queenwench

NW.....I know who you are???? Your the roady for Jim the Jim's Band....Come on fess up...it's you isn't it? Gee, never a dull moment on this forum.....Have a good night folks....Soak Well and Prosper ..... P.S. Go Soak NW, sounds like you've had a hard day defending your planet.....

I checked out the link you posted...I would contact the manufacturer regarding the use of this product, on you deck, under the spa...There seems to be nothing on the wb site that refers to using it for the application you are considering. This is not a home or enclosed structure. The closest I can see is the application for use of cement wall surfaces and stucco..a far cry from a spa sitting on a deck exposed to the elements on all four sides....Please, double check if it is aplicable to your site. Why waste time and money if it's not going to work or not useful to your spa area.

Jake, I got the "Lift an Glide" w/my Sumatran also...Haven't had it delivered yet. (Mid October, hopefully) Let me know how you like it and how you like the Sumatran (post Pic's PLEASE).... I had a lifter w/my HSClassic. I just flipped the cover half and lifted the rest of the cover to an up-right position. I'm sure it had a name but, I never deleved into it....It was easy and worked for me. That was many years ago.... When I gave the "Lift an Glide" on the showroom model a try, it was much easier than the lifter I had w/ HS classic, and, took up less space, as far as I can remember.

Hey Down boy/girl.....I'm not sure what you mean by getting a Kia for a Lexus...or for that matter hot tubs being worth your time...? Someone posted an article about the supposed "Costco/Dealer Wars"...check the begining of this thread, on this forum, to see what is being posted regarding the issue mentioned, that you seem to be making an issue about.... QUOTE [Just a hunch, but hey, maybe I'm a man with a wife that needs more than I can offer. Then again, maybe I'm a woman with a pet ferret that has a talent for curling up in furry places.]UNQUOTE If the above, is the case, then I think you may want to check out SAUNA"S...you won't get your fur wet in any case.

Closed for the season??????

I did get a used spa...well sort of, years ago. It came with the house I bought. It was a 1 year old Hot Springs Classic. I was shown how to use it by the original owner. He spoke to the Hot Springs dealer and it was agreed that I could keep the warranty in effect....The catch was, the original owner of the Classic was purchasing another larger spa from the dealer. I only had ONE service call the whole 5 years that I had that spa....I had one jet go out the 2nd year I had it. The jet was replaced, no questions asked. I hated to leave that spa...I really loved it....even with those fake tiles on the shell. It is still being used today...the spa is now 10 years old!!!! A thought, Perhaps you can work a deal with the owners about having it checked out dry (with a % of money down), then when it's set up, have the spa tech check it out running...if you have MAJOR problems, then negotiate the final price. Of course put it ALL in writing, along with the spa techs results. That protects you and the previous owners a bit. I think all parties should act in a fair manner. There would be certain things that would be considered "normal wear and tear" but, if you are being fair and the spa tech knows his/her field well you should be able to come up with a reasonable $ for the spa. Give it some thought, the worst that the original owners can say is NO, and you aren't out a ton of money other than the tech call and the time you have invested. There are a lot of good tech's on this forum, ask them what one should look for in a good spa tech and what to ask. Good luck and keep us posted as to what you decide.

I looked at the warranty...appears that it would not be transferable......The price you've got sounds good. I would want to see it w/water, jets running and wet test it. Perhaps have a spa tech look it over to make sure all is well with the unit before the final purchase. Just a common sense suggestion IMHO. Good luck.

I agree with you about the smaller spa's being much higher priced than I thought they should be. I may get laughed at but, I think as the poulation gets older and smaller 2-3 person spas and 4-5 person spas are what people may be searching for the price may come down, as your comment suggests......[ finding that they have a better price point than the smaller ones; perhaps b/c the small spas are so specialized? ] Good luck in your search...I'm sure you will find what is best suited for your needs. There are other spas that will fit the 4 person seating arrangement....besides Tiger River there is: Marquis, http://www.calderaspas.com/Spa_Showroom_Ho...cumberland.html Coleman:http://www.colemanspas.com/storeitems/show/10/ Cooperage:http://www.colemanspas.com/storeitems/show/1/ Jacuzzi:http://jacuzzihottubs.com/j-300/j-335.html Nordic:http://www.nordichottubs.com/spas/nordic-spas.aspx?seating=5 Gosh I could go on...and I'm sure others will be able to add to this list.....As I said before, one does not need to spend mucho bucks for a good solid spa, w/good dealer support. Take your time and find what you need. Wet test and enjoy what you purchase....Again, good luck.

Thanks for posting the photo's!!!!! Wonderful Spa...it's just tooooo cute!!! Wishing You Many Years of Relaxing Soaks.

When I went searching for a spa I had a few requirements. 1) Hydro therapy 2) Small in size due to space restrictions 3)Under $6,000. I narrowed my search to three companies as we have so few to choose from that are near by for dealer support. I wet tested the Coleman 351 http://www.colemanspas.com/storeitems/show/5/ A GREAT SPA!!!I am 5'3" and I loved the lounger. (it was the ONLY spa I tried that I did NOT float in) My friends came along one is 6'1" and he liked the whole spa even the seat that sits you straight up, it really hits the back area well. My other friend is 5'5" and she had no complaints either. A nice spa for two-three people w/ good therapy jets. $5100.00 w/cover lifter,steps,3 months of chemicals, 5 year warranty free set up Wet tested the Hot Springs Jetsetter and the SolanaTX. Loved the Solana, it's ugly but, nicewith the moto massage and a nice foot jet. Didn't like the fact that you had to crawl over each other to get to the other seat. I did not like the Jetsetter but to each his own. I floated out of the lounge seat and w/ jets on high I was pushed forward out of the seat. My friend didn't like the fact that it didn't have calf jets. Also the seats had a tight feel for two people. Solana TX $3,400.00 w/cover, set-up, and 2 months of chemicals, 1 year warranty. Jetsetter 5695.00 w/cover and lifter, 3 months of chemicals, free set-up and delivery and steps. Both SolanaTX and Jetsetter are 220 or 110 set up. In warmer climates 110 vs 220 may not be an issue. http://www.hotspring.com/Spa_Showroom_Hot_...CFSQYZAodOw4ewA http://www.solanaspa.com/showroom_tx.html Wet tested the Resort by Artesian. Nice fit for short folks, for me just fine,if you are over 5'8" it's a bit tight. $5,695.00. The jets felt great but this one only comes with a 1 year warranty. 220V or 110V set up. http://resortspas.net/500L.asp Wet tested the Tiger River Bengal and Sumatran...Loved the Bengal but was to large for my space. I decided on the Sumatran. Open seating, great fit for tall and short folks, 6'6" X 6'6" X 33", the jets hit in all the right places w/two seats letting you ajust the jets to hit you where you want them, a powerful foot jet, and for me if I sit in the cool down seat I get a great calf massage before I get out. Not much in whistles and bells. I don't give much care for waterfalls, light shows and music. I'm there for the therapy and the relaxing soak. $5,100.00 w/cover, lifter, steps, three month of chemicals, free delivery and set-up. Bengal 220V set up Sumatran 110V or 220V set-up http://tigerriver.hotspring.com/Models/spa...s_sumatran.html http://tigerriver.hotspring.com/Models/spa...els_bengal.html I hope this helps. You don't have to spend a ton of money on a spa to get hydro therapy and a relaxing soak. I really liked the Coleman but chose the Sumatran for the only reason of the open seating. In Washington state (unless you are in the mountains, insulation FF vs TP should not be a major issue for you IMHO. Good luck with your search...and when you do find the spa of your choice many happy years of soaking. The only other advice I would STRONGLY suggest is WET TEST. I thought all these folks were nut's. They were right. Each spa is different; each fits is different. If not for the "Wet Test" I would have purchsed the Jetsetter and been very disappointed,as I would have been only able to use half the spa.

Where do you live? If it's an area that get's very cold in the winter that may be a consideration, for you, regarding energy costs and insulation factors with the spa you choose. What was/is your "antique" that you are replacing? What was good about it? What would you like to have that it did/does not? Are you going to "wet test" the spa's you are considering?....I would recommend that IMHO

WOW!!!! I can not believe this thread is still going on.....I'm going to soak now...I'll check back later to see if anyone has anything new to say.....

Nice set-up! Enjoy the spa....

Hot Springs Sumatran is 6' X 6'. A bit more room for people.

As you have mentioned, in your original post, you have original plans from the original insatllation of your deck. This was a professional installation. At the bottom of the plans you will find the names of the builders, possibly the designer, and the seal for approval from the city/village/county regarding your deck. This has been filed with you city/village/county. I strongly suggest you call these people, to ask them for the proper load requirements etc. regarding your situation. They can work with you and give you EXACT requirements. Once they have done that, in future, as long as you have followerd their recomendations and requirements, if anything goes wrong, they are liable for situations that may arise in the future. Better safe than sorry.

IMHO...go with the Jacuzzi J-480 .....What other spa's have you looked at? What are your reasons for going with the Jacuzzi? Just curious about how you arrived at the decision on the Jacuzzi J-480.

You'll never know until you ask. The worst he can say is NO. I had a very good feel for Artesians, I just found another brand I liked as much and negotiated a good deal. (at least I think so) Artesian has a good dealer rep, where I live, also has a good warranty, is insulated well, and for me, the seating was very nice, etc..... So, again, ASK....who know's what deal you may be able to arrive at. Good luck in what ever you choose. Just remember when you do buy, POST THOSE PIC'S!!!!! I, for one, love to see all the new spa's in folks yards.

"I am a sales person who has sold more types of tubs then most other people you will speak to, I sell all different brands and have no benefit in which product you buy. I have also serviced and delivered spas. All statements made by me are my simple opinion, if you disagree with the opinion you have the right to make your own opinion. I hope we can keep this professional and understand that sometimes people disagree, lets just disagree in a nice mannor with no reasons to take personal shots at one another." TravelingSpaGuy....Congradulations for making a lot of money, having an opinion, and disagreeing with other's. As this is, The United States Of America, you are entitled to all of the above. My point here is, Can you please re-read what you post before you post. Think about what you have just wrote and look at it as if someone was saying this to you. Then ask youself, does it ruffle my feathers? Does it offend me? Does it make me angry? Perhaps if you were a bit more polite and less abrasive in your respones, the fur wouldn't fly, like it seems to when you post your opinion. You DO make many valid points, yet, at times, the respones are so off the mark and not in keeping with the questions of the original post that I for one see this as "Hijacking the Thread". Please take this in the spirit of friendly observation...nothing more. This is just a forum, not life or death Horatio. So, can anyone answer the original questions, by the poster? Does anyone even remember what it was w/o going back to the begining?

I don't care if you got the spa from the man in the moon....as long as you are happy with it, that is ALL that matters, in the end. If you remember, while you are doing the prep work, try and take photo's of your progress. I, for one, love to see the progress and the finished product. I know others also love to see others spa set-up's...LOL...it's a Better Homes and Spa view. Enjoy your spa when it comes.....

Happy Soakin'....Please post photo's....Would love to see the final project.

Knowing Watson's like I do, here in Nashville. I would still check out other spa dealers. You may have had a good support group w/the pool but, the SPA tech's are not the same as the POOL techs. It is a different department. Perhaps it's different in St. Louis, as each Watson's are owned and operated by different individuals but, I doubt it. I mentioned before, in another post to you; check the BBB rating...not only look at the rating but look at the issues people had and how long it has taken them to be resolved. You can ask the BBB for further information on the issues. http://www.stlouis.bbb.org/commonreport.ht...ompid=310012376 That said: If you are set on a spa from Watson's, my opinion would be to go for the Caldera. Best of Luck in your search.

Wow, Dr Spa...I did not know you could have the covers open another way! My dealer told me it can only open one way, their way...I guess I'll check out yours and see...I should have known just about anything can be done. Learn something every day.

I know this isn't a bar, but it gives you an idea what the surround may look like. http://www.artesianspas.com/main/yardpadzdetail.asp The next link is a great one, even if you don't have a Hot Springs Spa....the planner will help you put together the look you want and it's easy to use. http://www.hotspring.com/Backyard_Planning...d_planning.html Lowes and Home Depot have some great idea books on spa planning that include wet bars, seating and extras for around your spa. Hope some of this helps.

Watson's is also a retailer in our area. (Nashville). Check the local Watson's BBB rating in your area. The Watson's here has a good rating, considering that they sell large quantities of not just pools & spa's but pool tables, tanning beds, etc. I can't speak for your area. Many of the other stores, in the Watson's chain stores, sell at least two to three other brands of spa's. The one here sells Cal Spa, Atesian, and Viking. Different stores in the Watson's chain may have other's, than their main brand, the Cal Spa, which Watson's consider the middle brand. So, I would suggest, look into other brands that they may sell. Wet test them and purchase what you feel is the best fit and price for you. That is, after you have checked out other dealers in your area. You live in a large metro area, there must be other spa dealers to check out with other good brand names of spa's Watson's does have a good "bring it in, and will test your water free for you". The tech dept (and I can only speak for my area) is okay. They sub out Artesian to Artesian tech repair folks but, all other's are with their in house repair tech's. I asked why the difference and the reply was, "It's part of our agreement with Artesian". Artesian is the Watson's higher end spa here. Anyway, I hope this helps you out. Good Luck.

Okay, I looked up what I thought MAY be the issue. Please, go to the Hot Tub Water Chemistry section of this forum (you'll find it on the main log in page)..see the section "Disintegrating Jets, July 25 2007"; it's not too far down on the posts.... read that section.....after I finished re-reading, it it MAY be the chemicals. Waterbear should be able to give you better help on this problem. This is more of his area. I just have a hunch that it is chemical related....and, I may be wrong. Good luck...let me know how you solve the issue. Do contact your dealer about the issue no matter what you end up doing. Queenwench