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Are all raw water strainers created equal?

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briang0

Regular Contributor
I have a Groco 1000 water strainer on my BB Crusader. It is the type of strainer that has a SS mesh screen that is about 1.5" in diameter held in a clear screw in plastic bowl. I keep my boat in a river up here that has a lot of sea weed floating around and where my dock is, likes to catch a lot of it. I have to "rake" between my boat and the dock before I start it. Over the last couple of years I have had to pull my transmission cooler and the covers off my heat exchanger several times during the year. It seems even though the strainer is stopping some of the weed there is still some getting by and getting caught in the transmission cooler and some even gets to the heat exchanger. Is this common to all strainers or did I just pick the wrong one for the job? I can usually tell when the engine starts running a little hot that its time to clean the plumbing again.
 
Not uncommon for some weeds to get by but check that it is the correct basket for that unit. Have seen them replaced with the wrong size. It must seat properly in the top of the unit. Is the debris inside the basket or outside? Seen these plumbed in wrong too.
 
I think you should have the 1250 sized unit. Also, they make different baskets. I'd suggest starting with the locals - ask and see what they use and how often they have to clean them, especially the commercial fishers...they don't like doing maintenance anymore than necessar so, if there is a preferred unit, they will know about it. The local boatyards maybe helpful, too.

Like Woodie said, some small stuff may get thru. The risk you have using a finer basket is that it will catch more debris, it will clog up faster...

The last option is to call Groco's tech department - they have been very helpful to me in the past.
 
The weed is getting trapped inside the basket. I installed this a couple of years ago I thought it was correct but this is my first true inboard use to have outboards.
 
I have the 1.25" Groco. I can't see how stuff could clog the HE tube by getting thru the basket. Is the top of the stainless strainer evenly curved? Ditto the 1250 recommend. Isn't your hose size at least 1.25"?
 
If I remember correctly when I installed it a few years ago I used fittings that allowed the 1.25 hoses to fit on the 1000 I was a novice at the time. It does work well as far as supplying enough water to keep the engine cool provided everything is clear. I trashed my prop this weekend so this will have to go on the back burner while I hunt a replacement down. maybe while I have it out to replace the prop I'll get a new strainer too although I'll be pretty broke after the prop purchase.
 
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