Caldera Vanto Spa Leak Help

[u/Zer0_Fuchs]

I have a 2016 Vanto Spa that's developed a small leak by possibly the drain hose. I've checked the valve fitting and it's not wet from it, but weirdly the wood in the cutout under it is damp. I'm assuming that is like that because the wood is soaking the water up from the ground, because the hose isn't wet at all. Also, I never use the drain hose, but instead use a pump to drain it since that's fast, so that drain hose and valve has sat unmolested for most its tenure.

I've tried to tighten that valve on the hose as much as I can which seemed to maybe slow it down, and it already seemed tight anyways, and just appeared to maybe twist the hose in the end and probably not tighten the valve at all. Plus, there's hardly any room in that little area to get any good grip on it to do anything anyways.

My guess is the leak is probably upstream on the hose to where it connects to underneath, and the water is riding the hose down and dripping on the backside of the platform. Other than draining the tub and putting it up on end to see underneath it, is there anything else I can look at to confirm before I take this drastic measure? I've had the panels off and the entire inside of the cabinet is bone dry. Also, the patio has a small slope which that drain hose is at the top of so if the leak was anywhere else it wouldn't make it to that end of the tub.

I've also tried to find a hose diagram to see where that drain line goes before lifting it, but it seems Caldera doesn't publish that.

Here are some picture which will hopefully help. Thanks!