BFA8 / Euphoria / Pelican Bay

[jjackkrash]

I am looking hard at the above three tubs.  I have room for a 10x9 pad and its framed and ready to pour.  I'd like to maximize this space.

The CFO and my boy dry tested the BFA8 and really liked it and the features.  We can wet test this week.  I like the the local dealer who is both very close to my house and currently is at my local Costco doing a 10 day road show.  If I go through this dealer and Costco this week I can get this tub loaded with every option (but not stereo which I don't want) including the new ozone system and delivered to my back yard, plus 4 percent cash back from my costco visa and Costco card (which will also extend extend the 5-year warranty to 7 years).  Pretax this will cost $11.5.  But many of these perks disappear next week and the non-costco price they quoted me a few weeks ago was about $1500 more.  I am tempted to just pull the trigger.

But I have also been looking at the Artesian Pelican Bay and Marquis Euphoria (probably with Micro Silk) online and have talked to the local dealers by telephone.  But I won't have time to visit these dealers before the A8 Costco deal dries up as they are both about 2 hours away and work is pretty crazy. 

The Pelican Bay is bigger and seems to be a little higher end feature wise than the A8, but its also significantly more expensive.  The Euphoria also seems a little higher end feature wise, and has the micro silk (which I understand is pretty cool but lacks science to back up healing claims), but it is a little smaller and slightly more expensive. 

I guess my question is, is there anything significant about the Artesian Pelican Bay or the Marquis Euphoria that I would kick myself later if I at least did not go give them a look.  The 5 pumps and bigger size of the Pelican Bay seem like a big plus, but I am not sure giving up the deal on the BFA8 at costco makes sense in the hopes I like it that much more given the significant upcharge.   I am also really curious about the micro silk.

Any thoughts would be appreciated, even pitches from interested brand reps or dealers. 

[Sam]

I'm not sold on microsilk personally.  The Pelican Bay is an incredible spa.  Every single seat has it's own pump and controls.  The jets are powerful.  It's super comfortable.  Looks great.  Probably my favorite spa.  I like the A8 as well, but personally lean toward the Pelican.  Obviously the price is a consideration and should be at least a couple of grand more.

[jjackkrash]

Sam, I suspect after some haggling its going to be about a $4.5k difference.  I can swing it, but its still a pretty good chunk of change.  I might try and figure out a way to get up there during the week and at least my eyes on one of the p. elite models and see what I can really negotiate price wise.  I think they have one of the smaller models in that p. elite line to wet test, but no PB's in stock.   

[MarKee]

Just a note on the MicroSilk..at first I thought it was pretty far-fetched, but I have seen amazing results first hand on customers and co-workers who soak in it. I’ve seen it eliminate psoriasis and other skin conditions.  I will definitely buy it on my next hot tub.

[jjackkrash]

It looks like the Bullfrog shell is not self-supporting and is supported by the frame structure, which I have read is not desirable.  Is this a real issue given the lifetime warranty on the structure? 

[Sam]

It looks like the Bullfrog shell is not self-supporting and is supported by the frame structure, which I have read is not desirable.  Is this a real issue given the lifetime warranty on the structure?

It's b.s.  Bullfrog's shell design is perfectly fine and will very likely not be the reason you replace it many years down the road.  There are a variety of ways to build a shell and when done properly, any of them will last decades.

[jjackkrash]

Its interesting to me that the A8 has only 10 gallons less capacity than the Pelican Bay; the Marquis is smaller by 140 gallons. 

[d00nut]

Its interesting to me that the A8 has only 10 gallons less capacity than the Pelican Bay; the Marquis is smaller by 140 gallons.

I'm fairly convinced that no manufacturers know how to measure how many gallons actually go into the hot tub.  They seem all over the place.

That being said.  Go with how big it feels on the inside.  A lot of gallons can still feel small.

[jjackkrash]

It seems like they'd need to get the gallons right to get the weight right, which is important if the tub is going on a roof or on a deck, for example. 

[Spatech_tuo]

Its interesting to me that the A8 has only 10 gallons less capacity than the Pelican Bay; the Marquis is smaller by 140 gallons.

I'm fairly convinced that no manufacturers know how to measure how many gallons actually go into the hot tub.  They seem all over the place.

That being said.  Go with how big it feels on the inside.  A lot of gallons can still feel small.

Its measured by the same group in the company that decides how many people can fit in the spa.

[HT34]

Its interesting to me that the A8 has only 10 gallons less capacity than the Pelican Bay; the Marquis is smaller by 140 gallons.

I'm fairly convinced that no manufacturers know how to measure how many gallons actually go into the hot tub.  They seem all over the place.

That being said.  Go with how big it feels on the inside.  A lot of gallons can still feel small.

Its measured by the same group in the company that decides how many people can fit in the spa.

lol...so true, so true.  Those numbers are so crazy!

[The Wizard of Spas]

The main thing about the Pelican Bay is the DirectFlo.  That is a pretty neat feature.  The DirectFlo allows you to increase/decrease pressure vs just having a high, low speed motor, or using the air control knobs, or by turning the jet closed or open.  And the motor is right there, so you can just have your motor on in your seat, at the pressure you desire, and as adjustable as you can find in this industry.  Not to say there are not other differences in the Pelican Bay, but that is the one thing I'd zero in on.

The Euphoria, like most Marquis in that line, have really nifty ergonomics.  HOT Zones are pretty slick too-  That focuses the flow of water into the 2 zones- Upper back, lower back, and feet/legs.  Super cool. 

While I have sold these two brands, I have not sold Bullfrog and don't feel qualified to speak on them. 

I do know that a deal is a deal and timing is a lot, but if you're not totally sold on the Bullfrog, I'd get to the other 2 places and at least dry test and see what is up with them.  After all, this is a lot of money and fairs/sales are designed to get you to react, not think.   However, if you like the Bullfrog, your dealer is reputable, and you're comfortable in the tub, that is hard to pass up.

I hope this helps.  Good luck moving forward.

[jjackkrash]

On the Bullfrog, I went in after work to get some clarifications on what was included, and the only thing it did not have that I might want that I could see is a 24 hr circ. pump and an upgraded hydraulic cover lift (different from the regular cover lift) which I believe is a CoverMate III.  I can add both these and still be right at $12k, pretax.  Seems like a no-brainer if I go this route, or is there any reason to not get the circ. pump?  (It already comes with the new EOS enhanced O3 system at then quoted price). 

[HT34]

IMO, i would save a little and leave out the hydraulic lift.  It just adds to the possibility of more things going wrong.  However, the circ pump is something that you would probably want.  It is a debate item, but at that price, might as well add it!  Best of luck with your purchase.

[Spatech_tuo]

IMO, i would save a little and leave out the hydraulic lift.  It just adds to the possibility of more things going wrong.  However, the circ pump is something that you would probably want.  It is a debate item, but at that price, might as well add it!  Best of luck with your purchase.

The hydraulic lift really makes sense to me in certain circumstances. My wife would not have been ok without it on our spa for 2 reasons, she is 5'2" (if I round up) & 120 lbs and our spa was large so the hydraulic lift made it MUCH easier for her to open/close the cover. If the spa isn't too big and the users are fairly sturdy (not sure how else to say that) then I might skip it. It can also block a view if it opens in a direction you want to look at. Otherwise I'd recommend it and a circ pump.