To strain or not?

[ifmdalvey]

This year i have had a problem,well two problems. i keep ingesting seaweed into my seacock for engine cooling and i live in cold Maine waters.

I really want to avoid going over the side and pulling out the seaweed externally, i have done it twice so far.

So the question is, do i fit a strainer or not and if i do what type should i go for and how easy are they to fit?

Thank you.

 

[Padrone]

Yes definitely for the strainer, alternatively, "back flush" the intake with a hose occasionally!

 

[woodster]

get the kind that has the door on the great or just get a rod and rod it out from topside by taking off the hose and holding it up high above the water line and rod it out

 

[Zed]

What, no lobster pot lines? I'm thinking of buying a wetsuit and goggles.

 

[Gunni]

You will still be going over the side to clear the strainer, you just won't be down there trying to pull a plug out of the intake. I pull my internal strainer lid, insert my RIB inflator hose into the raw water hose and blow it out with air from inside the boat. If you have a dive tank and hose adaptor you can apply an 1800 psi industrial solution

 

[Stu Jackson]

Why External Strainers are a Bad Idea 101 (Maine Sail) http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=124964

 

[CHM]

I've had engine temp issues for months and the thought is there must be growth behind the external strainer. I tried everything to clear it but there is a 90 from the through hull to the internal strainer which is difficult to get around. Boat hauled recent and sure enough all kinds of growth between the strainer and through hull. Of course I have the one which will not open and is one piece. I am opening it up by cutting all the fins out. This will make it easier to clean from outside the hull for sure.

 

[Benny17441]

We find that shooting compressed air down the seacock is easier than diving.

 

[Stu Jackson]

I agree with Benny. We've used our dinghy foot pump, but not right on the seacock/strainer, which is hard to get to. We remove the hose from the intake strainer AT the rw pump on the engine - very easy to get to. Pump away. We do NOT have a strainer, and have only had to do this twice in 17+ years.

 

[Rick486]

I have had a strainer on my engine inlet over 3 boats and 35 years. As a result I have never, not once, had to clear weeds or other debris from my engine inlet. Maintenance is simple. Each spring I inspect the strainer and inlet visually and spray antifouling paint into the strainer. Simple.

 

[ifmdalvey]

Thanks for all the suggestions and Mainesails old posting. I guess if i get one it will be hinged. My seacock has a 90* elbow and pushing even a wire through it is impossible.
I do like the idea of a spare bit of tube (above the water line) on a straight elbow and pushing down that way.
I don't see how i could get enough pressure quick enough from a dinghy inflator to go down that route.
I do have a wet suit, hood and googles just in case, you need that in Maine just for the lobster warps.