Mick:
> I know this has been discussed before, but I've lost all the info I saved in
> a hard drive crash (I know, back up)... I have a syncro westy and two
> kayaks... one twelve footer and one fourteen.  So I need gutter mount
> uprights with extensions, right?  78" or 96" refers to what?
Yep.
Numbers refer to the width of the transverse bars.
> And which is better Yakima or Thule?
Both are good quality.
Yakima is American; Thule is Swedish/Scandinavian.
>  Which is cheaper?  Should I be asking Steve
> Lashley?
Sure he's a Listee isn't he.
> Also, somebody was talking awhile back about mounting the racks directly
> (permanently) into the fiberglass of the westy top.
> Good idea, bad idea?
Now way ...not for me, anyway.
> Rains alot here, so I'm skeptical, but would like to keep from scratching,
> damaging my gutters.
I've used Yakima's High Tower rain gutter mounts with the 96" bars for five
years, as long as you use a protective rubber (provided) they don't hurt the
finish. For four years I carried a heavy (85#) Old Town canoe. Switched to
kayaks last year...they're a breeze to carry and tie down.
> Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.  I don't mind spending a
> little more to get something that will be more serviceable for a longer
> period of time, but need to keep it within reason.
My system with gunwale brackets (now not needed) was less than $300 and has
proven invaluable for all sorts of carrying jobs...money well spent.

--
stephen
reluctant header upper of the
Central Ohio Westies (name this club contest in progress)