Pull the factory cross bars and put them in the basement for resale
w/car, get Yakima or Thule 'towers' and bars, and either company's boat
clips. Spread the bars as far apart as you can, use good straps, and
tie the bow to the tow hooks or use flip-out under hood straps. Worth
every penny you spend, and it's a longer term investment than just one
car. Subaru's factory bars are OK, and their rails are the best in the
industry, IMHO, but I've yet to feel as secure with a fairly hefty boat
on the factory rails. I have 2 sets of bars, 60" and 78". The 78s will
take two 36" beam canoes with ease.
Note - don't get Thule's fancy mounted straps. Just get 12-16' straps
from NRS, Ketter, etc and loop them over and back. Much more secure and
spread the load much better.

Happy paddling,

Marsh


wrote:
We're looking into purchasing a used canoe (an Old Town Penobscot 16, a
16 footer) and the only car we have to carry it is a 2005 Subaru
Forester. There's a roof rack on the forester, and from rough tape
measure estimates, it looks like it'll be close, but it will fit. I'm
curious, though, if anyone has any experience with trying to carry a
canoe on a stock Subaru rack, and what suggestions you would have.
We've done plenty of canoeing, but have never had our own to carry
around.

Any input would be appreciated!

Thanks!

Todd