Sea Strainer Sizing

[Downeaster]

My raw water intake is a 3/4 hose but the stock sea strainer (plastic) is 1/2". I get the feeling this is not uncommon with production boats.

I looked at the Groco tailpieces and the actual opening for the 3/4" is only a tiny bit larger than the 1/2" tailpiece. In fact you can barely tell the difference!

Any thoughts on whether or not it is worth it to get a 3/4" strainer versus a 1/2"? The 3/4" Groco ARG that I like seems so huge for my application (Universal M35B). And given the flow of both are constrained at about the same diameter (tailpiece) - I'm not sure what the right answer is?

Thank you,
Downeaster

[jstevens]

Downeaster,
I think your analysis of the throughput differences between the two strainer is accurate. A bronze hose barb normally reduces the ID of water passage more than a plastic hose barb so there isn't a lot of difference between 1/2" plastic and 3/4" bronze.
One difference that might be significant is the size of the strainer basket. I don't know how much larger the 3/4" basket is than the 1/2", but the larger basket can contain more sludge and debris before restricting the water flow.
However, since the existing configuration does not appear to be causing any problems I would stay with it.

John

[Downeaster]

Originally Posted by jstevens

Downeaster,
I think your analysis of the throughput differences between the two strainer is accurate. A bronze hose barb normally reduces the ID of water passage more than a plastic hose barb so there isn't a lot of difference between 1/2" plastic and 3/4" bronze.
One difference that might be significant is the size of the strainer basket. I don't know how much larger the 3/4" basket is than the 1/2", but the larger basket can contain more sludge and debris before restricting the water flow.
However, since the existing configuration does not appear to be causing any problems I would stay with it.

John

Yes - and furthermore my theory is that the throughput for a 1/2" bronze is no different than a 3/4" bronze because the barb ID is constrained by the hose. So this real difference is the surface area of the screen. That's my theory at least.

Thanks,
Downeaster