Reading other recent posts, thinking more specifically: does anyone have a 20-22 Outback with carrier system for two canoes?
I'm thinking a roof crossbar up front and hitch post w/crossbar out back would provide enough distance for 17-18' canoes.
Would be glad to see any pictures.

Following - I would also be interested to hear about solutions for this. The stock cross bars at the wider setting are still only about 39 or 40" apart, which even with front and rear tiedowns is, in my opinion, chancy.

And as I understand it, there is an option from Yakima or Thule (or both?) but they plug into the same spots as the stock cross bars. You can get the side-to-side bar width for 2 canoes but not greater distance between the bars.

I use my Outback with the bars in the standard position. Straps and front tie downs (use two separate ropes for front tie downs), never use rear tie downs and have never had a problem.

Installing wider bars will make carrying two canoes possible but if you're covering any distance (and carrying all the gear and passengers for said canoes) that is a lot of load and wind resistance for a vehicle that is adequately powered at best.

We carry two canoes on an outback equipped with Yakima bars. Both are tied down to bars. Bow loops are tied to hood loops using two separate ropes each, and sterns are secured with single ropes attached to hitch loops. Rock solid even with 30+ mph wind gusts along open stretches at freeway speeds.

Should note that each Yakima crossbar is fitted with load stops. Before using these devices, canoes would wiggle a little. Now, not at all.

Considered your idea of the hitch mounted Goal Post device by Yakima or Thule, but many reviews call into question their stability. I believe those items are best paired with a pickup truck's beefy rear bumper. The Outback's plastic bumper seems insufficient for such purpose.

Banksiana: "I use my Outback with the bars in the standard position. Straps and front tie downs (use two separate ropes for front tie downs), never use rear tie downs and have never had a problem.

Installing wider bars will make carrying two canoes possible but if you're covering any distance (and carrying all the gear and passengers for said canoes) that is a lot of load and wind resistance for a vehicle that is adequately powered at best."

Banksiana, as I recall you have a new Savage River Blackwater. I bought mine used, and the only flaw it has is a gunwale repair, where high winds caused it to torque on a rooftop in transit. It's a small crack and the repair is both solid and hardly noticeable. But it has me very concerned about stability during transport.

I've not yet done two canoes on my outback, but the situation could well arise this summer. So far, when transporting a single canoe on the outback, I have used the rear bar in the further-back position, and removed the front bar entirely - instead going with foam pads on the roof, just behind the windshield. That gets a much wider spread and greater stability.

I've also added amsteel tiedowns on the front of the hood.

What I think would be perfect would be the ability to secure an aftermarket roof system to the curved ends of the Gen 6 Outback's stock rails. That gets you an extra ~20" of front-to-back spread. To my knowledge, no such product exists however.

One key point in the use of front tie downs is to use two separate ropes so they pull against each other to keep the canoe in place. I'm always surprised at the number or boats I see with just a single rope looped through the front thwart, or a single rope tied to the front thwart- offers almost no side to side support. If you were concerned about thwart strength you could run loops around the entire bow.

I often carry without front tie downs- but I rarely have far to travel.

Yakima's Crossbar Spread Table says "30 inches or more" for canoes over 14 ft. Teed me off initially that our 2018 Toyota Highlander -- great in every other regard -- made their rack support access points only 27.5" apart, front to back. Using heavy duty foam blocks now, and more than satisfied.

Banksiana: "One key point in the use of front tie downs is to use two separate ropes so they pull against each other to keep the canoe in place."

Agree 100%.

schweady: "Yakima's Crossbar Spread Table says "30 inches or more" for canoes over 14 ft. Teed me off initially that our 2018 Toyota Highlander -- great in every other regard -- made their rack support access points only 27.5" apart, front to back. Using heavy duty foam blocks now, and more than satisfied.
"

Amusingly, our other car is a '21 Highlander Hybrid. Previously owned a '15 and a '19. Actually like the pre-'20 Highlanders better.

Had same reaction about the bars and eventually ditched them. Reminds me, I need to sell those - they are cluttering up the garage and taking space away from canoe stuff. :)

Hi friend,

I have carried 2 canoes many times on both my 1998 Subaru Legacy and 2003 Trailblazer, both have roof racks. I am too cheap to buy the expensive stuff and do really like to rig up solid systems with things at home, so I simply screwed two 2x4s together (to account for the roof rack curve) and ratchet strap those 2x4s to the roof rack. Then the canoes are individually cinch strapped (protects the canoe as opposed to ratchets) to the 2x4s up top and ratchet strap together in front and back to the vehicle, although you could do those individually as well but it saves time together. I have hauled 2 canoes like this from Ely to the Cities and even Mankato area on very windy days and made it without any issues. Feel free to shoot me an email if you would like more info.

Photo taken before securing the bow and stern, but you still can see the canoes' location on top of car. These boats are only 14 1/2 feet, but we also carry 17 footers without a problem. The Yakima system was an expensive proposition, but I have zero regrets. Many years of reliable service.

I have a 2012 Outback with 30 inches of space between the bars so this may or may not be helpful. To get the space for two canoes we just lashed a couple of 2x4s to the factory roof rack. We regularly transport an 18.5 foot MNII with no problems (cam straps over the top and separate front and rear tie downs for each canoe). Here's a pic with only one canoe on (I think a Sundowner -- it's my in laws so not sure).

prettypaddle: "I have a 2012 Outback with 30 inches of space between the bars so this may or may not be helpful. To get the space for two canoes we just lashed a couple of 2x4s to the factory roof rack. We regularly transport an 18.5 foot MNII with no problems (cam straps over the top and separate front and rear tie downs for each canoe). Here's a pic with only one canoe on (I think a Sundowner -- it's my in laws so not sure). "

I was going to suggest doing this exact thing. It has worked for me in the past.

I'm a little slow acknowledging (travel & at a conference) but thanks for all the responses.

To prettypaddle: - couple of questions.

What did you use to lash the 2x4s to the racks?

And, are you carrying with the gunwales directly on the 2x4s or is there something between the gunwales and wood?

Banksiana, did you make your own Amsteel tie-downs?

olwaterhound: "To prettypaddle: - couple of questions.

What did you use to lash the 2x4s to the racks?

And, are you carrying with the gunwales directly on the 2x4s or is there something between the gunwales and wood?"

We just used paracord to lash the 2x4s to the cross bars of the factory rack. You can see the purple and bright green in the pic. Looked for a better picture but didn't find one. The cross bars are a bit bowed so the 2x4s are in front of or behind the crossbars instead of directly on top.

When running the top straps to secure the canoes we took the straps around both the board and factory cross bar in the center (between the two canoes) and just around the 2x4 on the outside (since obviously the cross bars don't extend that far). Drove from Chicago area with no problems.

And, yes, gunnels right on top of the 2x4s. In the pic I posted the canoe is actually sitting on one of the lashings on the right side. Unfortunately couldn't find a picture with the two canoes on top.

How long are the 2 x 4s? Thanks

SevenofNine: "How long are the 2 x 4s? Thanks "

About 60 inches I think. We measured the widest points of both canoes and added added a few inches so we'd have space on the ends to tie off to.

In over 30 trips to the Quetico and BWCA, for 2 canoes I use 2x4's firmly duct taped to the roof carriers, plus a front board cushioned to the roof on foam rubber. This is very securely tied down with ropes to the loops under the car. This does not twist or shake, even when following a semi on the interstate.
Past 12 years on a Hyundai Tucson, but before that it was on an Escort wagon. Sure looked loaded, but travelled well.

SevenofNine: "How long are the 2 x 4s? Thanks "

My 2x4s are about 78 inches. I guess it depends on what kind of canoes you paddle. My aluminum canoes are about 35 inches wide so I doubled that and gave some extra space. In addition, I put a simple eye screw at the ends for insurance just in the extreme case of the canoe sliding or the straps migrating. Has never happened though so not necessary. In addition, I would personally recommend using ratchet straps to fasten the 2x4s to the rack rather than duck tape. Easy to remove, does not leave sticky residue, and will last way longer in case you want them on for a longer period of time. Easy peasy. Good luck!

I have 2 Ted Bell Canoes, a large tandem and a CJ Solo I’d like to carry on my 2021 Outback. I’d like to use 80” Yakima Crossbars that I used on my old truck to carry both at the same time. I can’t find any information on the maximum width crossbars for Outback’s. Any thoughts? Thanks

MN state law allows crossbars to extend only as far as side view mirrors. If the total width of your outback mirror to mirror is shy of the 80 inches of your bars, doubtful an enforcement officer would call you on it--especially if your setup looks stable and you have red flags extending off of the stern of the canoes.

on my 2018 outback, I have 78" Thule probar load bars, purchased a Canoecopia.

ProBars