Sea Strainer

[kaisetsail]

Hey y'all, I have a 1989 Ericson 34-2 and am searching for my sea strainer. Any suggestions on where it might be? I've looked under the galley sink next to the water pump and it's not there. Thanks!

 

[Afrakes]

It's possible that the boat didn't come with one.

 

[Loren Beach]

Data Point: our '88 boat did not come with a sea strainer (for engine water intake), and I added a Groco one, and also installed a ForeSpar engine intake thru hull with the 3 way valving, that allows a hose to be attached so that antifreeze can be pulled thru to winterize the raw water side all the way back to the transom. It's very handy, if you boat where freezing is a threat.

 

[bigd14]

On my 34-2 the sea strainer is behind the galley door, but it’s tucked way back to port nearly invisible. You have to remove the drawer to access it.

 

[Prairie Schooner]

Hey y'all, I have a 1989 Ericson 34-2 and am searching for my sea strainer. Any suggestions on where it might be? I've looked under the galley sink next to the water pump and it's not there. Thanks!

If your system does not have a strainer I highly recommend adding one. This is what I found in our old strainer after a couple months.


Some folks write that their local conditions have no vegetation and don't see a need for a strainer. It seems to me that a stray strip of plastic wrapping or other detritus could make for a very bad situation, including an over heated engine. Litterbugs are everywhere.

When I redid our cooling and exhaust system I replaced the strainer with a bigger model and relocated it. This is introduced in post #96 of my thread about the project. Some good alternative approaches by others follow in the thread.

Our final installation is shown in post #192. The argument for placing the strainer above the waterline was convincing for me. On the other hand, I never heard a good rationale to justify the expense of a bronze strainer. When winterizing, I close the seacock, take the cap off the strainer, and pour anti-freeze into the open strainer until the exhaust water is solidly the color of the a-f. Though, I see you are in NOLA so that's likely not a concern for you.

Let us know what you find. It will help others who may have a similar situation. Photos are always very helpful.