Mercruiser 350 Mag Mpi on 2014 Sea Ray Sundancer 260

Hello,

I am new to is forum and like many here finally got
fed up with trying to figure a problem out solo.

I take my boat out for day cruises, usually not more than 6 miles
from the marina. The waterways here in and around Sandy Hook
bay have narrow channels and the depth difference along the edges
can go from 10 ft to 1 ft real quick. We also like to pull up to a sandbar
nearby as well.

I am usually very careful and try my best not to stir up sand. In reality
though, it's very easy for something to happen in the quest for mariner
perfection.

I have had to change sensors and thermostats, quite a number times
already. I am wondering if anyone out there has any ideas, other than
not visiting sand bars any longer.

Are there thermostats made that can withstand sand making it stay open?
Would a raw water sea strainer have any benefit?
Is there an inline filter you can install?
Is there a thermostat housing that has easy access to actually quickly
clean off the thermostat? Can you effectively clean off a thermostat
on your own, or do you have to buy a new one every time?

I thank you for any information that could help me.

If you continue this type of operation you will be filling the manifolds and block with sand.This leads to an overheating condition that thermostats and impellers cant cure.A sea strainer would filter out the gravel sized stones but that all.
Try to stay in atleast 3 feet of water and walk or swim in to the beach/sand bar.
Otherwise you`ll be seeking my services some day.

10 feet of water!!! Wow... I'm down on Barnegat Bay and 10 ft is hard to find, 1 ft, however much easier to find. Many years ago I started converting my boats that had engine mounted raw water pumps to thru hull water pickups with external strainers. This takes care of the occasional inadvertent "bottom finding" issues, HOWEVER!!!! I never run my engine in less than about 3 ft of water and if I "beach" it, engine gets shut off and boat gets walked closer to shore to but not on to the shore. I stopped actually beaching my boat the day I nosed it onto a bar inside Barnegat Inlet and the tide went out.

Thanks for the quick replies.

Are there strainers out there that can filter finer particles?

I forgot the idea of installing a fresh water
cooling system.

One more thing. Does putting the drives up 45 degrees offer any benefit?

Stay out of the shallow water. That is the only thing that will work.