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.