What size RW strainer?

[bugbitten]

I'd like to use one of those gizmos where you flush the raw water cooling side of your engine with fresh water. It sits on top of the raw water strainer, which is a problem as I don't have one. The hose runs straight from the seacock to the raw water pump intake.

I did some quick searching and it seems that in ID of the hose attaching to the RW pump is 13mm or half an inch. (I see no markings on the hose itself.) Does that sound right? If so, would this strainer be what I need to put in the loop?

http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|51|305312|614247&id=1798477

In which case, is this the nipple I'd need?

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/der-15712

I get confused easily when it comes hoses and their fittings.

Should I just pull the hose and measure the ID?

I was at the boat and toyed with going out on the water just now. Pretty afternoon, but a bit breezy (15 gusting to 18 knots) to be out alone with my skill set.

Thanks.

John

 

[woodster]

I'd like to use one of those gizmos where you flush the raw water cooling side of your engine with fresh water. It sits on top of the raw water strainer, which is a problem as I don't have one. The hose runs straight from the seacock to the raw water pump intake.

I did some quick searching and it seems that in ID of the hose attaching to the RW pump is 13mm or half an inch. (I see no markings on the hose itself.) Does that sound right? If so, would this strainer be what I need to put in the loop?

http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|51|305312|614247&id=1798477

In which case, is this the nipple I'd need?

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/der-15712

I get confused easily when it comes hoses and their fittings.

Should I just pull the hose and measure the ID?

I was at the boat and toyed with going out on the water just now. Pretty afternoon, but a bit breezy (15 gusting to 18 knots) to be out alone with my skill set.

Thanks.

John

that size will work better than what you have now...it is a 1/2 inch strainer ...Mail Sail recommends no smaller than a 1 inch strainer...the original set up came with no strainer at all on board only an external strainer through hull fitting that WILL get clogged up...in order to up grade to a larger through hull you will have to do it on your next hall out....as for the hose barb connections use only 5- 5 -5 -85 bronze fittings...the brass one you have referred to will not last very long ...maybe as little as 1 year...you can put the new strainer inside now and upgrade the through hull later when you haul out ..as far as the size hose barb goes you can reduce the out side of the strainer to the engine pump to accommodate your required hose size...hope this helps.....

Maine Sail may comment on what I have told you....if he does take what he says as the best advice avaliable......sorta like if he tells you the black berry's are ripe for picking don't ask how much berry's there are just go get buckets and pick and pick berry's....

regards

woody

 

[BobM]

Ditto

No brass whatsoever on a boat unless it is a bell.

I thought about a RW strainer, but I figure that the additional connections add risk and that the engine lasted the first thirty years without one, so why baby it now. I did boil out my RW jacket with acid once, as some suggest. I didn't see anything particularly nasty come out.

 

[bugbitten]

Hmm. When two of my favorite advisers disagree, there can only be one solution: a bilge-pump smackdown! We'll see which of you can manually pump 50 gallons of hairy shower sludge out of my bilge faster, and I'll go with his recommendation.

I do have such a pile of uninstalled "upgrades" already, I guess I'll put this one off. I've decided getting out and sailing at least once a month over the winter should be better for the engine than a shiny new strainer, although it's always tough for me to resist the voyeuristic draw of a sight glass.

Anyhow, with my new monthly goal in mind, I went for a short evening sail yesterday and it was glorious. I even flouted the low-tide gods and got away with it for once.

If I change my mind, I'll go with the recommended 1" strainer. I may save up and get one of the fancy ones that incorporates a sea cock, just to eliminate that connection.

Thanks, guys.

John

 

[BobM]

Woody is right that the external port does get clogged up. I clean it out with an old steak knife every season. However, this will pretty much be an issue with whatever you put there. They do have some with removable covers that are easier to clean. They tend to accumulate bottom paint reducing the size of the slot so the best thing is to do a better job of cleaning them then I usually do, but I haul every year and am lazy.