Gotta love Craigslist

[dreadnut]

Har har har. Yeah, I'll come right over and pick that up. Can't imagine why it doesn't work...

https://grandrapids.craigslist.org/zip/d/moline-free-hot-tub/7504854564.html

 

[walrus]

Yikes!



walrus

 

[HeyMikey]

Well you know what they say…
One man’s trash is another man’s, well, trash.

 

[Midnight Toker]

Actually, those things are pretty easy to fix. As long as the fiberglass shell is in good shape, a replacement insulated cover /water pump, and heater might be your biggest expense. Pressure wash, sand, and teak oil the wood....and some basic electrical/pvc plumbing experience....and you could have a good clean working hot tub for around $1000. IMO, much better than spending $5k for a new one.

I'd wager the original owner simply neglected it. Didn't winterize it AND didn't run it all winter. In a Michigan winter, that's a hot tub death sentence. (Snow caved in the cover as well) Still, the most expensive thing is the shell. Every thing else is a typical maintenence/replacement part issue.

 

[The Guilds of Grot]

Still, the most expensive thing is the shell. Every thing else is a typical maintenence/replacement part issue.

The shell looks like it could be cleaned up!

Build a new frame, buy a new cover and pump, you're good to go!

 

[Midnight Toker]

The shell looks like it could be cleaned up!

Build a new frame, buy a new cover and pump, you're good to go!

Even the frame just looks like it needs some TLC. Replacing cedar plank or any hardwood will cost an arm and a leg right now. I see more sun fade greying and algae buildup than any actual rot. I've seen old Chris-Craft boats and wood deck day sailers in MUCH worse shape brought back to a like-new finish.

 

[Uke]

Nah, that's not the result of winter neglect -- just the result of a previous night's party that got a little out of hand.

 

[Stagefright]

I've fixed/cleaned some nasty things over the years, but those days are over. Ambition is a dangerous thing.

 

[Teleguy61]

If only I could get it in my Prius......

 

[Midnight Toker]

If only I could get it in my Prius......

Your Prius might fit inside it!!

 

[dreadnut]

"Didn't winterize it AND didn't run it all winter. In a Michigan winter, that's a hot tub death sentence."

Amen, brother. We've had our hot tub for 20 years now, hard to believe, we run it hot in the winter and cool in the summer. Nothing like hot tubbing in the snow!

 

[dreadnut]

By the way, it's a "Nordic" spa, locally built. What can you say about a hot tub that's still going strong after 20 years with only a few minor repairs?

 

[wileypickett]

Bring your bathing suit -- you'll certianly want to try it out first.

 

[MartyG]

We have a small 2-person triangular shaped tub. Sundance Tacoma. Bought it in 2006. It's been running 24/7 since then. Replaced the motor under warranty when it started making some noise after five years. I replaced the control panel (plugs in like a phone jack) about five years ago, and put new seals on both ends of the heater tube at the same time (a five minute job). We use it every day. Rain or snow - it's tucked in under a roofed deck with a door two steps away. Even though we have absolute privacy in this location. I set up outdoor curtains on the three exposed sides that helps if it's breezy in Winter. We can sit and watch the bird feeders in the morning, and a glass or two of wine at night ends the day in a nice way. Plugs into an outdoor 110v outlet. We keep it at 100 degrees year round, give or take a degree or two. I drain and refill at the turn of every season. I do buy a new cover every four years - they get waterlogged. I wouldn't want a bigger tub - even if it was free. Ours is like this one.

Marty

 

[Stagefright]

Bring your bathing suit -- you'll certianly want to try it out first.

I told my college age kids that I didn't like hot tubs because everyone was expected to be naked. Must be those 1980's flashbacks again.

 

[HeyMikey]

I would just turn it into a Hot Tub Time Machine and let the mayhem commence.

 

[Neal]

I sold mine. I got tired of fishing chicken bones out of it after parties.

 

[Midnight Toker]

Craziest hot tub I've ever been in was at a private festival in Girdwood Alaska (the band I was road mgr for was flown out to play there back in the mid 90's. It was a crazy hippy fest for a couple hundred people. They had mushroom smoothie machines....if that tells you anything. This "hot tub" could sit upwards of 60 people. It was an aluminum trailer of an 18 wheel tanker truck someone had torch cut in 1/2 longways. They lined the bottom w/ pallets and built a row of wooden benches down the length of both sides. (Plus a walk deck on the top of one side w/ steps to the ground) They tapped in a big water pump on one end that went through a filtration system and fed back through the opposite end. The kicker though.....the heater.....two bonfire sized fire pits underneath the damn thing!! Rogue as can be, and it was....amazing!! Only wish I had taken pictures.

 

[Opsimath]

Craziest hot tub I've ever been in was at a private festival in Girdwood Alaska (the band I was road mgr for was flown out to play there back in the mid 90's. It was a crazy hippy fest for a couple hundred people. They had mushroom smoothie machines....if that tells you anything. This "hot tub" could sit upwards of 60 people. It was an aluminum trailer of an 18 wheel tanker truck someone had torch cut in 1/2 longways. They lined the bottom w/ pallets and built a row of wooden benches down the length of both sides. (Plus a walk deck on the top of one side w/ steps to the ground) They tapped in a big water pump on one end that went through a filtration system and fed back through the opposite end. The kicker though.....the heater.....two bonfire sized fire pits underneath the damn thing!! Rogue as can be, and it was....amazing!! Only wish I had taken pictures.

I wish you had taken pictures, too.

Sounds like someone was quite the competent DIY'er.

 

[FNG]

Hmmmmm...people soup.