Help Deciding replace liner or whole pool?

[JohnT]

My thinking is you aren't going to get a pool that is near the quality of the Doughboy for $1300.

Have you considered just using hard PVC underground to connect your existing skimmers and returns while moving the pump and filter away from the pool? As long as you don't change the elevation, there shouldn't be any problem, and often the skimmer location is chosen to perform best with the prevailing winds. The only downside to this is the trenching required and the slight extra effort of blowing the lines out to winterize. The trenching doesn't have to be very deep since the lines will be winterized. You could even leave them on the surface if the deck will cover them.

[wmshay6]

Thanks for your thoughts John:

I'm not trying to be obstinate here, just trying to learn:

Why do you say the Doughboy is a better pool? Both pools would be rolled galvanized steel and the structure seems similar in material and form.

On the skimmer, I suspect that it was located to minimize the electrical run for the pump. The previous owner was cheap. When you say they are located based on prevailing winds, should the winds blow towards the skimmer or away from it? I suspect towards so that it would catch more debris, but who knows. . ..

[posguy]

I would think a reg old 48" liner would stretch to 54" in the middle if it is a saucer shape. You could get some more sand in there to shape it if you want to replace the liner inexpensively. When I had my 24' above ground installed 10 yrs ago, the installers said they could "saucer" the bottom up to 12", and the liner would stretch without a problem, although I only chose 6".

I dont have a doughboy so cant comment on its quality, but I bought a "middle of the road" pool 10 yrs ago and it is still in great shape.
If you definately want to move it, go new.

[wmshay6]

Thanks POSGuy, So you're saying you have a regular ol' liner and the installers installed it in a saucer shape in your pool? That is what I have, essentially a big bowl. 48" at the walls and 54" in the middle. (6" deeper in the middle- sounds like what you have).

Tried to send an e-mail to you, but the forum won't let me, if you'd be willing to answer some more questions from me, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks!

[posguy]

Yes, I have a 52" pool with a 6" saucer. I replaced my liner a year or 2 ago myself. It wasnt as easy as everyone makes it sound (or maybe its me), but I did it with no wrinkles, if anything, the saucer made it easier to remove the wrinkles.