Do I need to get Yakima ski rack if I get a Yakima cross bar?

[dlinsalata]

Hey all -

I have a '13 Impreza Sport Limited, and I'm leaning towards getting a Yakima Whispbar roof rack. If I want to get a ski rack, do I need to get a Yakima-branded one? (ie the fat cat or powderhound?)

If not, any thoughts on good alternatives?

Thanks!

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[vision.dynamix]

The mounts on the ski racks are pretty universal so you can pretty much use any snow carrier on the market.

The Fatcat is the best on the market, IMO.

[WRX boarder]

I just got the whispar and wb 300 for my 12 hb. I'm pretty underwhelmed with it, for the price I'm regreting it. The whispbar only allows you an extra 35lbs capacity over the factory bars for substantially more money. I also believe the factory bars are lower profile.

The WB 300 is the same as the fat cat only in matching metal to the bars. Neither the fatcat or wb 300 flush mount to the whisbar in the channel. You can either use black 1" blocks with the channel (secure, but ugly), or the universal mounts (easier to steal, appear more aero and slightly lower profile to the blocks). I'm currnetly trying to find new hardware to flush mount the rack to the bars as flush mounting is not an option from yakima.

I'll get some pics posted up when I get my car back so you can see what I'm talking about. If I could do it again I'd go factory bars.

[575rider]

Don't know about the Whispar, but Yakima/Thule and most other rack systems are all compatible/interchangeable. I bet you could look on Yakima's website to find your answer.

[Dave D.]

And don't get a ski rack. Get a cargo box. Much more carrying capacity + clean skis.

[K2e2vin]

The Whispbar's selling point is aerodynamics; it's supposed to be quieter and have less drag than any other bar are the market.

Most of the newer carriers are universal and should fit wider aero crossbars.

[K2e2vin]

Originally Posted by Dave D.

And don't get a ski rack. Get a cargo box. Much more carrying capacity + clean skis.

I concur! Especially with ones with modern design, like the Thule Atlantis, there's less drag too(would compliment the Whispbars nicely)! Only thing is they're pretty pricey.

[jay25RS]

I ended up ordering a Thule 45050 Complete Crossroads Railing Rack. I liked how my Echelon bike tray mounted up to the square crossbars better than some of the other options and that the square crossbars seem to be the more universal design to allow various add ons to fit easily. I was also heavily contemplating the Yakima Whispbar racks but I think the added utility of the square cross bars and having clearance from my roof (to help prevent any clearance issues with my sunroof) along with the ease of mounting (vs the big doofy looking plastic clamps for the bike rack that would go on the OEM crossbars) is the way to go for me.

[K2e2vin]

This is obviously late but why not a hitch-mounted rack? Thule and Yakima have "adapters" that allow you to carry skis with them:

Thule Tram:


Yakima HitchSki:


I'm picking up the HitchSki next week; though I like the Thule design much better, it's also pricer and mainly works with their racks(they have a part that mounts to the upright)

[dlinsalata]

Thanks all! Appreciate the help.

Re: the hitch and box - I have a hatch and live in the city, so that would be more of a pain than a benefit. And re: the box...hmm, I'll have to think about that. I've always preferred the racks and am single (aka don't have too much to put into the box), but it's worth considering!

Re: the whispbar vs. OEM bars - interesting, and that sucks (re: the problems you're running into).

I went and chatted with a rack fitter at REI today and his opinion/answers were:
* Benefit of the non-OEM is that you have more attachment options and the ability to switch it to a different car if/when that happens.
* Also, if you buy through REI, you have lifetime warranty vs. whatever Subaru offers
* And as was said above, at least most Yakima attachments have general purpose adapters that will work on most systems.
* He also recommended the fatcat, but he didn't mention the wb300. But given your experience WRX Boarder, it sounds like that may not work out so well.

[dlinsalata]

Originally Posted by WRX boarder

The WB 300 is the same as the fat cat only in matching metal to the bars. Neither the fatcat or wb 300 flush mount to the whisbar in the channel. You can either use black 1" blocks with the channel (secure, but ugly), or the universal mounts (easier to steal, appear more aero and slightly lower profile to the blocks). I'm currnetly trying to find new hardware to flush mount the rack to the bars as flush mounting is not an option from yakima.

I'll get some pics posted up when I get my car back so you can see what I'm talking about. If I could do it again I'd go factory bars.

Were you mounting to roof rails? Definitely would love to see the pics.

Thanks!