I stole most of this from others I had seen do the same, but thought I'd post what I ended up with. I did not want to buy an expensive rack right now as I am still shopping for a new vehicle. I had everything lying around, except for the U bolts. I added some upgrades with some stops and padding and paint.

Looks good, especially with that Northstar beauty on top.

Very nice.

Looks pretty slick. Have you done any test trips with a canoe or two on it? Pros? Cons? What are your thoughts?

No test as of yet, however with those small blocks screwed in against the gunwales my guess is it will be very solid, I was going to make the blocks adjustable, but i got lazy and just decided to screw them to the 2x4, i have everything marked so i know just where to place the canoe each time so it should be tight against the blocks all the time. If i get more time i may try to make them adjustable so i could carry my tandem up there and be able to adjust without a screw gun and use thumb screws like the u-bolts..I have a trip next week so can report back after.

campnfish: If i get more time i may try to make them adjustable so i could carry my tandem up there and be able to adjust without a screw gun and use thumb screws like the u-bolts..I have a trip next week so can report back after. "

Or you could go old school and attach some carpet on the 2x4s--it provides protection for the gunnels and a low-slip environment. I've put thousands and thousands of miles on Quik-n-Easy's and carpeted 2x4s. You can throw anything up there and it's surprisingly secure.

Nice. Nothing' wrong with that.

Pretty darn slick for improvisation. I assume you have a flat washer then a lock washer under each wingnut.

awbrown: "Looks good, especially with that Northstar beauty on top."

Yes, peach of a boat!

mjmkjun: "Pretty darn slick for improvisation. I assume you have a flat washer then a lock washer under each wingnut.
"

No lock washer, holds tight now but i may throw one on.

Lock washers are probably a good idea to combat road vibration.

SO pardon this stupid question....and this might be a really stupid one... but do you strap it down or are the 2x4 block somehow wedged against the gunnel to “lock” it?