Advice for hot tub/spa purchase

dragon1952 · June 2007

I'll be looking for a hot tub soon for our new house. If anyone has any knowledge in this area I'd be happy to hear from you. I just need a small, therapeutic one. I've been looking at the Haven Freeport Eclipse model.
http://www.spaspecialist.com/freeport.html
I know there is some real crap out there so any advice is appreciated.

Ern Dog · June 2007

I've had a Marquis Spa for 6 years and it has been very solid. I would recommend not buying anything cheap. You don't want to skimp because you will be paying later for repair bills, so get something good from the start. Here is their link: http://www.marquisspas.com/
Also, I've never heard of the company you mentioned, so I can't comment on it other than you picked out a very comfortable looking one.

dragon1952 · June 2007

Yeah, that's my main goal. I don't want a piece of crap. If you read what this guy at Haven says, his are among the best. Evidently his other lines were more expensive than the competiton so he came out with the Eclipse line to compete more directly with the other major companies, but with supposedly better build and parts. I'll check out the Marquis, thanks.

daboyz · June 2007

I had a Caldera and it was most excellent.:) I also have heard good things about Hot Springs. If you have any dealers around you, check them out.

Dave

dragon1952 · July 2007

Evidently this Haven spa specialist isn't very highly thought of. In fact some say he's a scammer. It took me forever to finally hit on a search that turned this up.
I do have a Caldera and Marquis retailer in town (the only 2) and have researched both brands extensively. They are both very highly thought of overall (there's always some guy that isn't happy). So thanks for the suggestions. I've already visited the Marquis showroom (they look extremely well made) and am going to check out the Caldera tomorrow :cool:

daboyz · July 2007

Enjoy when you get one!! I miss mine.

Ern Dog · July 2007

Another suggestion is to get the ionizer upgrade (I forget what they called it), but it cost extra and it has helped with keeping the water clean. This way I don't have to rely so heavily on the chemicals. I still need to use chemicals, but not as much. Best of luck getting the right one for you.

Hot tubs are Sweeeeet- especially in the winter time. I drain mine for the summer months.

daboyz · July 2007

It's an ozonator and yes it's very nice to have.

dragon1952 · July 2007

Yeah, definitely going to get the ozone. They do make ionizers too though that use copper and silver (and sometimes zinc) for purification.

bikezappa · July 2007

Dragon1952

I have had a hot tube for over 10 years. I suggest you locate it out doors in as private an area as possible. I use my hot tube twice a day. First in the morning with coffee and after work with a beer. The really best times are in a large snow storm. Being out in the snowy windy cold weather nice and warm is a blast.

I have gone through 2 tubs and suggest that the simplest is the best. I never use the bubbling jets because they make to much noise for me. Quiet is best. A complicated jet system can also break. I have used a Sweetwater Bali for the past 7 years. It's round and has a 2 speed motor. The covers on all seem to suck and start to break at the seams in 2 years.

I have found a very simple chemical system for the tube that requires no chlorine or bromine which both have a distintive smell. You add a small amount of this chemical every two weeks and the tube is very clean. I'll look up the manufacturer if you like. I also suggest an ozone system.

Simple is best.

pearsall001 · July 2007

I don't own one personally but my buddie has one. He's a big research guy & it took him a while before he settled on a manufacture. He was very impressed with Sundance & he is extremely pleased with it. I've been in it a few times but I really don't know enough about it except to say that I felt like a stick of melted butter. My wife & I loved it.

Holydoc · July 2007

Ern Dog wrote: »

I've had a Marquis Spa for 6 years and it has been very solid. I would recommend not buying anything cheap. You don't want to skimp because you will be paying later for repair bills, so get something good from the start. Here is their link: http://www.marquisspas.com/
Also, I've never heard of the company you mentioned, so I can't comment on it other than you picked out a very comfortable looking one.

I will have to second the vote for a Marquis. Mine is almost a year old and have had no complaints with it. Compared to my old one, the Marquis is very easy to keep clean and regulates itself wonderfully. I am not sure about how good the really small ones are. Mine is the Quest.

Shucks, with different zones, chemicals hidden away, dual filters, different mood lights, a waterfall, and all ran off of a remote... what more could you want?

tonyb · July 2007

Did it also come with the babe to sit in it with you ?:p

wingnut4772 · July 2007

My only advice is to send it to my house.

bradm6406 · July 2007

We own a BullFrog spa (http://www.bullfrogspas.com/) and love it. It wasn't cheap, but it is very well built. The way they build the tubing into the hot tub means that it should never leak, but if it does it will essentially only leak back into the hot tub and you would lose a bit of pressure on the jet where it is leaking. You can also swap out the jets very easily by buying different "jetpacks".

The heater seems to be very efficient and powerful (I live in the frozen north of Canada and I can sit out there in -25 degrees Celsius with the lid off and the heater keeps up pretty well). The jets are also very nice, they've got some jets that none of the other hot tubs we checked out had that we love.

Brad

Holydoc · July 2007

tonyb wrote: »

Did it also come with the babe to sit in it with you ?:p

No. I had to supply that bit of equipment myself.

dragon1952 · July 2007

Appreciate the input everyone. Every little bit helps. This is a huge purchase. We're off to look at the Caldera right now.
Sorry wingnut, but if you're ever out this way I'll invite you over

Hey Holydoc, the Marquis dealer had a last years model Quest w/ upgraded motor in Silver Swirl for $6800, everything included (delivery, setup, etc) It was the only one of the Luxury models that didn't have 2 motors though, although it does have less jets to power. Can you give me more input on it?
Hey, biker...we've got a great place picked out and are going to design the deck especially for it

Ern Dog · July 2007

bikezappa wrote: »

Dragon1952

I have had a hot tube for over 10 years. I suggest you locate it out doors in as private an area as possible. I use my hot tube twice a day. First in the morning with coffee and after work with a beer. The really best times are in a large snow storm. Being out in the snowy windy cold weather nice and warm is a blast.

I have gone through 2 tubs and suggest that the simplest is the best. I never use the bubbling jets because they make to much noise for me. Quiet is best. A complicated jet system can also break. I have used a Sweetwater Bali for the past 7 years. It's round and has a 2 speed motor. The covers on all seem to suck and start to break at the seams in 2 years.

I have found a very simple chemical system for the tube that requires no chlorine or bromine which both have a distintive smell. You add a small amount of this chemical every two weeks and the tube is very clean. I'll look up the manufacturer if you like. I also suggest an ozone system.

Simple is best.

Bikezappa,
I'm interested in that chemical you mentioned. When you get the name, please post it here. I use bromine and I hate the smell it leaves on my body and in the tub. I rarely use my jets, as I prefer it quiet, and my cover sucks too. Ern Dog

hoosier21 · July 2007

Ern Dog wrote: »

Bikezappa,
I'm interested in that chemical you mentioned. When you get the name, please post it here. I use bromine and I hate the smell it leaves on my body and in the tub. I rarely use my jets, as I prefer it quiet, and my cover sucks too. Ern Dog

I am going to guess, Pristine Blue, I use it in my pool GREAT STUFF.

bikezappa · July 2007

I have not used chlorine for 4 years now and don't miss the smell and the water stays almost crystal clear. Here is the contact below. My wife tried it because she hated the chlorine. I told her it couldn't work. I was wrong. You first out in a chemical into the tub water for about one week. Then you must empty the tub and rinse out all the jets. Then fill the tub with water with a filter. Then you add 1/4 teaspoon of this chemical every other week and that's it. You refill with water through the filter only. We change the filters every other week. Caution if you add more than a 1/4 teaspoon of the chemical the water will get cloudy for a day or two. I also wipe down the tub with a plastic pad once a week. I have recommended this system to two of my friends and they love it.

Clear Choice East

John La Voie

1-800-456-7344

Let me know how it works for you.

Rivrrat · July 2007

I've owned 2, one in Wa and one in Az. They both were Hot Spring Sovereigns.

Hot Spring spas constantly get good reviews, and for good reason. They aren't cheap, but you get what you pay for.

BTW, they used to guarantee 5 bucks a month or less to heat or they'd pay the difference (including Alaska). The don't do that anymore, but I'm sure they're still that energy efficient.

jacob1 · October 2011

I'm glad I found this thread, maybe you can help me. My family is looking into adding a hot tub to our pool area. I had considered going scrapping but I think it would be safer to just buy a hot tub new. We love the pool we have but the minute it gets cold, it's worthless so we feel like a hot tub will allow us to continue our use of the backyard through the fall. We live in Kansas City and my neighbors, my wife and I all have no idea where to get them around here. I did see this hot tubs kansas city site while searching but I don't know anything about Family Leisure. Can someone offer me some information? I'm trying to have this settled within the month before snow so thanks for any quick replies!

Jer.War · October 2011

Check out Sundance Spas. 3 parts to their line to accomadate different therapy, size, and price point needs. Built in an ISO certified factory, full foam insulation, energy efficient motors, titantium heater element, and flexible wiring. I work in the hot tub service industry and in my opinion they have one of the best products in the market. Tons of information on energy ratings, models, etc on their web site.

bikezappa · October 2011

I have had a Sundance hot tub for 12 and it's still going. Replaced the motor and control board.

inspiredsports · October 2011

dragon1952 wrote: »

I'll be looking for a hot tub soon for our new house. If anyone has any knowledge in this area I'd be happy to hear from you. I just need a small, therapeutic one. I've been looking at the Haven Freeport Eclipse model.
http://www.spaspecialist.com/freeport.html
I know there is some real crap out there so any advice is appreciated.

My 4-year old 500 gallon 8-person will be dismantled and scrapped this spring.

It's in great shape, but no one wants to buy it and they can't lift it and carry it if they do. It took a team of eight strong guys to lower it off of a trailer into position. Raising it back up on to a trailer is an entirely tougher proposition.

Chemicals have a cost, maintenance is almost daily, and energy costs in my climate zone are $600 per year.

Then you will be out of town with a couple of your kids at home and when you come back the $400 top will be caved in by the party goers who ran across the top.

Cut your losses and DON'T buy one.

######################

If you go ahead anyway, remember that when you are in the tub with jets and bubbles on at night, the db level is high. You won't realize you are shouting to communicate with the person right next to you. The whole neighborhood will hear you so get close and whisper.

Get a large car tire (or even truck tire) innertube and float it in the center of the tub under the cover. The inflated innertube will provide enough lift that if someone does walk on top (or heavy snow load) it won't break the top.

Use "Metal Gon" or similar when you fill the tub, even with city water, to precipitate out metals that will mess with your chemical balance.

BlueFox · October 2011

I bought an 8 seater Coleman spa in 1995. Other than having to replace the heater (just like an oven element) it has been reliable. It runs a 2 hour cleaning cycle twice a day, every day, and I use it virtually every night. I always say it has been one of the better things I have ever purchased. Personally, I think it has helped keep me in better shape by relaxing the muscles and joints after the daily work BS, and the gym workouts.

Libertyc · October 2011

Get a saltwater one. No chemicals.

inspiredsports · October 2011

bikezappa · October 2011

Love my hot tub. Coffee is the morning before and a beer after work.

The best is sitting with hat in the tub with my wife and favorite drink during a Northeastern snow storm.

Willow · October 2011

inspiredsports wrote: »

.
If you go ahead anyway, remember that when you are in the tub with jets and bubbles on at night, the db level is high. You won't realize you are shouting to communicate with the person right next to you. The whole neighborhood will hear you so get close and whisper.

This is so true, our neighbours diag. across and behind us just got one this week, last night was the first night they were in it and all our windows are closed (it's getting cold) we could hear them talk. We are talking about 40-50 feet. I would hate to be right next to them. All that said we will be inviting ourselves over soon.

Advice for hot tub/spa purchase

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