Father time eventually wins every battle. I’ve kayaked for several years on my 11.5 foot Preception Striker. But it’s taking a toll. It’s hard to be sitting cramped in one spot for three or four hours at a time, and all that rowing, while good exercise, is harder and harder to do and takes its toll at my age.  I love to fish and still wanna do it for many years to come
 

I rented a 14 foot aluminum boat today with a 5 hp engine and while I got skunked, it was still a much different experience than the kayak. Better in many ways at this stage in my life.  It was actually nice to be able to stand and move around and not have body parts go numb from sitting in one spot in tight confinement.  And I could just have all my tackle spread out everywhere on the floor. Something as simple putting on a new lure is multiple times easier on a boat than a kayak.  I was able to bring five poles without any of them being in the way. 

 

My issue at this point though is that I drive a 2019 Nissan Sentra. Realistically, is it a pipe dream to think I can get maybe a 12 foot aluminum boat and hitch it up and tow it? Most of my fishing trips are within 10 miles from my house and some 15 miles. I’ve been blessed with some nice lakes around here. Some of the roads can be a bit hilly.
 

Thoughts/suggestions?

If the torque is adequate, then it should be good.

 

I recently traded my 2001 Silverado ( which the local shop said needed a new engine) for a 2014 VW Jetta TDI Wagon - diesel powered. Once I put a hitch on the Jetta, it's got more than enough power to tow Bass Trek around.

You'll be fine.

It'll work just fine.

Not much weight there. You’re fine. 

If you take it easy and not try to run 60 - 70 mph and don’t tow in drive, stay out of the over drive gear, and you should have no problems.  Back when I 16 I towed a 14ft glass boat with 65hp Merc on it about 6 miles to ramp with a VW a lot.  I had to replace the clutch a couple of times because of the steep ramp.

If you are feeling the drag of the boat behind you, slow down util you can hardly tell it’s back there.

5 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

If the torque is adequate, then it should be good.

 

I recently traded my 2001 Silverado ( which the local shop said needed a new engine) for a 2014 VW Jetta TDI Wagon - diesel powered. Once I put a hitch on the Jetta, it's got more than enough power to tow Bass Trek around.

Sweet set up with that seat on top and trolling motor. Definitely giving me ideas. How long is your boat?

7 minutes ago, Ruy Lopez said:

Sweet set up with that seat on top and trolling motor. Definitely giving me ideas. How long is your boat?

It's 14' - I ripped the original three seats out, build a sub-floor and filled that with pour-foam, then a superstructure of aluminum angle and decked it out.

Pic of mid-build.

I had a 12’  with a 6 hp and trolling motor and I towed it with a Pontiac Aztec.

It made a trip from Florida to North Carolina many a time.

On 8/28/2025 at 5:08 PM, Swamp Girl said:

You'll be fine.

I miss that boat, an absolute ton of good memories in that boat. 

Shouldn’t be any problem at all. Not much tongue weight to speak of, and not much weight overall. 
 

Power-wise should be no concern, I don’t know what the specs are on your Sentra, but I guarantee it would run circles around the ‘55 Willys Jeep that I towed my first boat around with.

The towing capacity of a 2019 Nissan Sentra is 2000 lbs.  You'll be fine.

You can find after market trailer hitches that will fit this model Sentra that are rated to tow 2,000lbs. but there's no way the car is rated to tow 2,000lbs.  The curb weight is only 2,889lbs. and it's max payload is around 900 to 987lbs.  Towing a 2000lb. trailer with a Sentra is a dangerous deal.

 

You shouldn't have any trouble finding a light weight rig weighting much less than 1,000lbs and with the right hitch, have no problems.  

 

Your Sentra will pull that boat just fine. The pulling is rarely the problem, it’s the stopping. With that light of a rig, stopping shouldn’t be a problem either.