I have a '03 SE Wagon with the roof rack and would like to carry two kayaks on the roof. I see that Subaru has a kit for two kayaks for around $100. Anyone use it? Any recommendation for another manufacturer that would be better, using the OEM roof rack and bars?

I wouldn't recommend using the OEM bars; because they're curved and attach at the ends, their effective length is short and over the top of the roof. The after-market bars extend outboard of the rails and are flat, so you can mount things closer to the ends of the bars. Look at Yakima or Thule.

The dealer told me the OEM rack accessories are actually Yakimas.

Has anyone actually used the OEM Kayak mounts? I have 2 small (9') Kayaks that I would like to transport back and forth to the shore (It's a Jersey thing, the beach for the rest of yuze guys) and there are some local small rivers & creeks that apparently are nearby so I won't be spending hours on the interstate with them, and the trip to the shore is on smaller roads so you can't usually go over 60mph, 50 is usually the speed limit. What is the issue with them, not strong enough?

I bought a Yakima rack & 'kayak stackers' for my wagon to haul my whitewater kayaks. Subaru OEM rack is basicly the same thing. I never had any trouble with them except that the bars do not extend out as far so there is not enough room for all the boats & it was a pain to tie teh boats down. yakima & thule are the two major roof rack manufacturers & they are both really just the same. I went with the cheapest setup - yakima.

Has anyone actually used the OEM Kayak mounts? I have 2 small (9') Kayaks that I would like to transport back and forth to the shore (It's a Jersey thing, the beach for the rest of yuze guys) and there are some local small rivers & creeks that apparently are nearby so I won't be spending hours on the interstate with them, and the trip to the shore is on smaller roads so you can't usually go over 60mph, 50 is usually the speed limit. What is the issue with them, not strong enough?

 

If you decide on the OEM rack (which is made by Yakima), I have a set I'll sell you for $50 shipped. How's that?

Get a Thule rack made for that year & model and you"ll have the best and safest.