BTW - you may want to consider replacing the electrical tape with duct tape (comes in black as well as gray). In my experience, electrical tape doesn't hold up to weather really well. Just a thought.
[This message has been edited by Jim (edited 12-08-2001).]
I nearly fainted at the price of Yakima but now that I have the system, I must say I am impressed. With the optional wind fairing, there's almost no noise, and the Steelhead bike racks allow you to drive as if there were no bikes on your roof--dangerous when pulling into a covered parking lot! Yakima also has a neat interchangeable locking system, although after my double U-Locked bikes were stolen, I'm not sure any system can stop a truly determined thief.
For skis, I don't think the Yakima system is worth the money, but if you have to haul gear, bikes, Kayaks, etc, it might be worth the splurge. The burly racks and fairing also made my lttle Prism look a lot less whimpy. :-)
Another note, wind noise can be a problem. Maybe its the extra padding thats kicking up resonance but once you get over 50mph it can get noisy, though for some reason when I was carrying the tree home on it there was absolutely no noise. Even if there is there's always my favourite cure to any noise my car makes. Turn the radio up.
What kind of car do you have? Does the Hyland system work only on cars with rain gutters?