Raw Water Strainer Absent on volvo penta 2002 with saildrive

[Charliemcc253]

I have recently aquired an Etap 28i with a volvo penta 2002 engine and volvo penta 120SC saildrive
However what seems strang to me is that the raw water comes straight out of the valve at the saildrive and straight into the engine, no strainer in sight.
Is this normal for a saildrive? Are the inlet holes on the saildrive simply small enough to not require a strainer? Or is it advisable to install one now even though it hasn't seemed to need one all these years.

 

[penfold]

The leg does function as a coarse strainer, although if you're in water that is frequently bothered with rubbish then a separate strainer and intake might be prudent.

 

[Tranona]

A strainer is not essential - irrelevant that it is a saildrive, many shaft drive boats don't have strainers. The boat is getting on for 40 years old and seems not to have come to any harm. However usually easy to fit a Vetus type filter above the waterline if you have a convenient location.