We used to have a Norfolk Lake and I remember seeing the 'pinholes' shown in your photo on lots of the seams. I was never too concerned about them since they didn't leak even during torrential downpours! We occasionally got a little water ingress at some of the window seams but nowhere near enough to worry about. As you've now reported the possible fault to Go Outdoors, I would see how well the tent performs on your next trip and decide then if it's worth returning for testing!
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From looking at the photo, it looks to me like the stitching is bad. I think there should be two rows of stitching and one row has run off the edge of the seam and this is the holes you can see.
My Vermont L has this in a few places and needs seam sealer to prevent it leaking. I reluctantly accepted this crap quality on the "cheap" Vermont but I will be seriously miffed if I find this on my NL!
Val - there were no instructions given in 2008, nor sealant... There is no instructions concerning the weathering of the polycotton either... Yeomanns advised me to weather it, or warned me it may leak on first use... but there was nothing from Outwell.. Doubt that has changed in 2010 as they aren;t the most user friendly company in the UK... They leave it to the suppliers...
No, nothing about sealing or weathering in the 2010 kit either, not advise on weathering (although most people suggest you should).
I'm not too worried about the wicking seams - I imagine that will settle down with weathering, and if it doesn't, I can always seal them.
I think I'm more worried about the bad stitching. I think I'm leaning towards returning it - if it goes away for more than 2 weeks for assessment it will spoil my spring bank holiday weekend (we'll have to use an old four man tent I still have, the family will not be impressed), but at least it can be sorted for our main June holiday.
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I think I'd forward those pics of the stitching holes to the supplier, that surely is proof enough (without the need to send it back to Outwell for testing)?
We have a few Lakes of different shapes and sizes and all of them have pin holes along the stitching lines in places just like your picture and we have never had any problems, ....am I tempting fate here !!!
If you are tempted to take it back though I would say that seeing as you have a picture of the seam and going by past experience with Go Outdoors, I would be surprised if they keep you waiting for 2 weeks if you explain that you have a trip booked and paid for.
If it was me I would give it another go and see how you get on as it doesnt look that unusual to me from the picture.
------------- Dont dream your life, live your dream, or just go down the pub !!
I'm heartened that all three posters who have had an Outwell Lake have noticed similar pin holes / seams, and none of you report any problems with that.
As long as the pinholed seams stays watertight, and the two wicking seams seal up with weathering, I'll be a very happy camper with a very wonderful tent.
If not, I've got a 12 month warranty against manufacturing faults, so it can go back.
Thanks again for all your thoughts - this site rocks!
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I have an arrow lake and have the pin holes along the seams. They look like the sewing went wrong and were unpicked. They have not leaked, but I put a bit of seam seal on the inside anyway. Also, we tried to weather it with an hose pipe, but it can't compete with torrential rain we first put it up in and we had a few drips from the roof, but since that first night, no leaks and its certainly seen some rain!
I went to an outdoor tent display today and checked out three of the polycotton Outwell tents; I was surprised to note all three had these apparently stretched stitching holes along the roof seams.
Ah, not much point in taking mine back then! It seems to be fairly endemic. I suppose that as long as they keep working (i.e. keeping the water out), it's not too much of a problem.
I'll let you all know how I get on next time it rains on me (hopefully not for a long time during this extra warm and dry summer we're all expecting).
i had a ripped skirt on the monty awning at the weekend
went to go outdoors today and saw the sign that said if over 28 days since purchase, then any problems had to be verified by their people which could take up to 6 weeks
I said i was going away next week, so how long would it take, and he said a few days max
Showed him the skirt and he said 'hold on i might be able to just give you another to take away now if you'd prefer?' so he went off and checked and i walked off with one there and then
depends on the shop assistants as well i think..
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Thanks Val. To be fair to Go Outdoors, they've been nothing but helpful so far - including replacing my first Bear Lake in a few days (once they'd put it up to check that there was indeed a fault in the weave).
My only concern was to make sure I didn't go in there shouting about my rights if there was nothing really wrong with the product.
The anecdotal evidence from this thread suggests that the holes I photographed are pretty common, and shouldn't be a problem. Fingers crossed.
Love the awning by the way. I think I'll let the credit card cool down for 12 months before investing though!
Oooo now you've got me wanting to check every seam on mine for pinholes, we haven't had any leaking but will have a look on next use for curiousity anyways as it would be handy to know if the pinholes are there but don't leak etc
Everytime I go window shopping at Yeomanns shows, Go Outdoors etc... I never find a nicer tent than the BL... May be tempted by a trailer tent, but that's a different kettle of fish... I've not met a BL owner yet who isn't tent proud!
Well, the Bear Lake was out again this weekend, this time at Abbey Farm, Ormskirk (recommended by the way, my four year old had the very best of times).
The seam pinholes were still there of course, and the more I looked, the more I could find! However, despite nearly 24 hours of rain on Saturday, including quite heavy spells, we didn't get a single leak or damp patch - the Bear Lake felt as strong as a concrete bunker come strong winds, rain, or both at the same time.
Our experience has been the same as andyfisher reported above: we thought the Bear Lake was weathered, but nothing could have competed with the foul weather we experienced on our first proper trip in it in early May. So we had a few drips and leaks, started worrying about the quality of the seams and general finishing, but now seem to have an absolute joy of a tent.
Thanks for all the feedback guys, it's been incredibly useful. And you're all right - the Bear Lake absolutely rocks!
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Bear Lake 6 - normal or faulty?
