Factory location of water strainer on 84-90 H40?

[Fred G]

I recently bought an 85' H40. The Perko raw water strainer is currently mounted on a board just inside the rear head inspection opening, in front of the starter. It does not look like a factory install. Where is the raw water strainer on your H40's?Thanks!

 

[Rick Sylvester]

Yup, that's it.

And it's an awful place because it sits directly above the starter where it's guaranteed to provide a saltwater bath to all the wiring (as well as the starter) every time you check it. It also blocks access to the raw water impeller.I'm ashamed to say I haven't relocated mine yet. However, here's my plan...I'm going to rebuild the sloped enclosure behind the engine in the aft stateroom so it's a box (like the later H40's) which will provide room to mount both the strainer and my 500 series Racor (which replaced that ridiculous Fram primary filter that also came from the factory) back there where there's easy access and so they can be checked without making a mess.When I do all this I'm also going to replace that stupid Perko raw water strainer with a Groco unit. Whoever dreamed up that two wing nut lid affair with a cork gasket that doesn't seal worth a damn ought to be shot.Whew. There, I feel better now.

 

[Fred G.]

Thanks Rick!

Thanks Rick! I am surprised to hear that that was factory. I also had thoughts of moving it to the aft stateroom as you described. I just replaced my starter (I went to clean the wire connections and stripped the head off the small screw on the solenoid, and afer looking at the surface corrosion on the 19 year old starter, I decided it was time for new stuff), and as you mentioned was taken aback at the amount of electrical connections in such close proximity to the water strainer. To add to the drama, a previous owner installed a second engine start button on the strainer mounting board and used solid core wire (yeah.. solid core wire!) so I replaced all of that with stranded while I was in there.Thanks again!FredP.S. - your boat is gorgeous! Love the blue hull!