Sea Water Strainer

[joub]

My engine sea water strainer is located about 8" above the waterline. After cleaning the strainer, I often lose the pump prime and have trouble getting the system back in operation.

I''ve made inquires as to the height of the strainer in other boats and have learned that some strainers are mounted above the waterline and some are below.

Below the waterline seems good in that you wouldn''t lose your prime when cleaning, but there must be reasons for locating it above the waterline as some are installed that way.

Anyone care to shed some light on the pro''s and con''s of the sea water strainer''s height?

TIA

Jim

[peterpan2k]

Hi
If you have a seacock that is easy to access then there is a good reason to lower the filter to remidy the effect of air lock. However if you don''t! It could get a bit hairy when the water starts to flood in and you can''t stop it.
On second thought! Your raw water pump impeller might be throughly worn out. I have Jabsco pumps that are at least a foot above the water line and never have a problem unless the impellers are shot. They''re not hard to repair.
Jim

[thomasstone]

Jim, this is the first time I have ever heard of the raw water losing prime. I used to have my strainer about even with the water line then the hose went about another three feet up to the pump which was about 18 inches above the water.I never had a problem. I am refitting right now and have moved my sea-**** to a different place and now my strainer is about the same height as the pump and when I run the motor on the hard with the hose in the bucket in the cabin even lower the pump starts sucking right away. I would check for air leaks or like peter pan said check your impellar.-thomas