No raw water strainer?

[davidaprice]

My 1987 Maxi 999 doesn't have a raw water strainer. Her Volvo Penta 2002's water pump is connected directly to the intake on the sail drive, and there's no evidence that it's ever been different. Is this normal? Does the sail drive's water inlet perhaps have some kind of grille anyway? Or should I add a raw water strainer to my winter projects list?

 

[Herald]

My 1987 Maxi 999 doesn't have a raw water strainer. Her Volvo Penta 2002's water pump is connected directly to the intake on the sail drive, and there's no evidence that it's ever been different. Is this normal? Does the sail drive's water inlet perhaps have some kind of grille anyway? Or should I add a raw water strainer to my winter projects list?

I had similar set up on my VP D1-20. There's no real grille on the saildrive leg, certaintly not for anything smaller and finer at least. Re strainer, I guess personal choice. I've just fitted a strainer on mine as I've had a couple of occasions of getting a high temp alarm, which has finally been traced the debris in the cooler.

 

[Tranona]

Matter of choice whether you fit a strainer or not. If you are going to fit one, make sure it is above the waterline so that you can clean it without shutting off the water. You can find schematics of different layouts in the Vetus catalogue www.vetus.com

 

[PeterR]

According to Volvo a strainer is optional with a saildrive. Perhaps that is true if you sail somewhere where there is no seaweed. I fitted one and have had to clean the filter out at least once a month. Apart from seaweed, contents have included small muscles and gravel. My heat exchanger would have been clogged long ago without the protection of a filter.

 

[BILLBAILEY]

Strainer

I have within the last 6 months acquired a Maxi 33 - 20 years old and no strainer!!! There is some comment and discussion re this on the maxi owners club site. I have asked my mechanic (motortech) to investigate and give me a quote and received it today. Its going to cost circa £60 for the straiiner plus other bits required and labour is circa £120 - so £200 plus VAT for the job. Sounds a lot but i dont have the time to do myself - and compared to the damage that could be done to the engine its seems a sensible approach. If you want to do it yourself there is more guidance on the maxi owners site