Help find raw-water sea strainer

[bob_deb]

Hi Everyone,

I,m still learning my way around our new to us sailboat.
We have a 1977 Pearson 323, I'm trying to find and clean everything possible and get familiar with this boat.
There is a waterline coming in from the keel area in the bildge, it runs about 18" to a shutoff valve, then goes another 18" to a metal 'Y' shaped thing. The water line then goes from one end of this thing to the water pump, the other possible outlet of this 'Y' shaped thing has what looks like a nut that holds on a cap or lid type thing that looks like it can be opened.
Is there some sort of filter or basket in there that may be cleaned ????
Is this the sea strainer ????

Thanks - Bob

[AnchorageGuy]

Bob, There definitely should be a sea strainer with a removable basket to be able to clean. You say a water line comes in from the bilge area. There should be a strainer where it comes thru the hull or prior to connecting up to the raw water pump. If there isn't one you need to add it after the cut off valve of course. The Y in your line is probably a short hose to allow winterizing of the engine with anti-freeze in the winter.