Raw water strainer disaster waiting to happen

[Project_Mayhem]

I was warned by an experienced marine diesel mechanic that plastic strainers inside the engine compartment are risky because they get brittle with age and the engine heat greatly accelerates that process.
Getting it outside the engine compartment, away from engine heat and above static waterline is a good compromise. I actually considered that option with a plastic strainer, but inside the engine compartment provided the best access in my boat, so I went with bronze.
Keeping salt water away from the engine is smart. Not a problem here on Lake Michigan.

The only problem is that we're forced to take our boats out of the water. There's still plenty of good sailing in November and early December

 

[Dalliance]

The only problem is that we're forced to take our boats out of the water. There's still plenty of good sailing in November and early December

My sailing season is normally late May to late October.
I’m convinced I get as much use of my boat in our short but intense sailing season as I would if it were somewhere I could sail year around.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

My sailing season is normally late May to late October.
I’m convinced I get as much use of my boat in our short but intense sailing season as I would if it were somewhere I could sail year around.

I've been doing the late leaver out of Burnham for the past few years. We've had some great sailing this November and it shaves off 2-3 hours off the already long bridge runs to the yard

 

[Dalliance]

I've been doing the late leaver out of Burnham for the past few years. We've had some great sailing this November and it shaves off 2-3 hours off the already long bridge runs to the yard

This fall has been mild so far. I normally leave Burnham by the 3rd week of October.
The stuck Amtrak bridge pushed me to Nov 1 last year. Dock lines were frozen to the dock.
This year we did the river trip Oct 2nd because of mid October travel plans. Beautiful day and only three other boats. The trip was definitely more relaxed, but still about four hours from LSD bridge to Canal St.
I always go on Wednesdays because the groups are smaller than Saturday. I find good sailing days generally become fewer and farther between after mid September and I’m not a cold weather person.

 

[heritage]

I would think that the water flowing through the strainer with the engine running would keep a plastic strainer cool enough to prevent damage.

 

[NYSail]

Think you looked at the wrong price……. I bought a Groco bronze for a couple hundred dollars for my 54 hp engine.

 

[Terry Cox]

Our 1991 boat came with a Perko brand sea water strainer. Replaced it with same two years ago, a quality product. https://defender.com/en_us/perko-in...fb3008c8bb&utm_term=4580153138713961#493=7373

 

[Project_Mayhem]

This fall has been mild so far. I normally leave Burnham by the 3rd week of October.
The stuck Amtrak bridge pushed me to Nov 1 last year. Dock lines were frozen to the dock.
This year we did the river trip Oct 2nd because of mid October travel plans. Beautiful day and only three other boats. The trip was definitely more relaxed, but still about four hours from LSD bridge to Canal St.
I always go on Wednesdays because the groups are smaller than Saturday. I find good sailing days generally become fewer and farther between after mid September and I’m not a cold weather person.

Last year, which may be the last time I do a bridge run for a long time, it turned out to be a beautiful day. It was one 60' yacht, a 30sih foot sailboat and myself. It was a pleasant change from the outbound run of 20+ boats and pouring rain. That day was a lot of fun, boats all over the place but surprisingly not chaotic.

We've seen bridge runs take upwards of 6-7 hours. The fastest we've seen is 3.5-4 when we were the last boat of the season and it was just us. I like heavy weather sailing so there's plenty of good days late in the season for that.

 

[Dalliance]

Last year, which may be the last time I do a bridge run for a long time, it turned out to be a beautiful day. It was one 60' yacht, a 30sih foot sailboat and myself. It was a pleasant change from the outbound run of 20+ boats and pouring rain. That day was a lot of fun, boats all over the place but surprisingly not chaotic.

We've seen bridge runs take upwards of 6-7 hours. The fastest we've seen is 3.5-4 when we were the last boat of the season and it was just us. I like heavy weather sailing so there's plenty of good days late in the season for that.

3½ to 4 hours is generally the best you can expect.
We had an 11½ hour trip once. A beautiful Wednesday and only ten boats total, but delays at multiple bridges. We arrived at the DuSable(Michigan Ave) at 3:30 and were told they couldn’t open the bridge until 7:30 because it was the start of rush hour. Tied up in front of O’Brian’s, so at least there was food and drink. 7:30 came and went and we weren’t in the lock until 10:00

 

[PNWE36]

Our 2003 Beneteau 331 had a Vetus strainer. The housing is rated for any normal temperatures in the engine compartment. The attached picture shows the location of the strainer in the Yanmar 3GM30F engine compartment. This picture was taken in 2019 at 1500 hrs. Strainer was like new. When we purchased our Hunter the plastic Sherwood filter was mounted in the bilge with a nipple directly to the thru hull. For me it was a priority to change it. I installed a Vetus FTR330 same set up as the Beneteau. No need for a loop as it is mounted slightly above the waterline. Makes it very easy (and dry to clean the strainer).
Make sure to use hoses rated for under the waterline and saltwater. Double marine grade SST hose clamps on the connections.
One caution with the Vetus. It has a large cap so you can get lots of torque on it. Be careful not to get it too tight or it will be very difficult to get off, with a risk of damage.
A bronze Groco would have been a good option as well but the inlet and outlet connections would require more fittings for my installation. I try to keep fittings to a minimum as each one is a potential leak point.