Glad I have see-through lid in engine raw water strainer

[tudorsailor]

I admit that I only look at the strainer every few weeks. However when cleaning under the sole boards this week-end I was shocked to see that the engine strainer was packed with debris. It was easily seen through the polycarbonate top. I then opened the generator strainer - which does not have a see-through top and there was a lot of stuff in its filter too.
I guess the moral of this is that a see-through top to the strainer is a good idea but I should check it more often!


Engine strainer

Removed debris in a sieve

Filter from genset strainer

TudorSailor

 

[matthewriches]

I remember the crap that I sucked up on the Thames. Loads of it! Although the Medway wasn't much better, had what looked like half a carrier bag in it.

As you say, check more often is a good thing!

 

[johnalison]

I would like to have a see-through but don't. On the other hand, I only have to lift one step of the companionway to get to mine and check it every time I go out. Despite this, I have seen it gunged up after only five hours motoring, usually with a gummy substance, both in the Channel and North Sea.

 

[libertyman]

i have learnt the hard way to never neglect the raw water inlet. Now a routine pre-departure check.

 

[LadyInBed]

Looks like you have been ploughing the seabed!

 

[kolster]

I get little shrimps? or something similar swimming around in mine.

 

[STOL71]

May I ask where the OP has been sailing? I sail on the Thames and have never seen anything like it.

 

[Gumpy]

I once after a prolonged period of not running the engine (months) found a crayfish in my filter. I sometimes wonder what it thought on being released having grown up in the confines of my filter.

 

[rotrax]

My bronze one has glass sides. The filter basket can easily be viewed. As it is alongside the raw water seacock, I check it when I turn it on.

 

[tudorsailor]

May I ask where the OP has been sailing? I sail on the Thames and have never seen anything like it.

I have been sailing in the Med, so Croatia to Italy finishing in Lefkas. There was some time when the yacht was alongside the town quay in Brindisi with the wind howling onto the quay. So in retrospect I wonder if that is when all the flotsam and jetsam accumulated against the wall on the port side of the yacht where the water intakes are. Of course the intakes are below the water line and most of the stuff ought to have been floating.
Good news is that the strainer did its job
TS