Raw water strainer

[David Morton]

I'm looking to replace the raw water strainer that provides cooling to my 3YM30 on my CD30. Any recommedations or tips?

[Ron M.]

I replaced the intake seacock with a groco stainless ball valve and their raw water strainer a number of years ago and have been happy with both. I used the glass bowl strainer with stainless basket. I don't have the model # handy but it's a good sized unit so plan installation accordingly .

[David van den Burgh]

I added the Groco ARG-750 several years ago for our Perkins 4.108. Works like it's supposed to. No complaints.

[Jim Walsh]

I added the Groco ARG-750 several years ago for our Perkins 4.108. Works like it's supposed to. No complaints.

I have the same unit (or at least a 31 year old predecessor) and it is a bit large but a perfect strainer. The glass had become less than crystal clear so I tried filling it with a 25/75 solution of bleach and water overnight. There was a thin layer of white "scale" covering the base of the glass which I wiped clean the following morning. It was a dramatic improvement.

[Klem]

I personally like the Perko strainers a lot as there is no plastic and they seem to hold up really well.

The hard part with any strainer installation is often finding real bronze hose barbs. Hamilton Marine carries them and I know a few of the online places do as well.

[David Morton]

Thanks for the tips. Turns out Groco makes two flavors, plastic bucket and stainless steel bucket. Not a lot of difference in price. Body is bronze on both. No indication as to the quality of the steel. Do I go plastic?

[Jim Walsh]

I only have experience with the model with the stainless basket so I'd have to reccommend that. My unit is starting its 31'st year with no issues.

[Maine_Buzzard]

My plastic strainer works OK, but I worry about breaking the handle, and it floats up as the cover is screwed down.

Get the stainless.

Also, mount so the top is a few inches above the waterline and you can clean the basket with the seacock open.

Add a bonding wire to the strainer, there is a screw provided for one.

[Steve Laume]

I installed a used Groco strainer when I bought Raven. You can find them at consignment shops and they seem to last forever. Mine also has the stainless basket and works great.

I never thought to add a bonding wire, but it makes sense and will go on my list.

Mine is mounted about and inch above the waterline. This was just by chance but it works out great when winterizing the engine. With the engine running, I loosen the top on the filter then get ready with a gallon of antifreeze. The whole procedure amounts to taking off the cap, closing the seacock and then pouring the antifreeze into the top as the engine pumps it through the system. Then I pull the fuel stop at the engine and I am done.

Where I have sailed there has only ever been a couple of pieces of eel grass that have made their way into the strainer. I suppose preventing even one of these from making it's way into the pump is worth the trouble and expense of installing the strainer, Steve.

[Sea Hunt Video]

David:

I installed a Shurflo raw water strainer on S/V Bali Ha'i. I was going to install a more substantial bronze strainer but even the smallest ones were too big for the limited space in a Cape Dory 25D's engine room.

http://www.westmarine.com/buy/shurflo-- ... 32_001_503

My guess is this would not be sufficient for your much larger engine.

I have been very happy and surprised by the Shurflo. While the housing is plastic the strainer is stainless steel. Very easy to open and clean. What has been surprising is how little "junk" actually gets into the strainer. S/V Bali Ha'i lived for many years in New Jersey waters and never had any type of engine raw water strainer except for the one on the hull. She did pretty well without a more thorough strainer. I just assumed that in the nutrient rich waters of South Florida I would need a raw water strainer and would need to clean it frequently. Not so. Very little crud gets in. S/V Bali Ha'i does have the standard "basket strainer" type intake on the hull.

http://www.robinhoodmarinecenter.com/sp ... hru-hulls/

I am sure you are enjoying your Cape Dory 31. Spring is near

[Zeida]

IMG_2123.jpg

This is Bandolera's raw water strainer. Very happy with it.

[David Morton]

Thanks for all the replies. Roberto, I also got by for several seasons up here in Maine without a strainer on my 25D, other than what was installed outside on the thru-hull. In fact, I will confess. The bonehead reason I am in the market for a new strainer has to do with my habit of detaching the hose at the impeller and running the pink stuff directly to the water pump on my 25D. I mindlessly did the same this first winter with my CD31 and so stupidly bypassed the strainer. So, I'm sitting at my home in California, watching the weather in Harpswell, ME on weather.com, when the light bulb goes on in my head. Only a few months too late! So, I'm preparing for the worst and expect that I may have cracked the strainer. Mea Culpa.

[Tom Keevil]

David, be sure to check that strainer before launching. Last spring we helped a fellow in Wrangell launch his boat. After the travel lift dropped us in, we checked the bilge, and found it was filling rapidly. We eventually found a cracked raw water filter, which had no doubt frozen over the winter. We shut the sea cock, but then of course, had no engine. Fortunately the Port of Wrangell was very accommodating, and gave us a free tow over to the town dock.

[David Morton]

Tom, I don't think I'll launch with the old strainer! I plan on replacing it before. The body on my current, probably frozen!, strainer is bronze, so perhaps it didn't crack, but I don't think it would be as obvious to inspection than if the strainer bowl was glass. So I'll spend a $100 for a little extra insurance and replace it this spring. Can't say I feel too bad about replacing a 30 year old part.

[Jim Walsh]

I've heard the name in the past but I had to look up the location of Wrangell Alaska on a map. It appears to be in a area heavily "seasoned" with islands. It must make a great cruising ground. A lot of history in the area also. Several famous explorers were dispatched to chart the area and find the northwest passage. In 1776 the Admiralty sent an expedition headed by James Cook which included as one of the officers William Bligh. Imagine what it would be like to retrace the routes of some of the famous explorers today.