Beneteau 381 Indirect Sea Water Cooling

[OGL1]

Sometimes, but not always, after sailing fast off the wind when we start the engine the sea water cooling fails to work. It appears that the sea water filter is empty and has to be re-primed with water. It seems that the water is being sucked out casing an airlock. Closing the inlet sea-cock when sailing appears to solve the problem but this is not the ideal solution. Has anyone any ideas why this may be happening and a solution.

 

[boatmike]

Yes! The pump is losing its prime. The solution is to take the water inlet pipe up in a loop above the filter housing and pump so that when the engine stops the water is not drained back into the sea.

 

[RupertW]

Is your inlet offset to one side? We found with one Beneteau that if we tried to run the engine when going fast on the starboard tack (even broad reaching) then the intake was too shallow for it to suck up water. Our solution was either to start the engine on port tack only or drop the mainsail before getting the engine going.

It made us real sail purists when we'd otherwise be tempted to motor sail.

 

[dickh]

Also make sure the sea water filter lid is screwed on tight - I'm assuming it's one of the plastic above the waterline type. I have to make sure mine is tightened down(even well greased) otherwise air is sucked in............

 

[Rick]

On the tight point, also make sure it's not "overtight". My neighbour has a habit of overtightening his, which then causes distortion, and then a leak.