I can't see how it won't work, unless you're getting the tandem Outback, then 24" wide will probably be cutting it too close for the extra boat length..
I've got the same bent-to-heck Yakima crossbars from 1985 with low profile towers. Pick the clips to fit your Civic. Your Outback manual will tell you the best position for transporting your yak. Gunwales down looks fine. But gunwale down or use a post with the boat on its side, Yakima has an accessory. Right-side up and you better have the proper cradles or you'll flatten the bottom on the crossbars.
You'll have to find the balance point for the 24" width. Weight is not a problem for the car or the rack. The Yakima Boat Loader works fine. I bought one and have used it to load my Pro Angler 12 gunwale side down. It flexes a little more than expected, but my PA is heavier than an Outback.
I tie the yak tight to the crossbars, but I never crank down on the bow painter. It is more to keep the end from shifting side to side in the wind. Interstate at 80 is no problem with my Tacoma, but do beware those crosswinds. Do look under your Civic bumper and check for adequate tie down spots.
Billamicasr wrote:
New to the forum: I’m considering an Outback.
I recently bought a Honda Civic Coupe. Yakima says their rack will mount on the coupe, but only if the crossbars are just 24” apart. The Honda roof is capable of a 125 pound load; I’ve not bought the rack yet.
I may be able to use the Hully and Mako under the hull, or maybe it would be best to flip the Outback over and rest the top on Yakima Canoe Gunwale Brackets or a padded crossbar. Of course I’ll use both front and rear tie downs in addition to the crossbar tie downs.
I doubt that I’ll add many accessories to the top of the Outback which would get in the way of loading. I would use the Yakima extending Load Assist bar to help get the Outback in position. And to protect against overloading wind forces, and my back; I’ll unload the Kayak when transporting.
Anyone use a Yakima rack with crossbars close together? Am I okay with transporting the Outback top down?