Raw Water Intake AQD32

[boatone]

Having previously owned a boat with a seacock and weedbox type filter I was a little surprised to find that the raw water intake for the AQD32's is via the leg and appears to have no way of being shut off 'sea-cock wise'. Also as the connecting hose inside the hull appears to have a lower end that is marginally on the water line any leaks could be a little dodgy! When wintering afloat with the previous boat I would shut off the seacock and pour 50/50 antifreeze through the weed filter with the engine running until the antifreeze showed at the exhaust outlet and found this very simple routine protected the raw water cooling side perfectly. Anyone know how to do this on the AQD 32's? Anyone know if its possible to mod the existing arrangement to fit an inline weed strainer inboard of the water intake?
Incidentally, in a previous post some weeks ago someone suggested that freezing was unlikely to be a problem with the boat afloat - definitely not so.... as I learnt to my cost with a damaged heat exchanger before learning the routine above.

boatone@boatsonthethames.co.uk

 

[Guest]

Seems to be a standard install - my AD31's are the same. Rubber hose from the leg to the pump, strainer on top of the pump, and then rubber hose to the heat exchanger. The lack of seacocks is a concern, but equally, there'd be bugger all room to get at them if they were fitted.

More worryingly, the pumps are just on the water line. Having had occasion to open the strainer lids while at anchor, I can confirm that any wave surge hitting the transom sends water spewing out of the open strainers. I dread to think what it would be like changing impellers at sea.