Check out this link to build your own solar reel that is easy to operate for one person and is light enough to just roll up the cover and remove from the pool.
DIY Solar Cover Roller | Trouble Free Pool
I cut my solar cover into two pieces, and used two reels. It cost me less than $50 to make. I used two for several reasons:
1) Less weight for each rolled up piece. It's light enough that my wife can easily roll these up and remove them.
2) I have a free form pool. Having a single piece would not have worked well for rolling up the cover. 2 pieces works great.
It's also easy to put back on. Just drop the reel onto the pool, and unroll. It goes out very easily with no folding or pulling required.
I'm in my 4th year with these reels and they are still working great! I buy the cheapest solar cover I can. The difference between the $200 cover and the $60 cover is only in thickness. They will both last about the same amount of time as it's the sun and chlorine that destroy them within 2 years here in Florida. The thinner cover is much easier to roll up and is considerably lighter. I track everything in a spreadsheet (I'm an engineer...
), and the thinner cover retains the same temp (within 1 degree) overnight as the thicker, more expensive cover.
You need to use DWV pipe. PVC will sink in water, DWV will float. Only place I found it was at Ace Hardware in Wildwood.