inlet strainer

[ghostlymoron]

I've bought a strainer for my engine water intake, the boats never had one before in her 40yr life. However, having got it, i can't find a location for it due to lack of space. It has to be above water level. One convenient place would be the stern locker but would involve a 3' run to strainer from sea cock and 4' run back to the water pump. Does this matter? I live on a drying mooring.

 

[pete]

Personally I like to keep the raw water engine supply line as short as possible. If you dry out as I do and forget to turn off your sea cock the system will probably drain and then your pump will have to re prime the system, this may not be a problem for a good pump but I have Just had to change my raw water pump as the body was worn and it would often not always prime.

 

[TonyBuckley]

I've bought a strainer for my engine water intake, the boats never had one before in her 40yr life. However, having got it, i can't find a location for it due to lack of space. It has to be above water level. One convenient place would be the stern locker but would involve a 3' run to strainer from sea cock and 4' run back to the water pump. Does this matter? I live on a drying mooring.

I am interested to know why install one now after 40 years without?

 

[charles_reed]

I've bought a strainer for my engine water intake, the boats never had one before in her 40yr life. However, having got it, i can't find a location for it due to lack of space. It has to be above water level. One convenient place would be the stern locker but would involve a 3' run to strainer from sea cock and 4' run back to the water pump. Does this matter? I live on a drying mooring.

If the boat dries out and the water from inlet to strainer runs out, you'll have to probably refill it, every time, before starting the engine.
Some people argue that the raw water pump should self-prime, but my experience, over 25 years is, that it doesn't.

 

[neil1967]

Why does it have to be above water level? Mine is slightly below waterlevel (got a deep, centre cockpit, boat and it would be impractical to raise it much further) and there are no problems. I am careful to ensure that I close the engine seacock after sailing so that any problem with the intake hose or strainer doesn't result in water ingress, but I would do that irrespective of the strainer location.

Neil

 

[ghostlymoron]

I am interested to know why install one now after 40 years without?

This is the first boat I've had without a strainer. TBH I never caught much in them in the past and the odd shrimp or bit of weed would probably go through the cooling system without problem.

 

[VicS]

This is the first boat I've had without a strainer. TBH I never caught much in them in the past and the odd shrimp or bit of weed would probably go through the cooling system without problem.

Too late I suppose to consider a different type? A simple bronze bodied one that will mount directly on the inlet gate valve/ball valve?

 

[ghostlymoron]

I did think of that but the seacock is in such an inaccessible place that a strainer there would be virtually unmaintainable.

 

[Leighb]

Why does it have to be above water level? Mine is slightly below waterlevel (got a deep, centre cockpit, boat and it would be impractical to raise it much further) and there are no problems. I am careful to ensure that I close the engine seacock after sailing so that any problem with the intake hose or strainer doesn't result in water ingress, but I would do that irrespective of the strainer location.

Neil

Mine is also below the waterline, just below the cabin sole. As Neil says, provided you turn off the seacock when leaving the boat it is no problem. You also need to remember to turn it off before trying to clean the strainer.

 

[ghostlymoron]

Mine is also below the waterline, just below the cabin sole. As Neil says, provided you turn off the seacock when leaving the boat it is no problem. You also need to remember to turn it off before trying to clean the strainer.

Above or below waterline doesn't really help with my conundrum. The only accessible location is remote from the inlet although I could keep water in the system if I remember to turn off the seacock before I dry out.

 

[Leighb]

I misunderstood your OP. I don't think the distances you mention would matter. My strainer is about 3' from the seacock, the hose then travels a fair way up to the anti-syphon loop and back down to the pump inlet, easily 4' or more, and it works just fine.

 

[VicS]

I misunderstood your OP. I don't think the distances you mention would matter. My strainer is about 3' from the seacock, the hose then travels a fair way up to the anti-syphon loop and back down to the pump inlet, easily 4' or more, and it works just fine.

You have your antisyphon loop in the pipework before the pump? Dont you have trouble with it drawing in air or is it choked up solid so it doesn't and doesn't function as a syphon break either.

 

[ghostlymoron]

I can't see the point in an anti-siphon loop on the inlet because the water pump is a positive displacement type and won't pass water unless it's rotating. I'm still no nearer to a solution as some responders say 'no prob' and others say 'it won't work'. Think I'll leave it off for the time being and hope I don't suck up any debris.

 

[pete]

Would it be possible to relocate your raw water skin fitting and sea cock to a place with room to fit a strainer and seal up the old one ?

 

[ghostlymoron]

All things are possible but I'd rather not.

Would it be possible to relocate your raw water skin fitting and sea cock to a place with room to fit a strainer and seal up the old one ?

 

[Leighb]

You have your antisyphon loop in the pipework before the pump? Dont you have trouble with it drawing in air or is it choked up solid so it doesn't and doesn't function as a syphon break either.

Sorry, my mistake, of course the feed goes direct from strainer to pump, then to heat exchanger. The loop is between the heat exchanger and the injection point on the exhaust.