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24kGold
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I have a 2011 Outback and only strap it across at both of the bars. I never have strapped the bow or stern. I use dense foam blocks between the edge of the canoe and the cross bars and pull the straps down tight. the dense foam blocks act as heavy duty springs against the straps and help hold the canoe firm. And even at 80 miles an hour the canoe rarely wiggles. I had a seasoned canoe outfitter tell me once that if strapped tightly in two places across the middle, you didn't need the other two straps. Been doing that with both of my Outbacks since 2003. Plus, you don't have to worry about rubbing your paint job.
But rather than use pipe insulation on your cross bars, try the foam noodles used in swimming pools. The foam doesn't compress as much and will last longer. When I used foam pipe insulation, the edge of the canoe would cut a hole in it down to the pipe when I cinched the straps down. I used to use foam noodles before getting the dense foam canoe blocks from Cabelas. In my opinion, the foam blocks are the best way to go. My set has lasted for the last 8 years.
Just my two cents worth.
Terry
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OldFingers57
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quote 24kGold: "I have a 2011 Outback and only strap it across at both of the bars. I never have strapped the bow or stern. I use dense foam blocks between the edge of the canoe and the cross bars and pull the straps down tight. the dense foam blocks act as heavy duty springs against the straps and help hold the canoe firm. And even at 80 miles an hour the canoe rarely wiggles. I had a seasoned canoe outfitter tell me once that if strapped tightly in two places across the middle, you didn't need the other two straps. Been doing that with both of my Outbacks since 2003. Plus, you don't have to worry about rubbing your paint job.
But rather than use pipe insulation on your cross bars, try the foam noodles used in swimming pools. The foam doesn't compress as much and will last longer. When I used foam pipe insulation, the edge of the canoe would cut a hole in it down to the pipe when I cinched the straps down. I used to use foam noodles before getting the dense foam canoe blocks from Cabelas. In my opinion, the foam blocks are the best way to go. My set has lasted for the last 8 years.
Just my two cents worth.
Terry"
I use the dense foam blocks on the roof rack cross bars on my Subaru. I used them on my Ford Explorer when I had that. I prefer to tie the front down for added stability to prevent wiggling and to also prevent it from bending upward.
I have used my foam blocks for 10 yrs now and they are still going strong. However I am looking at the Thule Portage pads that clamp on the the crossbars.
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OldFingers57
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Well I think I'm going to try the pipe insulation on the straps and see how that works and also take along some electrical tape too.
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AndySG
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Hey Art....I use These on my Forester. Many miles and no paint damage. Plus, when done hauling just open the hood and out they come.
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PineKnot
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quote OldFingers57: "quote PineKnot: "I've got a 2016 Outback as well and have taken it on three trips...."
I would think going clear down and hooking on the frame on the front that your rope or strap would be in contact with a lot of painted area on the bumper and could cause a lot of rubbing on it and the grill area. Also I have looked at the Thule portage pads for the rack and the ones I looked at would not clamp on tight enough without modify them and putting a spacer on the knobbed bolts.
"
The only contact I've seen is above the license plate where the rope comes over the grill to the bow...a simple piece of cloth negates any contact with the paint. The brackets on the Outback factory racks have stayed in place remarkably well, even in some substantial crosswinds....I can only relate my experience driving over 4500 miles using this setup....I do know the bottom part of the brackets can be flipped up or down, depending on the thickness of the your factory Outback rack...they only work one way with my 2016 Outback....
Thule Gunwale Bracket|404_6158|8711320001|4208fa8f-cd6c-4a7e-90bb-7cf3884ff72d|aud-87986356584:pla-70905457000&lsft=cm_mmc:PLA_Google_LIA|404_6158|8711320001|4208fa8f-cd6c-4a7e-90bb-7cf3884ff72d|aud-87986356584:pla-70905457000&gclid=CjwKEAjwlZa9BRCw7cS66eTxlCkSJAC-ddmwkN3DxBwq1JSiU_tQFbaYvrXrdIXSEmrghi4ID9c6thoCqa7w_wcB
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muddyfeet
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..or simply stick a piece of masking tape right to the car where it rubs. Should come off easily with/without solvent without ruining the paint.
I think somewhere I've seen clear vinyl stickers made for that purpose.
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OldFingers57
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quote PineKnot: "I've got a 2016 Outback as well and have taken it on three trips, total travel distance (mostly interstate) 4500+ miles. I purchased the Thule Canoe Portage Carrier which clamp nicely onto the factory roof racks. I move the rear factory rack to the farthest position towards the back. The carrier also comes with two straps for the roof racks as well as a bow and stern straps/hooks. The bow hook goes into a hole in a metal frame piece under the front bumper about 8 inches behind the license plate. I also got the Thule 530 Quick Loop straps that go under the hood (they end up being a few inches from the front of the wheel wells). I noticed after the first trip, these loop straps did rub on the hood (but not enough to scuff the clearcoat), so I now use small pieces of cloth and wedged in to keep the straps off the paint. They haven't moved even at interstate speeds. On the stern, I just put the hook under the lift gate and snug it tight. Don't have a pic, but will get one on my upcoming Q trip in September. I retired this past June and am really enjoying it!!!
"
I would think going clear down and hooking on the frame on the front that your rope or strap would be in contact with a lot of painted area on the bumper and could cause a lot of rubbing on it and the grill area. Also I have looked at the Thule portage pads for the rack and the ones I looked at would not clamp on tight enough without modify them and putting a spacer on the knobbed bolts.
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butthead
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The under hood fender bolt mounted straps have worked well foe me a long time. I you are concerned about the paint rubbing, I'd suggest cutting up a plastic milk bottle, say 2 5x5 inch square pieces. Fold in half to form a crease. place over edge of the hood for the strap to slide on.
butthead
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deerfoot
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quote quark2222: "Maybe put a piece of 1/2" foam pipe insulation on the edge of the hood to get the strap a little further towards the outside edges of the hood. Or, cut a 6" piece of the pipe insulation and put it on the strap itself. You could wrap some electrical or duct tape around the top and bottom of the insulation so that it doesn't blow off. I think that you would find that pipe foam insulation won't leave marks as it is made of polypropylene or polyethylene and it is much softer than a nylon strap. Maybe even give the foam a quick blast of silicone spray to make sure it will slide a bit where it contacts the hood.
Tomster"
+1 - I have used foam pipe insulation for years to protect painted parts of my vehicles. Works very well, give it a try.
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AmarilloJim
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Adam for the rear tie downs I used the straps with a piece of tubing thru a loop in the strap as they are not permanently attached. Just held in by the lift gate. "
How secure is that?
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OldFingers57
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I got a new 2016 Subaru Outback this summer. I took my canoe for a trip the other weekend and noticed where I had attached the bow tie downline tie down straps rubbed on the hood due to the angle of the hood. Do any of you have a 2016 Subaru Outback and if you use the straps that attach under the hood like these where did you attach them? I'm thinking I may have to have them come out of the front part of the hood by the grill as the hood is shaped different there . Another option is to go out the back part of the hood by the wipers however the angle is not good there for the strap/rope up to the canoe. 
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AmarilloJim
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I have a 2013 and use underhood tie down straps without issue.
Have they changed the body?
There will be a little movement but nylon shouldn't cause any damage.
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OldFingers57
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The hood on the sides stands up or is angled up more from the hood/fender seam. So when I have the underhood strap bolted down it rubs on the side of the hood quite a bit leaving a large black mark from the strap after just a short car trip of a 1/2 an hour. Can't imagine what it would do on a longer trip up to the BWCA or Quetico. 
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redoleary
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I have a 2016 Outback and there are two holes in the frame (one on each side) about 2' back from the front bumper, the straps definitely touch a lot of the bumper area because of all the wrap around but I don't have the hood straps so I had to "run what I brung".
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DeerIsland
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Did you come up with a solution that works? I have a 2014 Outback and have not had any paint damage from hauling my canoe yet.
In the back, I prefer to install the tow anchor in the rear bumper and tie off to it from the rear of the canoe using a single tie down strap. I find that I can get a nice tight tie down with this method without damaging the rear hatch and there is no contact with the car.
In the front, I use 2 hood straps like you are doing but I try and push the canoe forward as much as practical so that the tie downs are vertical with minimal hood contact. You can't eliminate it all together so I put down a few layers of blue painters tape where the tie down straps contact the hood. This has worked well for me so far, the blue painters tape removes easily with no paint damage.
Does anyone have a better method?
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Marten
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My 2014 Outback is built to accept a tow hook in front and back. The tow hook is with the jack. You pop out a small plastic piece on the bumpers to access the hole the tow hook screws into. They are off center but may be helpful. If you have the tow package you use the hitch instead because it is centered, also there is no hole available when you have the tow package.
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PineKnot
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I've got a 2016 Outback as well and have taken it on three trips, total travel distance (mostly interstate) 4500+ miles. I purchased the Thule Canoe Portage Carrier which clamp nicely onto the factory roof racks. I move the rear factory rack to the farthest position towards the back. The carrier also comes with two straps for the roof racks as well as a bow and stern straps/hooks. The bow hook goes into a hole in a metal frame piece under the front bumper about 8 inches behind the license plate. I also got the Thule 530 Quick Loop straps that go under the hood (they end up being a few inches from the front of the wheel wells). I noticed after the first trip, these loop straps did rub on the hood (but not enough to scuff the clearcoat), so I now use small pieces of cloth and wedged in to keep the straps off the paint. They haven't moved even at interstate speeds. On the stern, I just put the hook under the lift gate and snug it tight. Don't have a pic, but will get one on my upcoming Q trip in September. I retired this past June and am really enjoying it!!!
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TrekScouter
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I place electrical tape on the spot where the strap contacts the hood. The strap rubs on the tape, instead of the paint. When the trip is over, I remove the tape, which doesn't harm the paint.
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Sierra1
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I have a 2015 Forester and use the fender straps. I put a piece of 1" sticky backed foam tape on the straps and haven't had any issues. A friend of mine got a couple of small pieces of the 3m vinyl wrap they use on the front edges of the car hood for rock protection. A small piece where the strap exits the fender and he's got good resistance to strap abrasion.
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OldFingers57
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quote AdamXChicago: "Dang! Had to do a double-take, Doug. Just picked up the identical Outback layup last month. My wife noticed your picture up on my screen and yelled "you've got that canoe on top of the new car already?" Had a good laugh!!!
But on a serious note, I would also be interested in the solution to this issue. No hooks under the front bumper, so that option is out.
AdamX"
Adam for the rear tie downs I used the straps with a piece of tubing thru a loop in the strap as they are not permanently attached. Just held in by the lift gate.
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quark2222
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Maybe put a piece of 1/2" foam pipe insulation on the edge of the hood to get the strap a little further towards the outside edges of the hood. Or, cut a 6" piece of the pipe insulation and put it on the strap itself. You could wrap some electrical or duct tape around the top and bottom of the insulation so that it doesn't blow off. I think that you would find that pipe foam insulation won't leave marks as it is made of polypropylene or polyethylene and it is much softer than a nylon strap. Maybe even give the foam a quick blast of silicone spray to make sure it will slide a bit where it contacts the hood.
Tomster
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AdamXChicago
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Dang! Had to do a double-take, Doug. Just picked up the identical Outback layup last month. My wife noticed your picture up on my screen and yelled "you've got that canoe on top of the new car already?" Had a good laugh!!!
But on a serious note, I would also be interested in the solution to this issue. No hooks under the front bumper, so that option is out.
AdamX
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Frenchy19
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I like the idea of the foam pipe insulation, and maybe lining the exterior with some thick felt?
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quark2222
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Or, if you really wanted to tick someone off, glue some sandpaper to the foam exterior where it rubs on the hood ridge . . .
Tomster
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OldFingers57
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quote AmarilloJim: "
Adam for the rear tie downs I used the straps with a piece of tubing thru a loop in the strap as they are not permanently attached. Just held in by the lift gate. "
How secure is that?"
Actually that is the way the straps can be used; held in by compression or by bolting them in place. I found them very secure.
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bwcasolo
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quote OldFingers57: "I got a new 2016 Subaru Outback this summer. I took my canoe for a trip the other weekend and noticed where I had attached the bow tie downline tie down straps rubbed on the hood due to the angle of the hood. Do any of you have a 2016 Subaru Outback and if you use the straps that attach under the hood like these where did you attach them? I'm thinking I may have to have them come out of the front part of the hood by the grill as the hood is shaped different there . Another option is to go out the back part of the hood by the wipers however the angle is not good there for the strap/rope up to the canoe. "
been using them for years, love em!
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OldFingers57
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Well I guess I will try the pipe insulation and see how it works before I move my straps under the hood. I worry that even the pipe insulation will be rubbing on the paint though on long trips. I had thought about having my wife sew some natural chamois into a sleeve and slipping it over the strap as that would be really soft on the paint.
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