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You're certainly getting information overload IMO because some of the things you're being told are crazy. The idea that someone is telling you that you can't sit on the side of one brand is salesmanship. As you note, that’s where the most support is. The fact one dealer says he ""does NOT recommend salt water systems period" might just have something to do with him selling against the competition that has it. The idea that cold has anything to do with a failed pump or a shell crack is off base too, those are not weather related.Several manufactures do not recommend salt systems but I see your point. Always good to read the manufactures warranty and no believe everything a sales guy says.Weather does play into the equation on cracked shells but it is typically hot direct heat not cold. Also cold can affect pumps, if the spa is running nothing to worry about but is drained and you live in a very cold climate the grease on bearings will/can solidify and cause premature bearing wear.
... The crack repair is definately very visible in this case. I really don't care so much about that as I do about how well it'll hold in the long term...
Thanks also for the thoughts on the used Grandee. The crack repair is definately very visible in this case. I really don't care so much about that as I do about how well it'll hold in the long term.
I'll need to dive deeper into the cracked shell issue. Another Hot Spring "feature" that I am not so excited about is having to clean and replace 5 filters at $65 dollars each every year or two.
I would think every 2 or 3 years would be sufficient. Regardless of the frequency, is it true that the Hot Spring Vanguard requires 5 filters as opposed to 1 in the Beachcomber 720X? If so, the overall cost would likely be 5 times higher wouldn't it? Probably should not be the determining factor, but certainly something to take into consideration!