BCHardee

Well, now I am all turned around. It sounds like my wife is ready to say ok to a nordic crown xl. The only hitch is I am not sure about buying a tub with so little insulation underneath it. I have been pm'ing folks who have said they own them to find out about energy use and for some, the add on insulating methods they have used. Anyone else have insights about nordic tubs - especially in regards to insulation or electric usage? FYI - they have sprayed on foam on the underside of the tub with no insulation around the inside of the walls or bottom of the base. PS The only artesian dealer near me has only one of their tubs and it has the collars on the seats that hit me about in the shoulder blades

So, did you decide to buy the Hawthorne? Two of the leading tubs on my list of possibilities right now are in the sundance 600 series - the hartford and burlington and - like you - I am having hard time finding anyone who has any knowledge or experience related to them. I am shopping here in CT and am looking at a hartford for 6300 and a burlington for 5300. I did have someone also quote me 6385 delivered for an 08 hawthorne or 7085 for one with all the extras.

Hi all, I have been gaining a lot from reading the forum so I thought I would post. We moved from PA to CT recently and decided to bring our 8 year old Thermospa Avalon with us. It had been on an interior porch so was in pretty good shape. Once we arrived here we had it on an exterior deck where it really started to fall apart in the weather. The wood siding was damaged (partly from an animal). When I went to hook it up to newly run 50amp service there turned out to be a problem with the control board circuit as far as the electrician could tell. There was also a leak somewhere that quickly drained the tub. Due to the age of the tub, the multiple problems, and the dissatisfaction we have had with it - we decided to replace it. That search has led me many places - jacuzzi, artesian, catalina, marquis, hot springs, coleman, D1 and sundance. We have been trying to keep the price down. My wife and I really like the Sundance Hartford (600 series version of the optima seating pattern) but at $6300 for a wet test floor model '07 before ozone, steps, lifter it feels like more than my wife wants to go for. I like the marquis as well but the pricing is challenging (6400 for the U418 of the everyday line and the dealer doesn't have anything nicer from them at the moment). The sundance dealer recommends a burlington for $5300 but neither of us enjoy the lounger we have so we haven't been that interested in having one in the new spa. More recently she has asked about a simpler round tub for less cost. Because I want to use the 50amp service we have setup and would prefer not to have to change the breakers to a different amperage if I don't have to, my options are limited. I went and looked at a Coleman California Cooperage 103 today and it seems pretty good. I am unsure about the "thermolock" insulation which is not full foam as that is one of the problems I have with my thermospa. I also wonder about the leg room with the round spa. I want to check into the nordic 40" deep rounds to check on prices and see if I can see them. I know the closest dealer of theirs didn't have any on the floor when I was there. I am told they are not as good as the coleman, especially in the comfort of the seats. Has anyone had any experiences with the Sundance Hartford or Burlington or the Coleman (California Cooperage) 103 spas? Or does anyone have insight into the coleman style of insulation and if it is actually heat efficient? Or does anyone think a spa without a full plastic base is a concern? Or finally anyone have any pricing comparisons? Thanks for any help you can give.