I guess it is time for sea strainers on the outlaw.

Picked up a bunch of small gravel looking stuff while in Jacksonville, Florida back in September. Clogged the speedo tube and had to clean out the sea water pump on the starboard engine.

Flushed the engines night before last only to fine that after this last trip to Florida (same area), that I had lost both impellers.

I was planning on rebuilding the pumps anyway, already have the parts. Just concerns me that in two trips I have two problems. Just a heads up for you guys like me that are not regular boaters in this area.

The real problem is at the launch ramp we used in Jacksonville, Arlington Marina. It is shallow and this stuff is just piled up there.
The guys with pickups on the transom and sea strainers seem to be OK.

Be careful while in this area guys.

FL Rule #1: Keep out of the shallows!

Not to make light of your situation, Mark, but it's just one of those things you learn to accept down here. I've gone through my fair share of impellors already, too. Sea strainers are your best friend in these parts. The good thing is that it's just sand and not rocks and tree stumps...

I know what you mean, though, about the ramps...It's difficult to find a good deep ramp. And it's not because they're not paved deep enough, just that the tidal bottoms move around so much. I've seen depths change in some areas by 4-5 feet from one week to the next(same tide level) and sand bars move 100s of yards in a month.

BTW, I'm very anxious to see your aerial photos! I'll bet you look great getting some air!

Thanks for the input Daze.

Both times the problems happened while loading the boat. Like you say, the waters are shallow. I was only getting a 2.9 foot reading at the end of the dock?

There is a travel lift only about ten miles from this marina. I am going to look into it and see what they charge. It would be worth it for a little piece of mind.

As for the pictures, I cannot wait either. I hope Stu doesn't waste much time getting them out.

Thanks
Mark

Ya, that'll explain it. Do you have the low water pickup bravos? They're the biggest pain in the azz.

Mark:
I put the Gil Marine sea strainer in my 24 Outlaw half-way through last season when I lost my raw water pump. I'm the poor slob that had a 10 Hr. R&R in my driveway. The SS screen inside has holes approx. 1/16 in dia. so it won't do anything for sand or other muck.

I've stuck my boat 3 times this past month here in TX. Our lakes (and I use that term loosly) are dropping like rocks. As such, I've backed out of a lot of mud. Each time I open the engine hatch to watch for water flow. It's been there (mud and all) but clears up instantly when back in the deep waters. By the way, after a season of boating this year, I haven't had but a pebble on top of the screen.

I'm changing the impeller when I winterize in a few weeks.

Bruce...