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I'm late to the party and have no suggestions for your situation. I am, however, amazed that your wife can tolerate (nay, enjoy!) such high temperatures. We are in western New York, too, up on Lake Ontario, and we keep our outdoor tub at 100 or 101F, even when the temps are in the teens. I just don't like the water that much hotter because then I can't stay in there, and what's the point of running this hot tub if I can't have a nice long soak? I will say that our hot tub gets so hot during the summer (it's in direct sun all day) that we no longer run it in July and August. Time to fill it up soon!
A thought: are these other tubs you've been testing out fully insulated on all five sides? Ours is a Beachcomber, with the motor OUTSIDE the tub (it's in the step platform), so we have insulation on all four walls plus the floor, and the temperature drops very slowly when the cover is off. Great water circulation and temperature retention. I wonder if these other tubs have even temperatures throughout or are hot just near the thermostat/heater.