If you’re in the market for swimming lane lines, you’re probably also considering lane line storage reels. After all, you need a place to store your lane lines safely, keep them from getting tangled, and prevent damage.
That’s where lane line storage reels come into play. These essential pieces of equipment provide easy, mobile storage and installation of racing lanes. But to answer your question, no — lane line storage reels are not all created equal. There are a few differences to consider when deciding when storage reels to purchase.
Weight and Capacity
One of the most noticeable differences between lane line storage reels is the weight. The higher the weight, the more heavy duty the storage reel is. That means greater capacity for holding racing lanes. For example, a storage reel with a maximum weight of 199 pounds can hold 902 feet of 4-inch lanes and 492 feet of 6-inch lanes. In comparison, a storage reel with a max weight of 125 pounds holds 525 feet of 4-inch lanes and 300 feet of 6-inch lanes.
If you have a huge amount or length of racing lanes, it’s smart to go with the storage reels with larger weight and capacity. How do you determine the length of your swim lane lines? Measure the distance between the end walls of your pool (course length). Do not include gutters in measuring for your swim lane line. A long course is typically 50 meters. A short course is 25 yards (U.S.) or 25 meters (U.S. and International).
Quality of Materials
Basic storage reels are usually made with molded end-wheels and powder-coated aluminum frames. This will get the job done for a basic racing lane pool. For larger venues with more swim lane lines, upgrading to higher quality materials is a smart option, especially if durability and longevity are important to you.
An aluminum core, aluminum end wheels, and stainless steel hardware will stand up to wear and tear better than the basic materials. Because of the improved strength of the materials, these upgraded storage reels can withstand a greater lane line capacity than basic ones.
Size
Of course, the size of racing lane storage reels vary. Larger sizes usually correlate with heavier weight and greater capacity. For example, our Elite Stor Reel™ product dimensions are 83”x60”x71” with a swim lane line capacity of 902 feet of 4-inch lanes and 492 feet of 6-inch lanes. On the other hand, our Classic Stor Lane Reel™ has dimensions of 70” x 46” x 58 and holds 525 feet of 4-inch lanes and 300 feet of 6-inch lanes.
Just make sure you have enough space for your storage reels when deciding which size to get. The larger the dimensions, weight and capacity, the more space it will take up in your pool area or storage room. Keep this in mind as you browse different options.
Not All Lane Line Storage Reels are Created Equal
There’s no one-size-fits all for racing lane line storage reels. There are different sizes, weights, and capacities of these lane line storage products. Also, the quality of the materials used on the storage reels can vary, too — affecting durability, ease of use, and longevity. Pay attention to the differences between your storage reel options before making a purchase, and reach out to us if you have questions.
Learn More About Swimming Lane Lines from Competitor Swim
Competitor Swim® offers a variety of options for swimming lane line storage reels. Our products are custom built by hand with pride, passion, and expertise. Every Competitor Swim® Racing Lanes is manufactured and assembled in the USA and customized for your specific needs. Contact us to learn more.
