Yes, we are the proud owners. Love it in every way except one, so far: the factory-installed anchor points for adding a roof rack (hidden under pry-off access covers in the roof rails) are only 27.5 inches apart, front-to-back. Yakima offers an excellent solution of landing pads and towers which would allow us to continue to use our existing bike and ski components, but a 27.5 inch bar spread (Yakima actually lists it at 28) is less than their recommended 30 inch spread for a 17.5 ft Kevlar canoe. (The bar spread on our old Taurus X was 35.5 inches.)

Now that we have a standard-sized hitch receiver (undersized on the old vehicle), we do have more options for rear-mount bike (and even ski) carrier solutions... and, I have access to a trailer for the canoes... so, maybe I don't bother with roof-racking anything at all... However, that means a significantly larger cost for all-new components...

So, what is the shortest roof rack bar spread (front-to-back) upon which you have carried one or two canoes? Any problems or worries involved? Of course, we're talking freeway speeds, long distances, rough roads, etc...

I had an 18.5 ft Northwoods on a 2011 or 2012 Subaru Outback. I can't remember exactly what the spread was, but it was really short. I was nervous about hauling the boat, but it worked fine. I wouldn't worry about it.

Enjoy the Highlander! We bought one this year as well. It's a nice car! I just wish they had elevated roof rails. What's the point of rails that you can't tie to? Oh well.

If you want a long spread then spring creek now has a bar that attaches to a trailer hitch and looks stable with two stabilizing straps.

As long as you secure it properly you'll be fine; two quality cam straps over the boat and bow and stern lines with trucker hitches. Be sure the straps are right up against the canoe. That really helps prevent yawing.

I would look into a trailer hitch adapter style canoe support. It fits into the hitch then rises up and makes an adjustable in height tee. This can be made very easily with a welder and some steel.