Necessary to Add a Strainer?

[Mackaroni]

I am currently doing a complete refit on my 1988 O'Day 302 which includes replacing all the thru hulls and seacocks with new hardware. I have chosen Groco and their customer service has been phenomenal. I have been using MaineSail's tutorials and all is going well. However, I have a question.

My raw water intake for the engine has a Groco strainer that water passes through before going into the engine system.

My raw water intake for the head does not. Is this something I should consider or is it overkill?

Thanks

Mack

[Boatyarddog]

Originally Posted by Mackaroni

I am currently doing a complete refit on my 1988 O'Day 302 which includes replacing all the thru hulls and seacocks with new hardware. I have chosen Groco and their customer service has been phenomenal. I have been using MaineSail's tutorials and all is going well. However, I have a question.



My raw water intake for the engine has a Groco strainer that water passes through before going into the engine system.



My raw water intake for the head does not. Is this something I should consider or is it overkill?



Thanks



Mack

Good ahead and use a lighter version to keep shells and ect from the valves in the head pump, a jabsco, fresh water strainer is adequate.


Sent from SV Cloud Duster

[Terra Nova]

I would install an identical strainer at the head intake.

[Sailorman Ed]

+1, I once had a long skinny pinecone like item stuck in the intake, just could not figure out why it would not flush and no water was coming in....

[Mackaroni]

Are you folks referring to the bronze strainer that is underneath the boat, or to a second inline strainer with a basket?

[Terra Nova]

Inside the boat.

[HopCar]

A strainer in the head intake can reduce bad smells from the toilet. Without the strainer bits of seaweed can get into the rim of the toilet bowl and rot. You don't need to use a big strainer as very little water will go through it compared to the engine strainer.
One of these should be fine ShurFlo Raw water strainers 1/2"-1-1/4"

Put it where it's easy to clean.

I'd love to have the opportunity to quote on the Groco items you are going to need.
Seacocks by Groco and Apollo Conbraco

[Muckle Flugga]

Originally Posted by Mackaroni

Are you folks referring to the bronze strainer that is underneath the boat, or to a second inline strainer with a basket?

No bronze strainer required. Inline is a good idea. Sometimes blennies like to take up residence, and can be a right pain if they get up into the head pump valves.

[deblen]

I have a Groco bronze strainer inline between my engine seacock & raw water pump.
I also installed one of these Shurflo strainers between the output of raw water pump & inlet of heat exchanger to catch rubber chips,etc.from chowdered impeller or hoses. My VP2003 heat exchanger is a bugger to get to & a 3 hand juggling job to disassemble/reassemble.

ShurFlo Raw water strainers 1/2"-1-1/4"

Cheers/ Len

[S/V Alchemy]

Originally Posted by HopCar

A strainer in the head intake can reduce bad smells from the toilet. Without the strainer bits of seaweed can get into the rim of the toilet bowl and rot. You don't need to use a big strainer as very little water will go through it compared to the engine strainer.
One of these should be fine ShurFlo Raw water strainers 1/2"-1-1/4"

Put it where it's easy to clean.

I'd love to have the opportunity to quote on the Groco items you are going to need.
Seacocks by Groco and Apollo Conbraco

I would add that if it's possible, putting it just above the waterline is a safety factor and help in accessing any jams. The head pump brings in the water, and the (for instance) one inch "rise" is easy to fill. If you get a jam on the intake side, remove the water filter lid and basket, and plunge it with a wire or a dowel.

Regarding the motor, if it's raw water cooled, it's common to have the filter after the pump and before the block. That way, if the impeller vanes shred, they end up in the basket and not in the block, giving you a far better shot at replacing the impeller without having an overheat that's going to be difficult to solve inside the boat.

[exMaggieDrum]

I would highly recommend a strainer of some sort. It should be rated for below the water line use but does not have to be a big bronze (or other material) one like you would use for the engine. And put it where you can get to it easily to inspect and clean. At anchor is where I find it is needed the most but would help underway as well.

One thing I always seemed to have was little fishies get caught in the thru-hull piping before that though. It is common to find 1/2" or 3/4" thru-hulls and hoses there and the fish will get sucked up and stuck. You then blow out your toilet pump from over "sucking" a blocked hose/pipe. What I have done is to put a T at the top of the thru-hull valve with a removable plug for the top and the hose going to the toilet going off the side part. When a fish or weed gets stuck in there I remove the plug and push a dowel rod though it to clear it. You have to leave the thru-hull open but only a little water should get in. You'll appreciate that after having to remove the pipe/hose from the thru-hull once if it happens to you.

[Terra Nova]

If the sea cock is installed with a straight hose barb adapter, it is a simple matter to remove the hose and force a pre-fitted wooden or plastic dowel through while shipping very little water.

Having a bronze sea strainer minimizes maintenance intervals and facilitates easy maintenance. I like to see the strainer mounted below the waterline, with the plumbing run a continuous rise from thru-hull to pump, which should be mounted above the waterline.

[boeing1]

yes, good advice, use a strainer, you would be surprised what has turned up in the water strainers through the years

[Boatyarddog]

Originally Posted by Terra Nova

If the sea cock is installed with a straight hose barb adapter, it is a simple matter to remove the hose and force a pre-fitted wooden or plastic dowel through while shipping very little water.

Having a bronze sea strainer minimizes maintenance intervals and facilitates easy maintenance. I like to see the strainer mounted below the waterline, with the plumbing run a continuous rise from thru-hull to pump, which should be mounted above the waterline.

Overkill on the bronze strainer, a simple inline freshwater strainer as mentioned above is totally adequate.
The cost difference is the only difference here.
If the head is below your waterline, be safe and install a vacuum break in the line to the bowl, position it as far above the waterline as you can.


Sent from SV Cloud Duster

[Terra Nova]

Originally Posted by Boatyarddog

Overkill on the bronze strainer, a simple inline freshwater strainer as mentioned above is totally adequate...

The fresh water strainers do not last in sea water. The good bronze strainers come with monel screens.