Quick way to clean engine intake

[crieders]

The Chesapeake is a messy place. Often I have to remove the engine intake line, unscrew the filter and run a flexible metal wire down and out the boat...then put it all together. I was thinking about putting a Y piece below the filter so that I could access the intake for cleaning without having to remove the filter piece....
Anyone try that?

[scgunner]

Cliff,

By filter I assume you're talking about the strainer (clear plastic w/ S/S screen) above the seacock. You're basically talking about a plumber's clean out. I don't really see any advantage to this setup, rather than just unscrewing the strainer by hand you'll need a wrench to unscrew the threaded cap on the clean out. Either way you're still getting water in the boat.

Living in SoCal kelp is a problem from time to time, sucking it into the intake. First thing I do for a clogged intake is exercise the valve several times, sometimes that's enough to break up the clog. Failing that simply unscrew the strainer open the valve and run a coat hanger type wire or a heavy duty bottle brush through it. You'll get some water in the boat but nothing the bilge pump can't handle. Plus you can clean the strainer while it's off.

[Ron Hill]

cliff : I installed a round bronze strainer in the outside of the hull for the engine intake of raw water. Did that 25?? years ago and have never had to take any "snake" to any thing in that line.

A thought

[Noah]

I have to disagree with Ron on this. Much more chance to have the "holes" in the outside-mounted bronze clamshell foul with debris, binnacles, seaweed, etc. your boat your choice, but I wouldn't do it. Mainesail agrees it is not a good idea.

https://forums.sailboatowners.com/threads/why-i-dislike-like-external-strainers.124964/

[Jon W]

I installed a Vetus FTR140/16 brand strainer mounted slightly above the water line. The top can be opened with the sea cock open and no water spills out. It's a straight line to outside the boat if you need to clear the sea cock.

[Ron Hill]

Noah : I've had 2 jams from hydrilla and one jam from sea grass. I put on that strainer and have NEVER had a jam since. That was over 25 years ago!!

A thought

[KWKloeber]

I have to disagree with Ron on this. Much more chance to have the "holes" in the outside-mounted bronze clamshell foul with debris, binnacles, seaweed, etc. your boat your choice, but I wouldn't do it. Mainesail agrees it is not a good idea.

https://forums.sailboatowners.com/threads/why-i-dislike-like-external-strainers.124964/

Absolutely agree.  More than once I would have been dead in the h2o from grass blocking an external strainer.

[KWKloeber]

Cliff

If plumbed and valve/everything sized correctly one can install a Tee so that one can use a wooden dowel that is the correct OD so that it slides past the open thru hull ball valve to clear it.  The tee can he just above waterline. 

Another option is to screw a hose or pipe into a tee only when you need it to bring the top above the waterline.

I've done it (temporarily) with a length of hose on the seacock and sliding a dowel down inside and down thru the ball valve.

My point is, there are different ways to do it. 

Ken

[Ted Pounds]

Cliff

If plumbed and valve/everything sized correctly one can install a Tee so that one can use a wooden dowel that is the correct OD so that it slides past the open thru hull ball valve to clear it.  The tee can he just above waterline. 

Another option is to screw a hose or pipe into a tee only when you need it to bring the top above the waterline.

I've done it (temporarily) with a length of hose on the seacock and sliding a dowel down inside and down thru the ball valve.

My point is, there are different ways to do it. 

Ken

In conjunction with that T you can add an external strainer attached with just a bead of caulk.  In the unlikely event that the external strainer is fouled you can use that same dowel and T to pop it off. 😎

[Ron Hill]

In conjunction with that T you can add an external strainer attach[ed with just a bead of caulk.  In the unlikely event that the external strainer is fouled you can use that same dowel and T to pop it off. 😎[/quote]

I wrote that up in the Mainsheet tech notes, did it and have never had to pop the strainer OFF!!         
I've hear of some people that have attached the dink pump and blown out a clog!!

A few thoughts

[Ted Pounds]

In conjunction with that T you can add an external strainer attach[ed with just a bead of caulk.  In the unlikely event that the external strainer is fouled you can use that same dowel and T to pop it off. 😎

I wrote that up in the Mainsheet tech notes, did it and have never had to pop the strainer OFF!!         
I've hear of some people that have attached the dink pump and blown out a clog!!

A few thoughts

[/quote]

I thought that was your idea.  But when you didn't mention it on the thread I figured I should.  😉

[Jeff Tancock]

I'm in the Pacific NW and occasionally get seaweed clogging in the intake. First time it was overboard into the chilly waters to pull the weeds out! Very unpleasant but no time to think about it.
After some thought I found a 6" piece of hose that I can put over the fitting for the hose that goes from the strainer to engine and also fits over the end of my dingy foot pump. It needed a bit of duct tape to tighten the fit. Now when it plugs (about once every year or two) I grab my foot pump and the hose from it's spot beside the strainer. I pull the engine intake hose and replace it with the hose and foot pump, stomp on it and its clears quick and easy. Sometimes it takes a good hard stomp but always works...

[crieders]

I checked into Jon's idea of the Vetus 2 but Vetus does not make such a model. could it be the 140? does anyone know the input in L/min and internal hose size? Thanks

[Jon W]

Hi Cliff. The "Vetus 2" in the photo is my name for the photo. It has nothing to do with the model number of the strainer.

The strainer in the photo is a Vetus FTR 140/16 which is for a 5/8" inlet and discharge hose. It has been working fine. I am considering changing to a Vetus FTR 140/19 which is for a 3/4" hose and to change my 1/2" raw water flanged seacock to a 3/4" flanged seacock at my next haulout in a year or two.

[waughoo]

Jon,

Keep us posted on your thru-hull fitting change.  I've felt the raw eater thru-hull could benefit from upsizing for better flow.