Tow Small Boat with 4 Door Sedan?

[idzlca824]

This may sound ridiculous to some, but I am asking to see how feasible this is. I have an 07 Nissan Altima, which I believe has a towing capacity of 1000 pounds, not much I know. I am looking to buy a small boat, a Lowe A1467WT, with an approx weight of 377 pounds. It seems to be a little bit better than a Jon Boat, and possibly light enough to tow.

I am only looking to fish local reservoirs in my county, which would have concrete boats. My question is, with my car and possible boat purchase, would my car be able to handle the boat properly within reason, or would it struggle. The best option would to buy a small truck, but I still have two years of payments left and want to get it paid off first.

Thanks for any help in the matter.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Tow Small Boat with 4 Door Sedan?

no problem

but I don't understand the "concrete boats" part.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Tow Small Boat with 4 Door Sedan?

+1 what he said .... both parts

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Tow Small Boat with 4 Door Sedan?

I tow my 2000 pound boat 1000's of miles per year with my 4 door sedan... If your boat is as light as you say it is, it won't be a problem...

 

[idzlca824]

Re: Tow Small Boat with 4 Door Sedan?

my mistake, i meant concrete docks, essentially docks that are finished and don't require a 4x4.

Thanks for the reply. If there is anything else to consider, please let me know.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Tow Small Boat with 4 Door Sedan?

my mistake, i meant concrete docks, essentially docks that are finished and don't require a 4x4.

Thanks for the reply. If there is anything else to consider, please let me know.

i'm guessing you mean ramps, not docks... Docks are the floating or anchored things you tie up to. Ramps are what you drive on.

 

[idzlca824]

Re: Tow Small Boat with 4 Door Sedan?

i'm batting a 1000 today it seems.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Tow Small Boat with 4 Door Sedan?

No, I think you are batting about .047

Anyway, you shouldn't be swinging a bat near your computer.

Enjoy the new boat.

 

[idzlca824]

Re: Tow Small Boat with 4 Door Sedan?

Thanks again for everyone's help.

Just one final question. For people with a similar setup, are there any precautions one should take, or one will notice while towing a small boat. Speed, stop distances, and of course turning will be special considerations, but I wasn't sure if there was anything else to keep in mind.

Also, I think I will be just under the weight limit of 1000 pounds, trailer is probably close to 500 pounds, boat under 400, etc. With all things considered, is it too much of a risk on the car to tow it, or am I being paranoid.

 

[riptide09]

Re: Tow Small Boat with 4 Door Sedan?

Don't load so much gear in the boat it puts you over the weight limit. Outboard, full gas tank, fishing gear, trolling motor, battery and full cooler add up fast.

I think you are being paranoid. I tow a Jon Boat and gear with a Subaru all the time.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Tow Small Boat with 4 Door Sedan?

since you are hauling "locally" you don't have to worry about your car's mechanics. As for driving, practice practice practice--where it's safe and not crowded. Practice your stops, especially. If you make a hard stop and feel the boat start to swerve, let off the brakes and roll straight. Make wide turns at right angles. Be mindful that you have a low rig and you can scrape at dips, like an inclined driveway.

 

[rrhodes]

Re: Tow Small Boat with 4 Door Sedan?

You won't have any issues towing a small boat. I pulled by JonBoat years/decades ago with a Toyota Tercel. Remember to set your emergency brake at the ramp.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Tow Small Boat with 4 Door Sedan?

They used to have concrete boat races on Greers Ferry lake. Now they just have cardboard boat races. Don't tow a concrete boat with your car. Too much weight.

 

[sw33ttooth]

Re: Tow Small Boat with 4 Door Sedan?

my uncle has a ford tuaris? not sure on spelling i think its an 2003 any way he tows a princecroft 17 ft with out a problem. i mean yeh the hitch is a 4 inch raise and the boat slants down hill but the car doesn't sag and he uses it for a 3 hour drive few times a year usally has a 24 ft trailer full of wood behind his truck is why. also the car has 110,000 miles and hasn't had new brakes yet [must be magical i do brake job on my truck every year to 2 years].

 

[Sixmark]

Re: Tow Small Boat with 4 Door Sedan?

You won't have any issues towing a small boat. I pulled by JonBoat years/decades ago with a Toyota Tercel. Remember to set your emergency brake at the ramp.

Ummm, make sure to test your emergency brake prior to taking the boat out, if it hasn't been used on a regular basis then it may lock up while at the ramp and you will find yourself catching many an unpleasant look from other people waiting to use the blocked ramp.