Quote Originally Posted by bbb
I chols a Horizon HV 2000 reel for my pool specifically because it is tall enough to fit OVER my low profile diving board. The reel fits perfectly over my diving board even with the entire 20x40 solar cover rolled up on it. The only negatives to that reel are that it does sag a little in the middle when fully loaded (the manual says that can be solved by drilling extra screws into the post, but I haven't bothered), and that it is a bear to install the first day (well over 20 self-drilling screws without any pre-drilled holes). Totally worth it though.
Yeah, I looked at one of those reels ( don't know if it was brand though); but when i measured it it was only about an inch 'n a half + above my board..
( I'm sure my old low-profile board is so old that it's not very low-profile compared to the newer boards).
Anyway, I figured that with the blanket being so long ( & bulky because i have to fold part of it in-half), that I just didn't have the clearance to use one of those reels.
I think that maybe a good invention would be a reel that sort of works like a sardine can roller... goes along the edge of the deck & stores under a low-profile diving board; well, it might work

I agree about the drilling holes part. what a huge PITA!
my directions were basically nil. I was trying to do the install in the dark. I doubt that I was using a proper metal drill-bit ( I suspect that it was actually a wood-bit). I've never taken industrial arts ( & so have limited experience using power tools)... I learned very quickly that drilling in to a round tube that is esentially free-floating, is extreamly difficult to do with acuracy for someone so inexperienced...