Dealers- What are your Spa's 2008 Warranty?

[Summitman]

J.J.
Don't forget that the original Jacuzzi Pan Bottom was a fiberglass pan.  It was "upgraded" to an A.B.S. pan since the fiberglass became brittle after a while.  
Jacuzzi has been doing it for so long they know what works and what dosent.  I find it funny when a small company comes up with what they think is a great idea, only to realize that Jacuzzi beat them to it by 20 years.

this is directly from the predelivery instructions for a jacuzzi spa with the ABS floor

"We recommend a poured,
reinforced concrete slab with a minimum thickness of 4 inches (10 centimeters). Wood decking
is also acceptable provided it is constructed so that it meets the requirements outlined above"


the following is directly from Arctics Forever Floor descriptions
"Already renowned for our sturdy wood floor, standard on every Arctic Spa, our engineers decided to raise the bar yet again by developing the Forever Floor®. Composed of hand-rolled fiberglass composites, this floor is impervious to moisture, pests, and time. It completely eliminates the need for foundation materials like concrete, decking, or blocks! Just set it on the ground, hook it up, fill and use...installation has never been easier and your floor will last forever in any conditions. In addition, your portable spa is now truly portable. If you move spa locations in your yard or if you move across town, the foundation comes with you."

[Summitman]

Well compared to the giants (Jacuzzi Hot Springs Sundance ) Artic does seem like a small company.  
Small is not always a bad thing.  I'm more impresses when you mix size  with longevity.

For the record I look at every brand that shows up at the Aqua show or the N.S.P.I. show (or what ever they call it now) and yes i have looked at Artic several times

Probably smaller than the mentioned, but Arctics/Coyotes are sold worldwide in  many countries.  Arctics presence will continue to get stronger and stronger each year, expect their US presence to be  much larger starting in 2008.  

[Micah]

How long has this "new" floor been around? How long has Artic been building spas?

[Summitman]

How long has this "new" floor been around? How long has Artic been building spas?

I can say that the floor has held up nicely here in Kansas.  Ive been selling it on all of our spas since 2002.  Small time frame I know, but you cant get much more of a fluctuation of a climate than Kansas.  We have sold the arctic line since 98, they have been building since the early 90's.  I suppose you'll be like the HS clan and come up with some graph about why you had to be building spas in the 70's to be making a good spa.

[East_TX_Spa]

What in the world is so wrong with wood?

I have several customers that own HotSpring Spas that are a quarter of a century old or more that are made out of wood.  They just keep on going...and going...and going.

It is somewhat frustrating that we build such durable spas.  I'll be an old man by the time my existing customers are ready for a new one.

Term

[East_TX_Spa]

I suppose you'll be like the HS clan and come up with some graph about why you had to be building spas in the 70's to be making a good spa.

Where is this graph posted?

If you're referring to my piece o' the pie chart, your 70's guess is pretty dang close.  That's per year, by the way.  In thousands, just to be clear.

And it would also be safe to say, and I'm sure you would agree, they are VERY good spas.

Terminator

[Summitman]

Where is this graph posted?

If you're referring to my piece o' the pie chart, your 70's guess is pretty dang close.  That's per year, by the way.  In thousands, just to be clear.

And it would also be safe to say, and I'm sure you would agree, they are VERY good spas.

Terminator

Not disagreeing with you that they are very good spas, they have to be to be in business that long.  I just dont think they are superior to the Arctic Spa line.  



"What in the world is so wrong with wood?
 
I have several customers that own HotSpring Spas that are a quarter of a century old or more that are made out of wood.  They just keep on going...and going...and going.
 
It is somewhat frustrating that we build such durable spas.  I'll be an old man by the time my existing customers are ready for a new one.
 
Term "

Wood works just fine, and it obviously works fine for Watkins, and if your not going to move your spa and you dont mind putting the work into preparing a slab or base for the spa then nothing wrong whatsoever with a wood base.  The Forever Floor (IMO) is just a better way of building a spa thats all.  Surely you can admit that Term.

[wewannahottub]

Hey, Arctic guys, about the Arctics, they have a line of spas from Coyote--Could we talk about them??  How do they compare to Arctics in regards to warranty/workmanship/price...?  The Chieftain looks pretty cool, except that other than the 2 massage seats, there aren't much other seating choices with alot of jets?? :question :question :question

Thanx--WWHT

[Steve]

Not disagreeing with you that they are very good spas, they have to be to be in business that long.  I just dont think they are superior to the Arctic Spa line.  



"What in the world is so wrong with wood?
 
I have several customers that own HotSpring Spas that are a quarter of a century old or more that are made out of wood.  They just keep on going...and going...and going.
 
It is somewhat frustrating that we build such durable spas.  I'll be an old man by the time my existing customers are ready for a new one.
 
Term "

Wood works just fine, and it obviously works fine for Watkins, and if your not going to move your spa and you dont mind putting the work into preparing a slab or base for the spa then nothing wrong whatsoever with a wood base.  The Forever Floor (IMO) is just a better way of building a spa thats all.  Surely you can admit that Term.

Pressure treated wood, when constructed properly to distribute the weight evenly on the base of the tub, is designed to outlast the spa itself so the debate is somewhat moot don't you think? In the thousands of Beachcomber spas we sold, we instructed our customers to put the spa on ANY flat, level surface.

In no way did it require a concrete base and in fact, I never recommended a concrete base as concrete is a conductor of cold, can crack and is expensive. A proper wood structure can sit on greaa, sand, gravel and the warranty still applies on a Beachcomber spa. Other spas I imagine could do this as mentioned.

The "marketing" behind ABS floors (or the Forever floor) is outstanding and makes a great story! It's the reason other spas have followed suit. I did in turn, increase the overall cost to consumer though...

[Summitman]

Hey, Arctic guys, about the Arctics, they have a line of spas from Coyote--Could we talk about them??  How do they compare to Arctics in regards to warranty/workmanship/price...?  The Chieftain looks pretty cool, except that other than the 2 massage seats, there aren't much other seating choices with alot of jets?? :question :question :question

Thanx--WWHT

Pricing is comparable with a slight downtick.  Great workmanship, the warranty would be 3 years instead of 5 years.  They have the same insulation system as the Arctic Spa, same pumps, same heaters, same control packs, same hosing, it also comes with the Castcore Cover.  It has also has the option of adding all the bling (stereos, multicolored led lighting, etc.)  The main difference would be it doesnt have the Forever Floor.  Instead it comes with Rubber4xFloor, which is a tough, sealed, rubber exterior thats impervious to moisture, pests, and time.  No need to pour a concrete base.  Just needs to be on firm level ground.  They also have several options as far as the exterior cabinet.  You will have to check those out online or at your local dealer.  I know what you mean, I really like the seating arrangement of the Chieftain.  Great spa.

[hottubdan]

I get the impression that the Arctic competitive advantage is the Forever Floor.  Frankly I don't think customers buy a spa because of the base.

[Summitman]

I get the impression that the Arctic competitive advantage is the Forever Floor.  Frankly I don't think customers buy a spa because of the base.

no its STARTS with the floor.

[Summitman]

I get the impression that the Arctic competitive advantage is the Forever Floor.  Frankly I don't think customers buy a spa because of the base.

There are lots of things that can be shown to those that have open minds that show why Arctic builds a helluva spa.

[Summitman]

I get the impression that the Arctic competitive advantage is the Forever Floor.  Frankly I don't think customers buy a spa because of the base.

you would be surprised, I have traded in lots of spas for this very reason.  Nothing like opening up your cabinet here to a rotted out floor that has invited every critter in the neighborhood over for a spa party!

[wewannahottub]

 I know what you mean, I really like the seating arrangement of the Chieftain.  Great spa.

The seating is very similiar to the D1 Amore bay, with 2 huge seats and some other smaller barriered seating.  I know our dealer has Coyotes, I think they had a Renegade, but it's been a while, it could have been a Chieftain.  But, the 3 year warranty leaves that as a Tub I wouldn't want to purchase.

Still looking at the Tundra, though, and waiting to hear from my dealer.

Hoping I am not getting my hopes up too high, since it's the ""top o' the line"

Thanks--Chrisi