Raw Water Strainer

[Jotun]

I need to replace the raw water strainer on my Catalina 27. The one there now is the all plastic type and I wanted to switch out to a bronze one. Any suggestions? Do you think this upgrade is even necessary? It was recommended by the surveyor.

[Cruisingdad]

Jotun,

Wherever possible, use the bronze strainers (in my opinion). The only reason to use one of those plastic ones is cost. The bronze strainers are considerably better. http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs...llpartial/30/0

They are also larger and are top-load - so be conscious of that when you decide to mount it. However, they do nto make a mess when you service them, you do not typically lose the prime, etc, etc.

[hellosailor]

I can't see any reason to call that "necessary" unless there's something wrong with your current strainer. Especially if there is a seacock between the strainer and the hull.

Did the surveyor have any reason to suggest the replacement? Or he just doesn't like plastic?

[Jotun]

There is a seacock. The surveyor just didn't like plastic. Also, I think the surveyor was concerned about the relatively small size of the plastic kind--that it could become clogged more easily.

[Cruisingdad]

What does the strainer go to/feed?

[k1vsk]

Presuming it's the raw water feed strainer to which you refer, the plastic ones can, albeit unlikley, crack if the thruhull clogs and the engine draws sufficient suction. More likely, an errant toss or shift of something hard in proximity to the plastic bowl can also crack it. The small incremental price increase seems like cheap insurance to me.

[FrankLanger]

Do the plastic ones simply twist off like the lid on a jar, or is there a trick to getting them off to clean them out? And is there a risk of getting an air bubble into the water intake system--if so, how does one fix that?
thanks,
Frank

[hellosailor]

Jotun-
Well, size is size.

Regardless of the material, you need a strainer adequate for the engine cooling needs, and some extra capacity since the strainer usually is ignored and gets some growth in it from time to time.

Proper installation in tight spaces, which attaches the strainer to the hull or bulkhead so it can't tug on the hoses, yet leaves room to access the bowl for easy cleaning, can become a much larger project. And as K1 points out, the strainer should also be located so it can't be damaged by things (or feet) tossing about.

Regardless of the material.

Personally I've never seen a plastic strainer that looked flimsy enough for engine suction to collapse it. I'd expect the rubber fins in the impeller pump to flop about and the suction to fail, or the hose collapse, first. But sooner or later, someone will probably bring a $1.79 made-in-china strainer on the market, flimsy enough to collapse in just that way. Oooh, wait, that's an idea, a disposable strainer, just the thing for those dainty folks who don't want to clean the real one out every once in a while!

[Jotun]

The strainer feeds the impeller. Sounds like bronze is the way to go if I can figure out a way to mount the thing.

[k1vsk]

Originally Posted by FrankLanger

Do the plastic ones simply twist off like the lid on a jar, or is there a trick to getting them off to clean them out? And is there a risk of getting an air bubble into the water intake system--if so, how does one fix that?
thanks,
Frank

You got it! They twist off just as you described. If it's above the waterline, the engine raw water pump is self-priming so no need to worry about air. If below the wl, not an issue. Regardless, I think you can tell the vote appears unanimous for the bronze type.