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Inboard Diesel Raw Water Intake

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dblitz
Navigator

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240 Posts

Initially Posted - 01/04/2006 : 22:41:42

My boat's raw water intake is a regular thru hull to a hose to the impeller. Is this standard (without a strainer)?
Asking because I fear barnacles will clog the intake or be sucked in and destroy the impeller. On the other hand would a strainer clog more quickly than a regular thru hull?
Does the intake need frequent inspection by hauling or diving?

Daniel 86 "Solar Wind" #5339 C-25 FK/SR I/B Diesel

Edited by - on

Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1889 Posts

Response Posted - 01/04/2006 : 23:22:02

I've seen some engine raw water intakes with external strainers, internal strainers, and some without. I don't think an external strainer is going to impede barnacles, but it will sure impede you when you're trying to ream them out of your thru-hull. I'd say the strainers are best at catching plastic bags, eel grass, and other flotsom before they get too deep in the plumbing. However, a plastic shopping bag over your cooling water intake is still going to cook your motor if you're not paying attention.

In any event, it's important for the cooling water intake to have a proper seacock so it can be closed in the event of a raw water cooling failure below the waterline. But don't forget to open the seacock before starting the motor, or you'll be just as screwed as with the plastic baggie.

I highly recommend some sort of loud warning sensor for engine problems such as overheating and low oil pressure. Books on inboard motorboat electrics and mechanics might be a good place to start researching that sort of thing.

-- Leon Sisson

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Kip C
Navigator

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USA
243 Posts

Response Posted - 01/05/2006 : 07:26:43

I have a strainer attached to a sea-cock. It has a clear housing that spins off and has a reusable filter in it. While your at it, I'd look into installing a fitting you can attach a water hose to, for times when your hauled out and need to run the engine or winterize it.
I've made a habit of shutting all sea-cocks when leaving the boat and then opening first thing when on the boat. I sleep better that way, when away from the boat. What 's everyone else do?

Edited by - Kip C on 01/05/2006 07:45:04

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 01/05/2006 : 09:40:07

When my friend hauled his C30 two seasons ago, he found Zebra mussels had grown inside his bronze intake strainer.

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jmoritz
Deckhand

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21 Posts

Response Posted - 01/05/2006 : 12:43:15

I have the strainer with the clear housing as described above. It has never clogged on me in 2 years. I do not shut seacocks every time I use the boat. My fear in exercising them too much is that eventually I am going to break one when shutting or opening it so often. They do not appear to be that sturdy to me. I do close them periodically to keep them working however. One positive thing on the cooling water is that if you ever want a quick check it is easy to look over the stern and see how much is coming out. Mine expels a significant stream of water plus I have temp gauge too. I previously owned a Hunter 33 where the ehaust exit was so low under the boat you could not see the water exiting from the cockpit.

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.