Hottub vs Softub

[Queen K]

I just looked up Softub, a Canadian company promoting their product for outdoor living.

Looks interesting and more reasonably priced than hottubs.

Does anyone have a Softub? Care to share what you like or don't like about them. Not asking for a friend, I want to do some serious outdoor living upgrades here.

Would you buy one again? Pros? Cons? Did you buy their surround at $1,300? Seems it would be simplier to do than try to get one built for cheaper.

[Jlabute]

I don’t have one :-)

But, looking at the rare reviews you can find, I’m not sure people are happy with them. They run off 120v, take much longer to heat, still fairly pricey, and might not be as comfortable. Not sure if it is insulated or not... do you plan to use it outside during winter time? Could cost a lot to heat, and the tub may not get as hot as you like.

How do you plan to use it?

Hard to find good reviews on it.

[Queen K]

Ya, I think I'm going with hot tub with room to move around abit.

[dirtybiker]

Make sure all your electrical service is up to code and with enough juice
to handle it.
We had to upgrade at a cost of $5000.00 and change.

[Bsuds]

If she is in the hot flash stage she might not need to heat it.

[Queen K]

Make sure all your electrical service is up to code and with enough juice
to handle it.
We had to upgrade at a cost of $5000.00 and change.

Yes to all of that.

I am shocked by how many people are so negative about having a hot tub.

Is there anyone here who still loves their hot tub after having one for so many years? I mention I want one and all kinds of people come out of the wood work to be negative about it. Why is that?

[oldtrucker]

I have a pond. Kick the ducks n' frogs out, throw fire heated rocks in...30 minutes later, good to go.
You guys should come over.

[alanjh595]

I can picture it now........

[W105]

only people I know who got rid of their hot tubs were the ones who stopped using it so much and they wanted or needed the room (area) back where it was sitting...otherwise everyone I know that has them just loves them and in the summer time you don't need to heat it...turn the heat off and you'll have a nice cool pool with jets (for the sore spots)..

the soft tubs are garbage (my MIL had one, just junk) and the most important part about a hot tub is learn how they run so if you do have any problems chances are you can fix it yourself if you are mechanically inclined because calling a tech could cost some $$

[seewood]

We had one installed last year ( hot tub) upgraded the electrical as we only had 100Amps into the house. Needed 40 amps I believe for the tub. ( mid sized)
Nice in the winter but I never stayed on top of the chemicals and it got dodgy at times. Drained it back in early June and it has been empty this summer.
We have the tub store under contract for 6 months to check and keep it balanced this winter.
It is nice with a glass of wine or two.

[Queen K]

I would not even mind the hottub being empty in June/July/August. As long as the cooler months, which in Canada, is most of the year, it is up and running.

I saw HotSpring products today. Sunshine Store. Very nice finishes.

And yes, I was asking about the chemical situation, with saltwater pools I am assured it is much easier to run and keep up.

Anyone want to talk about their saltwater systems?

https://www.hotspring.com/shop-hot-tub- ... -sovereign

Anyone have a saltwater Sovereign?

[Poindexter]

My aunt and uncle own a soft tub and they love it, he uses it practically every night. Works on a 120 plug so no outdoor junction box or additional circuit breakers required. Jets are weak so no hard core massage, just a good warm soak to work out some stiffness and wind down from the day.

[Queen K]

I never did get either one. Just too hassled this year for it. Hopefully next year is it.

[seewood]

We have had one for 3? years or more. Shopped around for a reputable dealer with a well stocked store and has been in business for some time.

As we were building a shop, our electrical was upgraded to 400 amps. 100 remains in the house, 200 to the shop and 100 to a subpanel in our garden shed where 40 ? amps went to the tub.

[dirtybiker]

Somewhere in the area of 20 years since purchase, a new mother board, 2 pumps
rebuilt, a circuit repaired in the heater. still going strong.

Bought the hot tub from Costco, so saved close to 50% on purchase
price, with more options than any of the local stand alone stores
offered.

8'x8' over 30 jets, LED lighting, stereo, and waterfall (meh, useless but looks cool)
Seating for 6 although 4 is more reasonable. 1-2 is ideal.

The 2 times needed for warranty items. Zero push back. (long over now)

Friend had a soft tub, liked it great for a few months then, the
novelty wore off and it became a bane.

Turfed it.