Cover lifter or not?

[96SC]

Do you folks have cover lifters or not?  I see posts talking about each but can't determine if a majority of you do or don't have one.
Thanks

[dax]

I just purchased a Sundance Cameo and a Covermate I lifter was included in the price.  Even if it didn't come with the tub, I'd have purchased one because I have two kids (ages 14 & 12) and I could just imagine them struggling with the cover without a lift.  They would have dragged it and dropped it, and who knows what else.  It is convenient.  It sticks up about two feet or so above the spa, which isn't bad.  Plus I have it oriented towards the house and all the seats face away from it, so it doesn't distract from any views while we're soaking.

[Gary]

Every spa should have some type of lift device. Money well spent!

[Brewman]

I'd guess that most have them.  I wouldn't want to go without.  
 I also would guess that many dealers just price them into the package.

[H823Putt]

I have a CoverMate II and love it!
It makes it that much less of a hassel trying to take it off or putting it back on. It only blocks about a foot and a half of view behind the spa. The way my spa is set up I do not even notice it because 99.9% of the time while sitting in the tub I am facing the other way. By the way I have a Caldera Aspire.

Here is a pic


A view from my spa

[drewstar]

I would "guess" that 99% of folks have cover lifters.  

I've seen only three without:

1) my first cheapy POS, free,  3rd hand round spa.  What a pain in the butt.

2) Zep - who has a fancy smancy faux stone panel and doesn't want to drill into it.  

3) Folks with a flush install on deck. They just slide the cover off to the side.


I highly recomend a lifter.   Having had a tub without one, and 2 tubs with the lifter, I think it's a must. It makes using the tub so much easier and saves the cover from being torn up (And from getting dirty, which ends up in the water).

Some lifters are better than others, so shop around.

[Vinny]

I have a lifter ... it makes life so much easier.

[thearm]

Count me as one who Doesn't have a lifter on my tub! It sits very tight to house with no room for lift on where I would put it. The other side would destroy my view. I guess you don't miss what you never had. My cover comes all very easy and I put  it between the house and the tub.

[Zep]

re: "Zep - who has a fancy smancy faux stone panel and doesn't want to drill into it"

LOL@Drew.......

Thats not actually the reason I don't have one......because I did have a cover lifter
....until I decided I did not like a cover lifter and removed it and sold it on CraigsList.com.

I agree coverlifters are for most folks......most spa owners like them.

Personally I don't like the way the cover lifters look.....and the way many of them
obsure part of the view......plus I had a slight feeling of "flimsy" when I used it.

But I realize I am in the minority....most people love them....good for them....2EachHisOwn.

 

[96SC]

Thanks everyone who has replied.

Those of you that have the CoverMate lifters, did you install it yourself?  Do you have the side or under mount version?  If you installed it yourself was it a PITA to do?  I saw them at Dr. Spa's website and they look easy enough to install.

Sorry Zep, we'll have the poor man's normal ol' wood siding.  I do have a couple concrete drill bits if you ever change your mind

[Vinny]

I have the covermate 3. I installed it myself and it wasn't a big deal. The hardest part for me was to get the back where it tilts even on both sides ... measured a few times before installing to get it correct. Also, I mounted it on the top 2x4 support so I don't think it'll go anywhere.

I chose it for a few reasons - you only need 6 inches clearance, the cover sits high - blocks neighbors and wind and it has pnumatic lifts which I think help in lifting and lowering the cover.

I don't have magnificent views so how high the cover is was no concern.

[ASAP]

I haven’t installed the one that came with my tub yet.

Like Zep, I don’t really like the look of the lifter and the obstructed view that results from its installation.

I’m waiting to see if it will be really complicated to remove the cover once the winter elements come into play. This will be the deciding factor for me on installing or not.

[Bonibelle]

Wow Vinny, our kids have the same names, our dogs share the same name.. ... AND
I also have a covermateIII, I love how easily it opens and, just like my friend Vinny, I like that I can block the view of neighbors and the cold wind in the winter. Last spring, we even sat in the tub in a torrential downpout. We used our spa blanket to make a roof from the cover!! ..

[Zep]

re: Sorry Zep, we'll have the poor man's normal ol' wood siding.

My rock facade cabinet has absolutely nothing to do
with my dislike of coverlifters.

If I traded in my spa and had a traditional wood panel cabinet
I still wouldn't choose to have a cover lifter. Just not my cup of tea.
But it's great if you get one and love it.

re: I do have a couple concrete drill bits if you ever change your mind

LOL....don't hold your breath....plus the lifter I had slid under
my tub so the regular screws were not needed.



The Covermate2-UB (Covermate2 pictured) is similar to the CoverMate2
except that the brackets can be mounted to a deck or slid under the spa
with the weight of the spa holding it down. Ideal for spas that do not have
a solid skirt or certain spa shapes that won't allow mounting to the spa
skirt like cut corner spas, octagon shapes, etc.

[dax]

Those of you that have the CoverMate lifters, did you install it yourself?  Do you have the side or under mount version?  If you installed it yourself was it a PITA to do?  I saw them at Dr. Spa's website and they look easy enough to install.

Delivery guys installed my lifter, which is a side mount.  Looked fairly straight forward.