Okay, here's the deal. I currently have a Hot Springs Grandee spa (1998). I have experienced somthing called "crazing" (sp) on the top and sides of the tub. Several of the small "crazing" cracks have opend to large cracks and the tub is starting to leak. (not from the cracks but from other places)

I contacted Watkins MFG regarding the problem and they tell me crazing is a "natural part of the tubs aging."

This didn't sound right to me so I contacted my local dealer (I'm way out of warranty) to see what they could/would do. They contacted Watkins and will sell me a new Grandee for $7000.

I guess I'm a bit concerned the new tub will do the same thing again.

Has anyone else had this problem with their Hot Springs spa?

I'm considering a Cal Spa as a replacement if I could get them to match the Hot Springs price on a comp. spa.

Thanks for any advice/input!

any well made spa of such a young age will never have any shell problems - your warranty on spa shell and surface warranty period if you are the original purchaser is 7 years. http://www.hotspring.com/Spas_Built_Last/warranty.html

i have a 95 Sundance Marin and would be disgusted if the shell failed, and even more so if Sundance told me that it was normal - what a load of crap from HS ! If this is their official lifespan expectation, I would strongly warn everyone off purchasing from them - all other manufacturers i have dealt with would never suggest its normal.
I'd certainy demand a replacement spa (warranty or not) if you are the original owner - that attitude is disgraceful.

That is exceptionally rare... Are you sure it's a 1998? Hot Springs had some crack issues in 1994 and 1995 when they were switched shell material from Rovel to Endural, but repair kits are readily available to fix any of those cracks (70998). Is there anything unusual in the installation, is the spa encased in a concrete deck?