Hot Tubs?

[00pumpkin]

My father is looking for a hot tub for his cabin and had asked if I knew anything about them. I've been in many but never owned one. I have heard horror stories about mechanical problems but that's about it.

Who has one or can recommend a brand? Service issues? What to look out for?

Thanks for your help!

[azguy]

I bought a Jacuzzi about 5 years ago, mostly for the warranty and the fact it was a show model from a home show and I got a 30% discount. No complaints at all.

Pouring the slab and having it wired from the electrical panel was about 25/30% of the cost of the hot tub itself

[JasoninDenver]

I have owned several over the years and consider them a necessity due to back issues I have had for years.

Make sure that he will have someone close to the cabin that can check on the tub every so often, especially in the winter months. Even with the best filters and ozonators, periodic addition of chlorine (not bromine, BTW) will be necessary every few days to maintain optimum water quality.

Many people I know in Winter Park, Colorado leave their hot tubs for several weeks at a time with nobody to check them and come up to their mountain homes to find the tub water looks like a swamp. They then have to spend several days to get it clean again and cannot use the tub the whole time they are up there. Consequently, there are many tubs in mountain towns sitting there empty.

I would stick to the bigger names and definitely buy from the local shop so that service calls will not be an issue. Many mountain shops will also check up on the tub periodically for a small monthly fee. Worth it.

The better brands are, in no particular order:

Hot Springs
Sundance
Caldera (also made by Hot Springs)
Jacuzzi
Arctic
Bullfrog

I am on my second Sundance Spa. We had the first one for five years with only a couple of service calls (all under warranty). When that one sold with our last house, we went and bought the exact same model for the new house.

A good tub will run at least $8,000.00. My last one was $12,000.00 and then I spent another $2,000.00 on the concrete pad and electrical work.

I know a few people that have tubs purchased through Costco. Mixed results there and most have HUGE problems getting the units serviced so it is probably not worth the cost savings in the long run.

With a tub you are buying: (1) the features and jet configuration you desire, (2) construction & insulation, (3) quality pumps and controls, and (4) the warranty.

Beware of traveling spa shows, BTW. These are usually poorly constructed and insulated and often have low grade pumps and controls that tend to break or wear out faster.

[ducatidoc]

Great post Jason. Thanks for the info, I have been curious about hot tubs myself.

[00pumpkin]

Thanks Jason, that really helps a lot.

[Brenngun]

I've owned and used Sundance, Jacuzzi & Hot Springs. I've had no issue with any of them. Only piece of advice I'd give you is size them like tents. They always fit less people than the brochure says.

[azguy]

Originally Posted by Brenngun

I've owned and used Sundance, Jacuzzi & Hot Springs. I've had no issue with any of them. Only piece of advice I'd give you is size them like tents. They always fit less people than the brochure says.

Good call, I agree, if 4 people are going to be in a lot you need a 6 person tub.

[Brenngun]

Originally Posted by azguy

Good call, I agree, if 4 people are going to be in a lot you need a 6 person tub.

Yeah I learned that with my first one. Never made that mistake again.

[JasoninDenver]

I have never had more than four people in a tub at any time - and that was only once.

Sadly, my earlier expectations (in my single days, of course) of wild parties with hordes of women newly arrived from the Island of Lost Swedish Stewardesses never materialized.

Instead it is me and my wonderful wife 90% of the time and my two daughters joining every so often.

Seriously, buy the tub for your 90% usage.

[powerfunk]

Originally Posted by Brenngun

Yeah I learned that with my first one. Never made that mistake again.

Ah, it's like limos! Subtract 2 from the number of people they say it fits.