Only works with the old style square cross bars
This canoe carrier looks fantastic, it is a shame that I will never be able to use it. Amazon fails to inform you that this carrier only works with Thules older style square load bars, it will not work with the newer Aero load bars. I bought this carrier along with an Aero rack, so I am stuck. On the plus side the Areo racks have a black rubber strip on top that will hold my canoe from sliding sideways, just not nearly as well as the canoe carrier would have. I wish they made a version of this canoe carrier for the Aero system. Another note, they do include a set of two tie down ropes with a self locking cinch. However, in my book you need FOUR tie down ropes since the ropes need to be tied to the hold down points underneath the corners of the car(on imports this is where the car was tied down to the deck of the ship). Using only two tiedown ropes results in the canoe being pulled to one side of the car or being pulled diagonally by the ropes. With four ropes to the corners, the canoe will stay centered on long trips and the wind can't pull it off. The Aero rack also looks like a better rack than the old square style and may reduce noise at high speeds that the old square racks sometimes created.

Don't Order the Extra Tie Downs!
This product arrived swiftly and efficiently as per other Amazon transactions and looks like it will work out fine once the weather warms up. An annoying detail NOT MENTIONED in the description, however, is that the product INCLUDES the bow/stern tie-downs (Thule 855 Thule 855 Quick Draw Boat Bow/Stern Tie Down Rachets) that are recommended with this rack. DO NOT buy the bow/stern tie-downs as an extra item (like I did) or else you will end up with two sets of them and may end up missing the 30-day return deadline and getting stuck with them (also like I did). Other than that, the rack has typical Thule construction and will perform it's duty well once installed and the rivers thaw out.

Securely holds your canoe and much more
I bought the 579XT to carry my 17" Grumman Aluminum canoe. These do exactly what they are supposed to do. The padded mounts are easily adjusted on the bars to fit your canoe snugly. The included load straps and bow and stern lines are of good quality nylon with equally excellent ratchets and covered buckles.

Best thing is that these carriers are versatile... they helped me carry plywood, tables and a mattress on top of my car. Thule makes a great system and the Canoe Roof Carrier is one great part of that system.

Sturdy, high quality
I bought this to transport a canoe 200 miles on the windiest day of the year. It connected to my roof rack and provided a sturdy transport. It is worth the piece of mind to buy Thule. I was able to handle the whole operation myself.