Questions about marine AC New installation

[glcalahan]

I am doing a new install of a marine 16k AC. I positioned the intake in proximity to engine intake so I felt certain I was low enough on hull. This install is in a complete rebuild of a '72 Pearson 33 so there is not a lot of room. Question is: I expected where I positioned the Bronze strainer that when I opened the thru hull, water would fill the strainer. Water stops in hose about 7" from top of thru hull fitting and does not reach strainer much less fill it. I expected to mount the pump on same plain as the top of the strainer. Now installation has come to a stop! The pump is not a dry pump so it needs water. Any ideas??