Help deciding to get a Hot Tub or not!!

[afc wimbledon]

Rather have a massive soaker tub, all the same benefits but you just drain it after use, no chemicals involved.

[hedge]

I started using salt water with a chlorine generator. very little maintenance now.

having said that, we don't use it nearly as much as we did when we first got it.

[flylock shox]

For those who gave it up, what led you to stop using it?

I'm thinking of buying one as well, thinking Vancouver winters might be more amenable to it. Not a big hot tub guy, but reckon I'd use one if I had one, if for no reason other than to have a way to use my outdoor space during our impending 8 months of rain.

[Dynamic]

I had one at the place when I was going to school for 2 months. It was just awesome to go into after a long night of studying. I made it my every other night routine of studying then buying some different beer and have a couple, then bed. Of course I never had to worry about the maintainence part of it.

[Thor]

I'm a hot tub person so I am biased, there is nothing more soothing and relaxing at night to jump in the tub and relax after a hard day at work. I don't currently have one because I'm renting in Iceland, but soon as I buy my own place I will have in mind that I want to put one in.

Just sitting in one, relaxing, is one of the truly peaceful moments in a day, but its not for everyone, I use it a lot.

[savemedrzaius]

When I saw this thread first thing I thought of:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_Water_(American_Dad!)

I don't think we are allowed to post links to streaming sites so find this and watch. One of the best episodes. Such an underrated show.

[OldDutch]

I had one at home while I was growing up. My Dad bought one and it was placed next to the back deck so you walked from the back door across covered outdoor carpet and got in. It was as easy as possible to use it, but after a few years we never did.

I found as a kid I chickened out in the winter, and in the summer the thing was just way too hot. In the 10 years we had it I probably used it less than 100 times with use heavily weighted to when we first got it.

By the end my Dad drained it and it sat until guests came with kids. In the summer he would fill it with warm water and use it as a pool and drain it.

Oh and the other thing I remember was people come over and don't hose off before they get in. Especially if you have a hot tub party. Next day you have to drain the thing, just a disgusting soupy mess.

It did help sell my parents place though, as the buyers saw it and thought is was a really cool thing to have...

EDIT: I do remember having a hot tub party when the Flames were on the 2004 run. I brought our TV out back and everyone drank and watched the game. To this day it was the best environment I have ever watched a game in. Booze, Ladies in Bikinis, Hot Tub, Flames beating San Jose in Western Final. Almost made up for all the years of neglect.

[Cuz]

Originally Posted by flylock shox

For those who gave it up, what led you to stop using it?

I'm thinking of buying one as well, thinking Vancouver winters might be more amenable to it. Not a big hot tub guy, but reckon I'd use one if I had one, if for no reason other than to have a way to use my outdoor space during our impending 8 months of rain.

My in laws in Vancouver have a hot tub and it's rather enjoyable to be in the tub on a cold rainy night with the dichotomy between the cold rain and the hot tub.

[zukes]

My in laws have one as well and use it every day. I am in it every time I am over there and my kids love it as well. My wife will only rarely go in....actually that's a plus for when I get one. Some nice alone time.

I've got some work to do in my yard, but have the go ahead once that is done. Can't wait.