Coolant Intake, Weeds and Strainers

[SEMIJim]

We have a 1976 Pearson 30 with a venerable old Atomic A4. It's running fine and I'd like to keep it that way. Problem is: Due to way above-average temps, below-average rainfall, lots of wind from the south, our canal being oriented mostly north/south, and us being at the north end: We're in the middle of an incredible weed patch.

At least one visiting boat this weekend overheated attempting to navigate that weed patch.

Our coolant intake is on port side of the center-line, just forward of the engine. Comes up into a right-angle elbow, hose then leads aft a few inches off the hull and, near as I can tell, then goes up and over the back of the engine, into the top somewhere on the starboard side.

We currently have no strainer on the coolant line. I don't recall seeing one of those strainer type through-hulls when the boat was hauled for the survey. (Doesn't mean it isn't there--I just don't recall seeing it. I think I'd remember it, tho.) I'm certainly not getting in that mucky, nasty canal to find out.

I'm afraid to start/run the engine in that mess.

I think I'd like to install a strainer, at least. But I'm not sure I have the room/space, given the way the coolant line runs.

Suggestions? Pictures?

It occurred to me to try to poll her in/out past the weed patch, but my guess is the bottom's too soft for too deep for our boat hooks to accomplish that.

Jim

[sailingdog]

You could always scull the boat past the weed patch. You'd need a fairly long oar to do so though.

[Sapperwhite]

Do yourself a favor with a winter project and install a nice basket strainer. You get alot of piece of mind for only a little over one boat buck. It beats clogging seagrass into the cooling passages of your engine.

[CapnHand]

I have a small strainer on the raw water inlet. Model 5411 universal diesel. It's about 20 cm long, 15 cm dia. It has a perforated metal strainer inside. It's clear, so I can see if there's any stuff in it. It looks much like the inage in the link posted above. I've never picked anything up, but it gives me peace of mind.

[SEMIJim]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

You could always scull the boat past the weed patch. You'd need a fairly long oar to do so though.

Don't think that hasn't already occurred. Or kedging our way in and out.

Sculling isn't as insane as you might think. Our freeboard isn't all that excessive. Abracadabra sits fairly low in the water, compared to some of her more recently-produced counterparts.

We need to find some solution. There are only three weekends left until haul-out. I'll be damned if she's gonna sit in the slip because of a weed patch.

Of course: The immediate problem would be solved if we'd just get a decent amount of rain and some northerly winds for a few days.

Jim

[sailingdog]

Hmm.. be careful what you wish for, but I'll speak to my personal weather goddess for you.

Originally Posted by SEMIJim

Don't think that hasn't already occurred. Or kedging our way in and out.

Sculling isn't as insane as you might think. Our freeboard isn't all that excessive. Abracadabra sits fairly low in the water, compared to some of her more recently-produced counterparts.

We need to find some solution. There are only three weekends left until haul-out. I'll be damned if she's gonna sit in the slip because of a weed patch.

Of course: The immediate problem would be solved if we'd just get a decent amount of rain and some northerly winds for a few days.

Jim

[Cruisingdad]

Originally Posted by Sapperwhite

Do yourself a favor with a winter project and install a nice basket strainer. You get alot of piece of mind for only a little over one boat buck. It beats clogging seagrass into the cooling passages of your engine.

Ditto... and with your problem, the larger the better. Put a scupper on teh outside too.

- CD

[SEMIJim]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

Hmm.. be careful what you wish for, but I'll speak to my personal weather goddess for you.

Yeah, there's a downside to too much wind out of the north (besides the fact it usually means colder, perhaps much colder, weather): Strong enough wind out of the north, for long enough, actually lowers the water level in the canal--which is already gettin' kinda marginal for some of the deeper-draft boats as it is.

Jim

[SEMIJim]

Originally Posted by Cruisingdad

Ditto... and with your problem, the larger the better.

Will do.

Originally Posted by Cruisingdad

Put a scupper on teh outside too.

Is that one of those thru-hulls that's kind of half-egg-shaped with long slots in it on the under-hull bit?

Jim

[SEMIJim]

Originally Posted by Sapperwhite

Do yourself a favor with a winter project and install a nice basket strainer. You get alot of piece of mind for only a little over one boat buck. It beats clogging seagrass into the cooling passages of your engine.

Will do.

That one you've pictured looks like a good-sized unit. Where's that one from?

Thanks,
Jim