How do I mount a canoe to factory rack

[orennoah]

I'm looking at replacing my '87 Pathfinder with an X (because the new Pathfinders are bulbous, gas-guzzling cars). My one concern is being able to mount my 16' trekking canoe on the X's factory rack. Unless I can put the front cross-bar significantly forward of the factory position (i.e., it needs to go where the factory basket is), I don't see how I could get a stable mount.

Has anyone tackled this problem? I'd appreciate any ideas.

Thanks.

- Oren

[OffroadX]

I'd say you need some saddles...

Brent

[Xcanuk]

Just so you know, the crossbars can be moved and anchored along the entire length of the rack, including the basket area. I have a 3rd crossbar as well to help spread the load.

[orennoah]

I use gunwhale brackets to carry the canoe inverted. Saddles are mainly for kayaks. However, my problem isn't how to attach the canoe to the rack, it's how the rack will hold the load.

I fear that attaching a 16' canoe to the crossbars, if they need to be left at the factory distance from each other will result in the weight being carried too far back. Both crossbars would be holding the back half of the canoe. Right now, on my Pathfinder the Yakima cross bars are set at 40" apart and the front one is at the center thwart. The Xterra cross bars seem to be much closer than 40". (I acknowledge that I should have taken my tape measure down to the local Nissan dealer when I test drove. I guess you can't think of everything.)

Thanks.

- Oren

[orennoah]

Thanks XCannuk

Do you have to remove the front basket to attach the crossbar in that area?

- Oren

[Xcanuk]

short answer.. yes, its only 4 bolts anyway. If you get an X with a sunroof, you might find yourself removing the basket anyway for sunlight.
long answer, you can leave the basket in place, and with a little skillful cutting, you can install a crossbar with it there. Some owners managed to install offroad lights on a crossbar with the basket in place... a quick search here should result in some pics.

[rhombus]

Below are two pics of canoe's on the X (neither mine, I'm a kayaker).
I do not think that you will have ay trouble.

[orennoah]

Those pictures ease my mind considerably. I've just gotten an offer of $500 UNDER invoice for a 2002 Gold Rush / Sage SE - 5 speed (w/o Super Charger), so I'm REAL close to owning an X.

This forum was a BIG HELP.

- Oren

[fabienX]

The second pic is mine. I will say that the Canoe was just wide enough so that it wouldn't quite fit between the two bars. This would cause it to shit right or left. I didn't care too much because I only had to drive about 30 minutes on country and dirt roads with it but if I had to take it on the highway, I would first secure a couple of 2*2 on the roof rack (perpendicular to the rails) and then secure the canoe to the 2*2.