New Spas and Hot Tubs

[usuallylurk]

We're in a dilemma. We have our backyard hot tub -- which needs repairs and it may not be worth repairing (leak, ozonator gone, cover on its last legs, too). It was built by Sequoia Spas in Hesperia, CA.

We have had this hot tub for around 12-13 years and it has served us very well. We want to replace it. Six seater, 220v AC, and it is outside in the winter. We're in coastal Massachusetts, so it does get cold here from time to time but not like it would in Alberta, Alaska, Minnesota, etc.

We do not want a "soft tub" but we do want a permanent structure. This is our second one (the first was heated with a wood fired stove - we're not going back to that).

Has anyone bought one lately? Any brand recommendations?

[natravellers]

Hi Lurk, we just installed our first tub a year ago. It's a Sundance and we couldn't be happier.
Not one problem (knock on wood).
We are in NE PA so our winters are not that far off of yours. We are more than satisfied with the electric bill it runs about $20 a month.
BTW, we have mutual friends in Procrastinator and his wife. We met you and your wife at last year's gathering at Procrastinators wine and cheese party.
We'll see you this year if you're going.

Joe and Barb

[usuallylurk]

Thanks... there's a Sundance dealer not too far from me...

And, yes, we will be at Eastover and wherever we partake of the wine there ...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvyW906123Y&feature=related

[paul1961]

Since you have 220 service to the location and an existing pad, you may wish order online. Costco has a some deals. If you are a DIYer and have some friends to handle an 800 pound tub, it's the cheapest way to go.

A big HOWEVER....

There is no substitute to testing the tubs. On paper/pictures it may look great, but when you get in it may be a different story.

For example, you may love the idea of the longe chair but hate it in reality. You've just wasted two seat spots.

I absolutely recommend a wet test.


We have a three year old Hotspring Grandee.

[usuallylurk]

I'm not a DIY-er when it comes to electricity and 200 gallons of water that I will be immersed in ... I'm going to rely on an electrician to do it correctly if we do purchase a new tub.

[luvnaturism]

We've had our HotSprings spa for 12 years now, and I heartily recommend the brand if it's available in your area. They cost more than some other brands, but they're extremely well built and provide outstanding warranty service. This is important in hot tubs. Spas inherently require more service than swimming pools due to the heated chemicals that are required to keep the water sanitary, so you really want a well built spa and a manufacturer that stands behind the product.

We previously had a spa of a different brand. Based on the advertising it seemed like a good buy. By the time it was five years old it needed some very expensive parts that weren't readily available, due to the fact that the manufacturer had gone out of business. It ended up being easier and more cost effective to just replace it. In hindsight that spa wasn't a good value; it was the most expensive one I could have bought.

[usuallylurk]

Ah, two recommendations for HotSprings! I will add them to the list...

Thanks

[dakref]

We have a Marquis hot tub and use it here in Wi. all winter long. Love it.

[WNY]

Look into Beachcomber Hot Tubs. They are made in Canada so they are built for cold climates. I have had one for 9 yrs. and love it, use it all winter long in the Buffalo NY area.

[usuallylurk]

Thanks for the advice. I received a call yesterday from a hot tub repair guy -- who did not want to come out because it's a Sequoia Spa and there are no parts for it.

There is good news. I stripped away most of the foam around the leak, and learned that it's leaking where two pipes join. More good news -- there is epoxy tape that can wrap around it and likely seal it up. So -- next weekend, the wet/dry vac goes outside and cleans that area out. Then we seal the joint , refill the tub and cross our fingers. If it doesn't leak, we will refoam / seal that panel area and go forward.

If it does, we have more work to do -- perhaps replacing the tub but we will try everything we can before we get to that point.

Thanks again