Coolant Conundrum

[Kenneth K]

Ken, how has your thinking about these systems developed in the past four years? Solidified? Changed?

Most of what I know about exhaust systems in general came from this excellent article:

Cool, Quiet, and Trouble Free Exhaust | Good Old Boat

goodoldboat.com

Like the article says, many of the recommended practices described just aren't possible in small sailboats. Then, compromises have to be made. Ultimately, there's no ONE right way to skin the cat.

 

[Prairie Schooner]

Thanks Ken. I'll dive into that.

In the meantime, on further research, I think I should use a descaler instead of Barnacle Buster, which is geared more for removing mineral deposits from salt water and organic life, ie, the raw water system. Trac's Descaler is designed for a "closed loop cooling system".

TRAC Descaler | Scale Remover | Drew Marine Trac Ecological

TRAC's Descaler®, concentrate & premixed, are biodegradable solutions that remove residues caused by freshwater without using any harsh acids.

www.trac-online.com

Trac Ecological Barnacle Buster | Descalers | Drew Marine Trac Ecological

Trac Ecological Barnacle Buster is a safe and biodegradable marine scale remover formulated to meet an industry need for cleaning seawater-cooled equipment.

www.trac-online.com

This video includes a casual interview with the former owner of the company that developed Barnacle Buster. His comments are more informative than the website. There's a lot of content in the video which is too-cute fluff for my interest. The following sections were the most informative for me.
3:45-7:30 - Intro flush device, BB explained
17:00-18:30 - Device in operation
Barnacle Buster Engine Cooling Therapy