Since this is a new boat for us and, since I've never seen the bottom; I'd like to know if the raw water through-hulls are covered by a screen of some sort on the hull exterior.
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Bottom inspection
If you did not see the bottom when the boat was commissioned (new) or surveyed(used), I would hire a diver to check the bottom for barnacles, zinc condition,paint, etc. Ask him to check the thru-hulls. Almost every marina I've seen in Florida usually knows someone that performs this service.
If you did not see the bottom when the boat was commissioned (new) or surveyed(used), I would hire a diver to check the bottom for barnacles, zinc condition,paint, etc. Ask him to check the thru-hulls. Almost every marina I've seen in Florida usually knows someone that performs this service.
easier way
look at the parts list in your owner's manual. it will tell you which thru-hulls have grates and which do not. none of them have screens, but the engine and refer intakes have inline strainers.
look at the parts list in your owner's manual. it will tell you which thru-hulls have grates and which do not. none of them have screens, but the engine and refer intakes have inline strainers.
Probably no screen
While some like thru hull screens, most do not and the prevailing wisdom seems to be that they may not be a good idea. Too easy to clog with either barnacles or seaweed and either cause engine overheating, nothing to flush with when you need it, or a backed up sink. My engine mechanic is adament about them and has seen some real damage caused because of them. I have had few problems with barnacles in my thru hulls, but they have been minor and easily taken care of on bottom inspections with a screwdriver or other small tool. Bruce
While some like thru hull screens, most do not and the prevailing wisdom seems to be that they may not be a good idea. Too easy to clog with either barnacles or seaweed and either cause engine overheating, nothing to flush with when you need it, or a backed up sink. My engine mechanic is adament about them and has seen some real damage caused because of them. I have had few problems with barnacles in my thru hulls, but they have been minor and easily taken care of on bottom inspections with a screwdriver or other small tool. Bruce
380 water intake screens
Look under the first floorboard directly at the landing of the companionway. Your engine raw water intake has a large screen strainer. The freezer/fridge is the smaller one just foreward of that under the same floorboard. The next floorboard foreward has the air conditioning intake strainer. My Florida experience says you should plan on cleaning them at least weekly if you are using the boat. I didn't when I first got my 380 and couldn't understand why my freezer wouldn't keep ice cream.
Look under the first floorboard directly at the landing of the companionway. Your engine raw water intake has a large screen strainer. The freezer/fridge is the smaller one just foreward of that under the same floorboard. The next floorboard foreward has the air conditioning intake strainer. My Florida experience says you should plan on cleaning them at least weekly if you are using the boat. I didn't when I first got my 380 and couldn't understand why my freezer wouldn't keep ice cream.
FINAL DECISION
I live aboard,after reading your article and having to go the the command hut and check mail call,I toured the boats that were into their winter snooze.To my suprise there were several crafts with pin holed guards[which is their proper nomanclature]or screens as you would call them. However,they were other makes and ther were several Hunters,90'vintage, that had none. I have to agree with the gentlemen before me that the strainers on board would be better and easier to clean and of course they do not cause friction when sailing. When I had power boats, they had these devices for when one runs aground the boat rubs on the bottom.With a sailboat,if the bottom of the boat rubs on the bottom of the sea,you are in mud up to your goolie and you aint goin nowere,nohow.Put that in your pipe and smoke it,and dont tell your papa. I just cant behave Phil Tommy
I live aboard,after reading your article and having to go the the command hut and check mail call,I toured the boats that were into their winter snooze.To my suprise there were several crafts with pin holed guards[which is their proper nomanclature]or screens as you would call them. However,they were other makes and ther were several Hunters,90'vintage, that had none. I have to agree with the gentlemen before me that the strainers on board would be better and easier to clean and of course they do not cause friction when sailing. When I had power boats, they had these devices for when one runs aground the boat rubs on the bottom.With a sailboat,if the bottom of the boat rubs on the bottom of the sea,you are in mud up to your goolie and you aint goin nowere,nohow.Put that in your pipe and smoke it,and dont tell your papa. I just cant behave Phil Tommy
Pros and cons..
I have a h 34 with an internal strainer and no external strainer. I plan on installing a traditional bronze strainer - not a pin-hole type device. This past summer in Vineyard Sound MA, the weed was so thick that it caused the suction inlet to become blocked and overheat the engine. I cleared the internal basket successfully once and got things going again, but the second time, the hole was plugged by a bigger clump and had to be cleared by going overboard. Thank God we can sail into a calm area and don't have to depend on the engine to get home.
I have a h 34 with an internal strainer and no external strainer. I plan on installing a traditional bronze strainer - not a pin-hole type device. This past summer in Vineyard Sound MA, the weed was so thick that it caused the suction inlet to become blocked and overheat the engine. I cleared the internal basket successfully once and got things going again, but the second time, the hole was plugged by a bigger clump and had to be cleared by going overboard. Thank God we can sail into a calm area and don't have to depend on the engine to get home.
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