Polymer Pool Bottom: Contour or Square- advantages?

[webfeet]

I am looking at the 20'6" x 40'6" grecian (octagan) shape polymer wall pools. hydrapools.com has the dig diagrams, but I don't understand them. Of the two type pool bottoms that I am considering, the square hopper bottom looks like its a straight vertical drop from the deep end of the pool to the 8' bottom. Is this possible with a liner pool? I thought they all angled toward the middle of the pool at the deep end, with no sheer 8' drops from the deck.
On the other hand, the contour bottom style looks like it has a smaller hopper and the sides seem to angle toward the middle of the pool. What are pros and cons of each?
Thanks, Webfeet

[hoffmans]

My question exactly !
I hope someone is kind enough to quick reply w/ some info.

~Thanks
Hoffmans

[webfeet]

I called the Hydra Pool manufacturer about this, and was told that the bottom was mainly a builder's preference. Some do more of one or the other. According to Hydra, we will not notice any pros or cons with either bottom. I am wondering if anyone disagrees?

[Waterworks]

If you could post a link to the actual drawings that would help. I can't get anything to come up at hydrapools.com

Brad

[webfeet]

http://www.hydrapools.com/download/digbooks.php

The two bottoms that I am comparing are the 40'6 x20'6 grecian square bottom and the same pool w/ the contour bottom. You have to pick each one individually from the list on the page that I pasted above. What you will view is the dig diagram of each type. Thanks, Webfeet

[goosegunner]

I looked at the drawings you are talking about. They do not have a straight 8' drop. They have the angled hoper like other vinyl pools.

If you look at the small drawings it shows the angles.

gg

[webfeet]

GG, now I see that neither style have a sheer drop. However, I still don't know if one is more desirable than the other for a particular application. I finally called Hydra, and they say there is no noticable difference to the swimmer. I was just wondering if any vinyl pool owners or pool installers had any insight. Thanks.

[hsdancer]

I hesitated to reply since I'm not an expert, but I do know that when we put in our vermiculite/cement sides and bottom, the angle on the walls and hopper sides made it easier to to lay down the mixture. The mixture has to be just the right consistency, and it has to go down pretty quickly or else it won't adhere to the dirt base or it will just slide down.

The straighter the walls, the more gravity will pull down the vermiculite/cement mixture, the harder for it to stay where the installer puts it.

We have a 10.5' deep end, and the angles are fine. Jo

[hoffmans]

Well hsdancer- I am glad you did reply. Your post was very helpful to us. We plan on doing our inground vinyl ourselves except the dig. I am trying to gather all the helpful info I can. Do you have a post here where you are talking about your install or have before/install/after pics?
Thanks again.

Webfeet-
Did you look at www.nationalpoolwholesalers.com ?They have the same pools that are on the Hydra website & other inground kit websites. They promise to match and beat any other prices you can find. I have been to tons of websites and have not found a better price. AND... if you look off to the left of the screen you will see a plam tree logo and info stating that they are having a EXTRA sale on the kits- Take an addtional 22% off the prices that are listed !! That means we can up grade from a 20x40 to a True L for just a few bucks more. Also if you don't see the pool you want -just call them and tell them and they will custome it out for you. We have not ordered the pool yet but we did order the video and info packets (just waiting for them to come in the mail).
Something I didn't realize - anything on that website that is blue can be clicked on.

~Hoffmans

[webfeet]

I checked the website and they actually have a better pool than what I am looking at. I am looking at the Hydra-not Hydra Pinnacle. The Pinnacle has better bracing 28" instead of 24" and thicker walls (1/16th). The price was super, but we can't install ourselves- would never attempt. So, we are stuck with a PC. He did not offer us the Pinnacle. I will mention the Pinnacle and see what he says. He wants 21,995.00 to install grecian 20'6" x 40'6". This includes all basic equipment: 1hp hayward superpump, 300#sand filter, light, saftey rope, 8' steps, 2 skimmers, main drain, and diving board with 5' concrete deck around the pool. We are adding a few other things, mainly the Cozy Cove spa, upgrading to 1.5 hp pump dual speed super II (hayward) and 500# filter. Still negotiating the upgraded plumbing we may need/want. We are at about $26,000. I wish we could install it, we could save so much! Webfeet