Kodiak Canvas

[Jarrod Renaud]

Hey guys!

I've been in need of upgrading our family tent and I've seen a handful of recommendations on the Kodiak here and on other sites. Me, my wife and four kids under 8 years old... so have been eying a 10x14. This past weekend almost dropped the $650 on a deluxe but then found one locally for $350 that was bought from Cabelas last year, it was used for multiple week long trips last summer but looked to be in great shape. Figured heck, I'll go for it.

I set her up in the back yard and really noticed one thing to deal with. There are pine sap spots on the roof, looks like I can do a water/alcohol mix to get rid of those. No big deal. But I went a head and turned the hose on to spray it all down and look for leaks.

There are a couple small (3"x3") spots on the sides and top that were lighter in color after wet and I could feel water soaking through, but then there was on large area... probably 16"x24" that was the same, no doubt in a rain it would leak big time. My guess is the guy tried to wash out the pine sap spots and ruined the waterproofing.

Kodiak recommends Kiwi spray but I wanted to see if anyone had some first hand experience. Any recommendations? Should I use a brush on silicone rather than aresol? Im not too worried of having one small-ish area not breathable. I'd rather have it totally waterproof

Another question, would you recommend rigging up a rain fly in constant rain?

Oh, and one more... anyone sew in a stove jack through one of the side walls?

Thanks!

 

[twall13]

No experience adding a waterproofing spray or silicone to the tent but I will say mine has never leaked at all. I've had it in some pretty nasty multi day downpours where we spent a lot of time playing cards in the tent and it never once leaked. The colors do change a bit when wet but it's never come through the fabric for me. Without seeing yours I can't say if that's what's happening or if you really do have some problem areas, which sounds like a real possibility considering the stains, etc. If it does indeed leak you might try contacting Kodiak about it. I know you aren't the original purchaser so I don't know what they'd do for you but at the very least I would think they could recommend a proper course of action.

If you can solve the issues you are having I don't think a tarp would be necessary unless you are looking to add some additional shade. As I mentioned, mine has never leaked. Take care of them and they are fantastic tents that should last a really long time.

I'm interested in what others have to say about a stove jack as well. I've thought about installing one but to be honest, with my wife and 4 kids there isn't much room left for a stove, even in a 10x14. It would still be nice on certain hunts/camps where not all the family comes along. Good luck.

 

[go4thegusto]

I put stove jacks in two of them. On one I used the bolt-in silicone ring style and the other I glued on a fabric style. I pout the stove just inside the door to the left. Works great but does eliminate one sleeper I suspect. We usually just run two guys. On a Dec. cow elk hunt we used a NuWay propane vented stove with a 10' hose out the zipper to a 20 lb tank. Going to do that more while car camping and not wanting to mess with wood or no wood easily available.

I went out the side up high. You do get some wind flap so had to pin pipe at stove collar so it would not pop off. Straight out roof is probably a better option. I was trying to avoid leaks but maybe not a concern with a tight pipe kit or nerf ball plug when using without a stove.

 

[Hunt'nFish]

Canvak canvas water treatment.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Canvak/744767.uts

 

[Hunt'nFish]

Two guys in my predator hunting group have Kodiak Springbows and while the subject of stove jacks has been debated, both have elected to just use Mr Heater propane. But have them hooked up to 5 gal tanks via hose. They just weren't willing to cut holes in thier tents and give up valuable space.
Hunt'nFish

 

[Where's Bruce?]

Can't help ya. My 8yr old Kodiak tent has never leaked.

 

[Jarrod Renaud]

Two guys in my predator hunting group have Kodiak Springbows and while the subject of stove jacks has been debated, both have elected to just use Mr Heater propane. But have them hooked up to 5 gal tanks via hose. They just weren't willing to cut holes in thier tents and give up valuable space.
Hunt'nFish

Yeah, from looking into it more, thats the route Im thinking.

 

[Jarrod Renaud]

Can't help ya. My 8yr old Kodiak tent has never leaked.

Nice, good to hear. Looks like the guy used soap and water and scrubbed that section of the ceiling to get out some pine sap. I sprayed it with a few light coats of Kiwi waterproofing and it worked like a charm.