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Re: Spa newbie needing advice on buying a new spa.

Posted By: n1oty
Date: Saturday, 13 May 2006, at 3:05 p.m.

In Response To: Spa newbie needing advice on buying a new spa... (Jimmy2k)

I doubt you will find 15 quality manufacturers in this business. The vast majority are purveyors of junk. Fortunately, you seem to be doing your homework. I like three of the four brands you mentioned. The Jacuzzi, Sundance and Hot Springs brands are all solid. For that matter, the Jacuzzi and Sundance tubs are basically the same. They are made by the same company in the same plant in California with the same electronics and same pumps/motors.

Take the HP ratings with a grain of salt. This is one area where many (most?) hot tub manufacturers stretch the truth a bit. This is another reason why it is important to wet test any tub you are seriously considering.

I wouldn't get too caught up with the 4 kW versus 6 kW heater debate, unless you live in a brutally cold area. The Jacuzzi, Sundance and Hot Springs brands are all heavily insulated and the 4 kW's do quite well. On the Jacuzzi tubs, I believe they are actually 4.3 kW. I am not hearing any complaints from customers during our New England winters concerning the efficacy of the 4 kW heaters.

With the Hot Springs tubs, you could end up with either a 4 or a 6 kW heater. They install the 4 kW in tubs with 2 main jet pumps. They install the 6 kW in tubs that only have 1 main jet pump.

John

: Hello all, I'm a newbie looking to buy a new
: hot tub and I really have little knowledge
: in this area. What I could really use is a
: ranking of say the top 15 spa makers. I have
: been doing as much research on this as I
: possibly can as I plan on spending upwards
: to 8-9k on this, which is a large amount of
: cash. I'm lucky to have 3 different sellers
: in my area and they sell Jaccuzi,
: HotSprings, CalSpa, and Sundance brands. Of
: these I'm more impressed (so far) with the
: HotSprings and Jaccuzi brands.

: What I've learned so far...
: - I have seen many say to make sure whoever I
: buy from that they will be there to service
: when reparis are needed. This seems to be a
: common thread throughout and I can see the
: importance of this.
: - I also plan on doing a wet test.
: - Not knowing much about the bad side of
: ozonators I'll probably go with this.
: - I've read that 4 horsepower for 25 jets makes
: for weak jet strength and that a 4kw heater
: for 400 gallons doesn’t have enough power to
: heat the water back up once the cover has
: been removed.
: - HotSprings claims to have some special
: thermoplastic material they make their
: shells out of that is better than the rest,
: could just be a sales pitch.

: If anyone has opinions on these please share!
: That's about the extent of what I've
: learned, so any and all infomration/opinions
: are welcome!

: Much Thanks!
: Jimmy

Messages In This Thread

• Spa newbie needing advice on buying a new spa...
  Jimmy2k -- Friday, 12 May 2006, at 6:56 p.m.
  • Re: Spa newbie needing advice on buying a new spa.
    Vinny -- Friday, 12 May 2006, at 7:52 p.m.
  • Re: Spa newbie needing advice on buying a new spa.
    footsie -- Saturday, 13 May 2006, at 6:47 a.m.
  • Re: Spa newbie needing advice on buying a new spa.
    drboyd -- Saturday, 13 May 2006, at 9:42 a.m.
  • Re: Spa newbie needing advice on buying a new spa.
    n1oty -- Saturday, 13 May 2006, at 3:05 p.m.
  • Re: Spa newbie needing advice on buying a new spa.
    Jimmy2k -- Saturday, 13 May 2006, at 3:06 p.m.
    • Re: Spa newbie needing advice on buying a new spa.
      rali -- Saturday, 13 May 2006, at 10:10 p.m.

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