Cooling water - to screen or not to screen?

[Hartley18]

Thanks for the examples, MS.

Originally Posted by Maine Sail

And that is why I no longer use external screens.

.. and, given that I'm the sort that pay someone else to dive on the hull, why I won't either.

[Capt Len]

Several thoughts on this. I'm on the 'screen is good' side. It should be positioned so that the screen is aft facing.Mine is easily removed when hauled. Six bronze screws thru the matching copper washer/plate installed before the thru hull was in. I have never had a marine growth problem in 30 years . I picked up a plastic bag once and the engine exhaust sound gave instant alarm .My anti syphon U has a hose fitting on it which can be quickly connected to my engine room wash down hose.This has a lot of fresh water at 25 psi behind it. Quit enough to blow the bag out. winterize the heat exchanger or act as emergency water supply if the raw water pump were to fail at a very inconvenient time .