Buying a hot tub

[Ruttiger]

Originally Posted by Sliver

I hate hot tubs.

Of course you do.

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by Ruttiger

Of course you do.

A person in a hot tub is basically stew to bears.

[RichieRich]

I grew up with one at home. My dad spent a lot of time and cussing keeping it maintained which included everything from water to pH, pump and piping, to chemicals, covers and access, etc... We never used it in the summer, only the winter. Was awesome until twice it turned into a giant icecube (fortunately no tub or piping damage by some miracle). Fond memories as a kid, but is it worth the effort? Also after the hot tub people have to come inside for drying and showers.


That said... loads of fun. Lots of hot tub parties, then for a few weeks it would smell of beer and whatever got spilled.


Consider the capital costs of everything and maintenance. consider zero resale value. Maybe better value to take the family to a local spa place a few times each year.

[Terradude]

I've had a couple over the years. I had a spaboy "portable" one that plugged into regular 110 outlets and later had a top of the line Arctic saltwater tub in my place in Invermere.

I enjoyed both but would suggest going with the lower cost spaboy type for a first go. You don't get the form fitting reclino-loungers but you do get nice hot water with good bubble action at a relatively low operating cost. The tub I had didn't have a heater - the water was heated by circulating around the pump. The problem was that it took a while to get to temp but once at temp would stay hot through the coldest of Calgary winters.

The salt water tub was great for a more remote place that I didn't need to be testing the water every couple of days, but was more of a pain when it came time to changing the water. Arctic spas make a great tub for Canada's weather.

I enjoyed a late night soak just before going to bed. It's nice to hang out outside and look at the stars and unwind...does the mind some good.

[puffnstuff]

There was a free one on the side of the highway that I saw today, slightly dented but didnt look that bad.
May not be there for long though, there was a guy with a flat deck UHaul trailer backing up in the shoulder to check it out...