusing on the used-boat market at first – and at the same time makes up much of the appeal of the Canadian brand.

Allante, Explorer, Chase – three different characters

European used boat buyers come across models from the Allante range particularly often. These include above all bowriders, sports and family boats as well as smaller cabin versions. Depending on the year built, they were offered with outboards or inboards with a sterndrive.

Explorer takes a different approach. These boats were designed more for fishing, coastal cruising and versatile use. Center console, walkaround and more sheltered versions were part of the line-up over the years.

And finally Chase. Here Campion went sportier: lower superstructures, powerful engines and performance were more in the spotlight.

Not just for the weekend

The Explorer series in particular shows the brand's North American background. Plenty of open working space, fishing features and rugged equipment play a bigger role than having as much upholstery as possible. The current Explorer models continue that tradition. Campion again offers the series in various sizes and versions – from the compact outboard to the larger coastal and fishing boat.

Allante, by contrast, remains more geared toward family and leisure use, while Chase covers the watersports segment. Today the more luxuriously positioned Muskoka range and Rage as a dedicated fishing boat have been added.

Almost 50 years of British Columbia

Campion Marine was founded in 1974 in British Columbia. Gordon Elliott and Ross Jardine are named as its founders. Over the following decades, what began as a regional manufacturer developed into one of the more significant independent Canadian GRP boatbuilders.

The yard produced in Kelowna on Okanagan Lake for many years. At times, numerous models were built there under several brand names and series. Alongside Allante, Chase and Explorer, the Svfara wake and surf boats were also part of the program, for example. In 2013, Campion also acquired the long-established American brands Reinell and Bluewater. At that time, the company described itself as Canada's largest independent boatbuilder.

2018 marks the start of a new chapter

After decades as a family business, Campion was sold to KV Private Equity of Edmonton at the end of 2018. Four years later came a far more significant turning point: production in Kelowna ended in 2022. The factory there was closed and the production facilities auctioned off. After almost five decades, this brought the direct connection between Campion and the Okanagan Valley to an end.

Familiar names, new boats

The brand itself, however, did not disappear. Campion announced a reorganization of its manufacturing and fundamentally developed its model range further. Today Campion Marine is based in Edmonton and presents a new generation of boats under the well-known names Explorer, Allante and Chase as well as the Muskoka and Rage ranges. Campion itself describes the current overhaul as the most extensive revision of its model range since boat production began in the 1970s.

Buying a used Campion

For the European used boat market, it is mainly the older generation of models that is of interest. Here you will find, for example, the Allante 535, 545, 565, 595 or 625, various Explorer models and sporty Chase models. Larger older cruisers from the Victoria series also turn up occasionally.
Because Campion has built a great many variants over the decades, the exact model designation including the year built should be clarified before purchase. Two Campions of similar length may have been designed for completely different purposes.