I guess you weren't around in the 60's to 80's maybe. It was common to haul a boat around on the top of a 22 foot or so long ( name any of the Big 3) family car. I went halves with a buddy on an old Sears 12" Cartopper in the early 80's. The 4 HP Elgin motor fit in the back seat. I think the Elgin was sold by Eatons. They must have sold them too. You could buy a boat and motor from the catalogues.
Dad's 1960 Chevy Impala station wagon fit 9 adults or 13 with 5 kids in the rear facing back seat, we all wanted the back seat. Open the back window and hang out as far as you could without falling out, and no seatbelts. I was going to say no one died but that's not true, some little kids did fall out. Mr. Falwell could take our entire line up and his wife to games.