Why did you decide to get a spa?
My sis-in-law has one up in Maine. It is outside, exposed to the sky - the winter evening tubbing experience sold me. I always tend to "hermit" myself in the winter because I don't like the cold. Now that I "get out there" to go tubbing, I find that I dont shy away from the winter so much and am enjoying the season I like least. Without being confined inside all winter I find that I'm more healthy, I have very few (or no) colds, I have more resistance, and I'm outside as much as I am in the summer (with the right clothing of course).
Does your spa live up to all expectations?
So far yes. Having never owned a spa before, I had to learn all the little nuances (chems!!) of owning a spa. But I'm all good now.
How long have you owned your spa?
More than 1 year
What accessories/options?
5 seats, 1 lounge - the lounge has back and leg jets, two 5-HP pumps, full-foam, foot jets, floor mounted volcano jet, 2 waterfalls, 2 seats I would consider "high therapy" seats with different configs. 1 seat is not too deep with a wide spray of rotator jets-some at extreme lower back. The other seat is very deep with 3 neck massage jets and other large rotator jets that cover the whole back but not as low down. The lounge back jets are similar to this seat. The other three seats are basic jet or small rotator jet seats. My spa was sold to me with 3 months of chems, and cover. I got stronger pumps and an ozone system added for free in a sales promotion. I got a cover lifter for free for financing the tub interest-free over the first 90 days (I paid off all the financing on day 1, day 15, and day 67 before any interest was due). Except for pouring concrete (which my dealer hooked me up with) I prepared the whole site and did all the electrical work myself. I extended my existing deck to include a lower step-down deck that wraps around the tub and added integrated steps that you can step up into the tub from and some subtle ambient lighting for evening soaks.
What do you like best?
tubbing outdoors at night below 60 degrees (fall, winter, spring) is still my best scenario. The two therapy seats are my fave seats.
Is there anything about your spa you don't like?
Surprisingly, the jets that slam the back of my legs in the lounge are too much. They should be adjustable jets. I don't use the lounge much but everyone else does - so that's fine.
What might you change if you had to "do it all over"?
I might have looked at a wider selection of tubs after finding this messageboard, but I still love my tub.
Is there anything you're sorry you left out?
No
Are there any features you now feel aren't necessary?
I think waterfalls are a waste. They really don't add anything useful to the tub. They maybe look cool - but that's short-lived.
Have you encountered any problems, and if so, how were they resolved?
Not yet.
