I dont see a problem starting a new thread on the Campions, people have run them for awhile now and have new opinions on the two.
I have a 602 b with a 200 Etec on it, only had it at Prince Rupert once this year and worked great our there, very stable in the rough water, very easy to fish out of as well.
I dont think you can go wrong with either the 542 or the 602 - with the 602 inboard you get a heater as well, that would be a nice feature in the am.
Good luck on your search, hopefully others reply and help you out.