Logo
FULL SITE MENU

Are internal sea strainers worth it

S

scott_duerring

Regular Contributor
Is the investment of internal

Is the investment of internal sea strainers worth the cost and room taken in the engine room vs. relying on the intake screens installed on the outside of the hull?
 
I don't believe I can answ

I don't believe I can answer you question fully but my boat was 20 years old and did not have strainers.
It does now. but I would guess it may also depend on the type of waters you operate in. It is shallow and muddy where we are so strainers would have been a good idea. I also think most newer boats just have them
 
"Thanks Al, my boat has them,

"Thanks Al, my boat has them, they were an option when I bought it almost ten years ago. I boat in the Great Lakes and have several occasions found myself in a very dirty debris filled river/ditch/stream to get to a marina. I have pulled out sticks,leaves and other crud that made it past my external screens. I always thought they were worth it but I got buried by a pile of posts in another forum who all think that the external screen is just fine and internal strainers are a waste of money and room. Thought I'd post the question here and see what the experts say..."
 
"I have direct experience with

"I have direct experience with this, since I removed my external bronze strainers 6 years ago, and installed internal, Groco strainers.
Overall, I prefer the fine mesh to be inside the boat, where there is no fouling. Keeping critters off of the outside stuff was the real problem, rather than the efficiency of straining. Keeping the bottom paint from filling the holes can be an issue. I would keep the outside strainers only if eellgrass was an issue, since that stuff is supposed to "slide off" the external strainers."
 
"Mine didn't have them org

"Mine didn't have them orginally. I never even thought about it until I noticed one of my engines starting to run warm. After learning the in and outs of my cooling system in a hot engine room, on a 100 Degree day, while on vacation I found the problem (eel grass). 2 weeks later I installed the strainers."
 
When I first put my boat in I

When I first put my boat in I didn't have a inside strainer I spent weeks troubleshooting a over heating problem. It turned out I sucked up some eel grass into the heat exchanger. After the third time this happened I installed a Groco strainer now I can look and see the grass before I start it. Makes life a lot easier and a lot less time consuming.
 
"AHh, to be a fresh water boat

"AHh, to be a fresh water boater. In Florida (salt water)strainers are a must. Sea grass, mud, barnacals, ect... let the strainers catch it before the mains, genset, or AC get it."
 
"I have internal strainers and

"I have internal strainers and down here in Florida they catch all kinds of itty bitty things, even live baby fish. Better the strainers than reworking the heat exchangers."
 
"Ronny's point is what i w

"Ronny's point is what i was going to say when reading the posts. Without the strainer, your (FWC) heat exchangers will gradually plug up and lose efficiency.

Its not as much of a big deal where I am as the water is fresh."
 
I'd bet the oil cooler&#40

I'd bet the oil cooler(s) would protect the HX but the same end result -> clogged cooling water passages and overheated engine(s).
 
Back
Top