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12-30-2005, 02:02 PM
I used to make my own net systems because I wanted steel cables top and bottom for the best net play. They had to have guy wires to support the weight and keep tension. But when players kept getting into the net and tearing them out of the sand, resulting in play stoppage to reset the net, I needed something that would stay up.
I checked into the Cobra(at that time it was sold through Eberhardt Enterprises, which then sold off to Les Decker). Yes the nets are rope top and are held up by tension giving a very springy net play, but it can't be torn down in aggressive play. You can actually grab the top of the net and pull it to the ground and it will spring right back up and be playable still.
When you have 80 teams on 16 courts running timed games, you can not have courts down do to net failure. And the ease of setting that many courts up at once can't be beat. As long as all nets are set up the same, your players will not complain.
It does take a shorthandle sledge hammer to set the spikes, but once you have it, there is no other cost. Just keep it inside one of your net bags.
Troy - If you need more tension on the net, simply tie more thin ropes at 1/3 and 2/3 up the net on both ends and tie them taught to the poles, or try midweight bungee cords. Minimal weight is added and still no need for guy wires. If you need to lower the net an inch or so, use the lower bungee cords that come with the system and go twice around the pole at a lower spot. It will pull down on the entire net and gauge it to the height you want.
Hope that helps everyone out. |