Need Roof Rack For 2 Bikes Or Canoe

[flyfisherman]

GOt new car 2003 Grand AM with moon roof, looking at Yakima racks, first are they good racks, second I would like to buy on ebay and have not a clue as to which to buy. Questions are are the Roof mount towers different for gutterless cars and cars with gutters? I know the clips are different but are the towers the same and for how many years have they been the same? What is the best type Yakima bike carriers for quick and easy mounting? Also if I want to carry my canoe do I need Yakima attachments or can I just tie the canoe on the roor racks. Canoe is a 12 or 14 foot Sprots PAl aircraft aluminum. Thanks in advance.

[demoncyclist]

YAkima and Thule are the 2 biggest names in roof transport systems. I have had Thule for as long as I can remember, but eithre system is fine. In both systems, the towers are different for gutter/gutterless applications. Go to www.yakima.com or www.thuleracks.com and use the vehicle fit guide to figure out what you need. Canoe carriers aren't specifically needed to carry, but load stops and straps that hold the canoe to the rack, along with bow and stern lines to the tow hooks under your bumpers are the most secure way to carry a long item on the roof.

[madpogue]

All the "big three" (Thule, Yakima and Saris) sell gunwale brackets or watersports saddles for their load bars. They're expensive, of course. Me, I just have bike mounts. So I use the blocks that hold the wheel trays as "stops" to keep a canoe or kayak from moving laterally on the bars, and simple tie-down straps to keep it snug. As a macabre experiment, I'm going to try to use the upright bike mounts and some clever use of straps to hold a kayak or solo canoe sideways, so I can carry two boats.

BTW, you'll find tons of such equipment on eBay. You may have to buy the clips/towers for your car new, but there are LOTS of load bars and mounts out there.