SD50 blocked raw water intake ports

[Bradders]

The intake ports on the SD50 keep getting blocked, I have disconnected the hose entering the raw water strainer and have pumped air down the raw water inlet hose to clear any blockage which works for a time. I had a generator installed a few year ago which has a raw water inlet, can anyone see any reason why I couldn’t use the generators raw water inlet to feed raw water viar the water strainer to the cooling system of the yanmar 4JH4CE engine and bypass the SD50 intake ports. I would not be able to use the engine and generator simultaneously which is fine and would only use this system as a back up raw water inlet - the boat is being hauled out shortly to have the hull power washed which will hopefully clear the sail drive intake ports, but for how long I’m not sure
Thanks in advance

 

[RichardS]

It sound like a good idea as a back-up system, although I would ensure that you have something attached to the inlet valve/s which makes it clear that the valve/s cannot be switched when the engine and generator are both running.

Richard

 

[scottie]

Perhaps it would be better to fit an alternative seacock which is not that uncommon a way of solving your problem

 

[Bradders]

Thanks for your reply

Stewart

 

[Skylark]

Why does the SD50 keep getting blocked?

Are you sailing in foul waters or is it that flow in the water channel is restricted because squatters have taken up residence?

How old is it?

Last year, immediately prior to launch, I flushed mine with brick cleaner. I wrapped the bottom of the leg with cling film and poured the acid down through the strainer. I left it for about half an hour to fizz. I caught the residue in a bucket and it had evidently removed a lot of fouling. Given the combination of aluminium and acid I flushed it with water and launched shortly afterwards.

 

[Bradders]

We are based in Woolverstone marina near Ipswich and since coming back from Corfu we have had this issue, the boat is 2011 Jeanneau. Good idea about brick cleaner to remove any fouling and I will certainly try that, thanks very much

 

[Jeff Moore]

Perhaps it would be better to fit an alternative seacock which is not that uncommon a way of solving your problem

The replacement SD-50 seacock is $370 and (as you know) is a terrible seacock that has failed for many people, including myself. A MUCH better replacement, that is cost effective at $95 is the SD-60 seacock. And it works! You'll never get a technician, or anyone at Yanmar to tell you that you can swap out the (crap) SD-50 seacock for the SD-60 seacock. Picture shows the successful install of the SD-60 seacock with a proper shutoff valve.