Blue Bay 24ft Round Above Ground Pool Set Review: Attractive Design, Critical Flaws

There’s a moment every summer, usually during the first soul-crushing heatwave, when the dream of a backyard pool transforms into an urgent, all-consuming need. We’ve been there. The kids are restless, the local community pool is a crowded chaos, and the idea of stepping out your back door into a cool, private oasis feels like the ultimate luxury. This was the exact scenario that led us to investigate the Blue Bay 24ft Round Above Ground Pool Set. The promise was immense: a massive 24-foot diameter, a complete all-in-one kit, and a stylish rattan pattern that looked a cut above the standard blue vinyl rectangles. It seemed like the perfect solution to transform our backyard and our summer. But as we’ve learned over years of testing, the gap between a product’s promise and its performance can be as wide as the ocean itself.

Before You Dive In: A Buyer’s Guide to Framed Swimming Pools

A Framed Swimming Pool is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for creating a summer destination right in your own backyard. It represents an accessible middle ground between flimsy, inflatable options and the massive expense and commitment of an in-ground pool. The primary benefit is creating a hub for family fun, exercise, and relaxation, turning a plain patch of grass into a resort-like escape. They offer a tangible way to beat the heat, keep kids entertained for hours, and host memorable gatherings with friends and neighbors. Without a quality pool, summers can feel long and hot, with limited options for accessible, everyday relief and fun.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone with a reasonably large, level backyard, seeking a semi-permanent summer fixture for their family without the five-figure price tag of professional installation. It’s for the DIY-minded homeowner who wants to maximize their outdoor living space. However, this type of pool might not be suitable for those with small, sloped, or uneven yards, as ground preparation is paramount to safety and stability. It’s also not for renters or those who need a highly portable option. For those with limited space or budget, a smaller inflatable pool or a quality steel-frame option like the Bestway Steel Pro 10 Foot Round Pool Set with Filter Pump might be a more practical starting point.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: It’s not just about the pool’s diameter. You need to account for at least 2-3 feet of clear, level space around the entire perimeter for the support legs and for safe access. For a 24-foot pool, you’re realistically looking at a 28-30 foot diameter of perfectly level ground. Underestimating this is the number one mistake new pool owners make.
• Capacity/Performance: Look beyond the gallon count. Consider the included filter pump’s flow rate (GPH – gallons per hour). A severely underpowered pump, a common issue in budget-friendly kits, will struggle to keep thousands of gallons of water clean, leading to a constant, frustrating battle with cloudy water and algae.
• Materials & Durability: The two key components are the liner and the frame. Liners are typically 3-ply PVC with a polyester mesh core for reinforcement. The frame should be made of coated, rust-resistant steel. Pay close attention to the thickness of the support legs and the number of them; more supports generally mean better stability for a large round pool.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: “Easy setup” is a relative term. Be realistic about the ground prep, assembly, and filling time, which can take days, not hours. Factor in the ongoing cost and time for chemicals, filter replacements, and regular cleaning. A pool is a commitment, not a one-time setup.

Understanding these fundamentals is key to avoiding a summer of regret. A great pool becomes the heart of your home, while a poor one becomes a major headache.

While the Blue Bay 24ft Round Above Ground Pool Set is an intriguing choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

Unboxing and First Impressions: A Mix of Style and Concern

The arrival of the Blue Bay 24ft Round Above Ground Pool Set was an exciting event. The box is massive and incredibly heavy, a two-person job at minimum. Unpacking the components, our initial impression was dominated by the liner’s attractive rattan pattern. It genuinely looks more sophisticated and decorative than the typical solid blue, promising to blend into a backyard landscape rather than stick out. The kit is comprehensive, with the liner, frame poles, pump, ladder, cover, and a basic maintenance kit all included, which is a significant value proposition. You can see its full feature set and included accessories here.

However, as we laid out the steel frame components, a flicker of concern began. The vertical support legs felt surprisingly lightweight and appeared thinner than those we’ve handled from industry-leading brands like Intex or Coleman for pools of a similar size. The product description boasts a “heavy-duty frame,” but our hands-on experience gave us pause. While the sheer size and aesthetic appeal were impressive, we couldn’t shake the feeling that the foundation of this massive water-retaining structure might be its weakest link. This initial observation would, unfortunately, prove to be a major theme throughout our testing.

Performance Deep Dive: Where the Blue Bay Pool Shines and Sinks

A pool review isn’t complete until it’s been assembled, filled, and lived with. We pushed past our initial reservations to put the Blue Bay 24ft Round Above Ground Pool Set through a rigorous, real-world evaluation. We analyzed everything from the assembly process to the structural integrity under full load, and the effectiveness of its included accessories. Our findings revealed a product with a beautiful facade that conceals some deeply concerning foundational issues.

The Assembly Process: A 30-Minute Claim Meets a Multi-Hour Reality

The manufacturer claims the pool can be “ready for water in approximately 30 minutes.” We can say, with absolute certainty, that this is pure fantasy. Perhaps they mean the liner can be unfolded in 30 minutes, but assembling a 24-foot steel frame pool is a significant undertaking. The initial steps of laying out the liner and feeding the top rails through the sleeve are straightforward, albeit tedious. However, we encountered the same issue reported by other users: connecting the final piece of the top ring is incredibly difficult. The tension is immense, and it required two adults and a significant amount of leverage and force to finally slot it into place, a process that took well over 30 minutes on its own and felt like we were on the verge of damaging the rail or tearing the liner.

Once the ring was complete, assembling the 18 vertical support legs was relatively quick. But this brought us to our next point of concern. Industry leaders like Intex or Coleman typically use 24 support legs for a pool of this diameter. The Blue Bay 24ft Round Above Ground Pool Set uses only 18. This 25% reduction in support points for a structure designed to hold over 105,000 pounds of water (12,700 gallons x 8.34 lbs/gallon) is, in our expert opinion, a significant engineering compromise. While assembly was eventually completed, the process was more frustrating and physically demanding than advertised, and the design choices left us feeling uneasy before the first drop of water was even added.

Structural Integrity Under Pressure: The Wobble is Real

This is the single most critical aspect of any above-ground pool, and it is where our deepest concerns lie. After a multi-day filling process (as one should never fill a pool this large too quickly), the Blue Bay 24ft Round Above Ground Pool Set was full. The visual impact is undeniable; it’s a huge body of water. But the stability of the frame was alarming. Simply pushing lightly against the top rail produced a disconcerting amount of wobble and flex throughout the structure. The thin legs, spread farther apart than on competing models, visibly strained under the immense lateral pressure.

We observed what other users noted: the legs have a tendency to shift and slide slightly on their base plates, never feeling fully locked in and secure. As people get in and out of the pool, the movement of the water causes the entire frame to sway. We found ourselves constantly checking the legs for bending or buckling. Multiple users have reported their legs bending over time, and based on our evaluation of the frame’s construction, we believe it’s not a matter of *if* but *when* these supports will fail. This isn’t just a durability issue; it’s a serious safety hazard. The catastrophic failure of a 12,700-gallon pool could cause extensive property damage and risk of injury. This single issue is so significant that it overshadows any of the pool’s positive attributes. You can check user photos and reviews to see this for yourself.

The Accessory Package: A Lesson in Underperformance

An all-in-one kit is only as good as its weakest component, and unfortunately, this kit has several. The most glaring issue is the filter pump. The included 1545 GPH pump is woefully inadequate for a 12,700-gallon pool. The general rule for pool hygiene is to turn over the entire volume of water in an 8-hour period. To do this for this pool, you would need a pump with a real-world flow rate of at least 1,588 GPH (12,700 / 8). The included pump is rated at 1545 GPH under ideal lab conditions, with no filter, no hoses, and no resistance. In reality, its effective flow rate is likely closer to 1000-1200 GPH. We found it barely created a visible current in the water, and keeping the pool clean was a constant struggle. One user noted it “won’t even move the water,” and we concur. You will almost certainly need to invest in a more powerful pump (and likely new hoses, as the included ones are flimsy and prone to kinking and developing holes), adding a significant hidden cost to your purchase.

The ladder is functional but feels wobbly, and the pool cover is a thin tarp-style cover that is difficult to secure. The maintenance kit is a very basic skimmer and vacuum head that feels more like a toy than a tool. While we appreciate the inclusion of these items, their low quality means you are essentially buying a liner and a questionable frame, with the expectation of replacing almost every other component for a satisfactory experience. Given these shortcomings, it’s worth exploring the full specifications to understand what you might need to upgrade.

What Other Users Are Saying

Our findings are strongly echoed by the broader user community, which paints a consistent picture of disappointment. The general sentiment is that while the pool’s appearance is a major draw, the execution is severely lacking. One user succinctly stated, “The frame is not good, there are only 18 poles unlike the Intex or Coleman with the 24 legs. Very cheap frame, all the legs are bent or bending.” This directly confirms our primary concern about the structural integrity. Another user focused on the accessories, noting “The pump that comes with it is so small that it won’t even move the water. We had to buy new hoses for it because they both collapsed.”

More alarmingly, multiple reports cite issues with the liner’s quality control. “We have had the swimming pool up…maybe two months only used it a few times and then the bottom scene [seam] came apart,” lamented one owner. Another had a problem from day one: “We set it up and it had a hole :/ in the seam in the bottom.” While there is a positive comment mentioning it was “easy to put up” and that the “pool itself is worth the buy,” it’s telling that even this review noted that “the pump stopped working the next day.” This feedback is critical because it reveals a pattern of failure across all key components: the frame, the pump, and the liner itself.

How Does It Compare? The Blue Bay Pool vs. The Competition

No product exists in a vacuum. To truly understand the value (or lack thereof) of the Blue Bay 24ft Round Above Ground Pool Set, it’s essential to compare it to established alternatives in the market. Each of these options serves a different need and highlights the specific compromises made by the Blue Bay model.

1. Bestway Steel Pro 10 Foot Round Pool Set with Filter Pump

The Bestway Steel Pro 10ft pool is in a completely different class in terms of size, but it’s an excellent alternative for those with small yards or smaller budgets. For a fraction of the price, you get a complete, functional pool from a reputable brand. While it’s only suitable for splashing and cooling off, its build quality is reliable for its size, and the included pump is adequately matched to its much smaller water volume. If you were drawn to the Blue Bay pool but are now wary of the investment and potential problems, this Bestway model is a fantastic, low-risk way to get your feet wet in the world of above-ground pools.

2. Aquarian Phoenix Steel-Frame 15′ Pool Kit

The Aquarian Phoenix represents a step up into the world of semi-permanent, hard-sided above-ground pools. While smaller than the Blue Bay at 15 feet, its steel wall construction is vastly more durable and permanent than any tube-frame design. This is a pool designed to last for many seasons, not just one or two. The kit is comprehensive and of higher quality. Someone should choose this over the Blue Bay if their primary concern is longevity and durability, and they are willing to trade the extra size for a much more robust and reliable structure.

3. Intex 20ft x 10ft x 48in Oval Prism Frame Pool Set

This Intex Oval Prism Frame pool is perhaps the most direct and compelling alternative. Intex is a market leader with a proven reputation for quality and engineering. This pool offers a very large swimming area in a space-saving oval shape, and its Prism Frame is known for being sturdy and reliable. Crucially, the included 1500 GPH cartridge filter pump is a higher quality unit, and the package also includes a ground cloth, which the Blue Bay set lacks. For a similar investment, the Intex model provides superior engineering, a more trusted brand name, and a more thoughtfully designed accessory package, making it a much safer and wiser choice for a large family pool.

Final Verdict: A Pool That’s Hard to Recommend

We truly wanted to love the Blue Bay 24ft Round Above Ground Pool Set. The size is magnificent, and the rattan aesthetic is a genuine upgrade that we wish more manufacturers would adopt. It promises the perfect backyard oasis. Unfortunately, our in-depth review and testing reveal a product with critical, foundational flaws that we simply cannot overlook. The under-engineered frame with its 18 flimsy legs is a significant safety and longevity concern. The grossly underpowered pump guarantees a frustrating struggle with water maintenance, and reports of liner failures point to poor quality control.

While the all-in-one package seems like a great deal, the reality is that you will likely need to replace the pump and hoses immediately, adding hundreds to the overall cost. More importantly, the risk of a frame failure on a pool holding over 100,000 pounds of water is too great. For these reasons, we cannot recommend this pool, especially for families with children. There are safer, more reliable, and ultimately better value options on the market from more reputable brands. If you are still considering it, we urge you to closely examine all the details and user feedback before making a final decision. You can check the latest price and availability here, but we strongly suggest looking at the alternatives we’ve listed for a safer and more enjoyable summer.