Seastrainer needed to stop a slug of sand...
 

I found out the hard way that a IMCO lower will not tolerate brushing over a sandbar. It picked up so much sand the pump pushed sand into my intercooler, heat exhanger, then plugged the 1 1/4" line on the output side of the pump. It took me hours to get the lines off and blow them all out- then I had 2" of sand in my bilge to get out. What a mess. I don't want to do that again, and there no avoiding shallow sandy areas around VA beach.

I know sea strainers don't block sand, but if they will catch a big slug of it so it won't clog my lines, that's better than nothing.

I don't need a $600 fancy model either- no beauty contest going on in my bildge. I found some cheaper models, but don't know how well they work.

Groco makes a brass and glass one for $140. Don't know how it comes apart though.

I also found this Sherwood unit for $42- and it has a removeable lower bowl which might work best for getting sand out of the unit. Looks small in the picture though.

The rexmar unit has a fitting for my pressure blowoff feeding the intercooler- avoids the "t" in my line. I just don't know if having the input and output fittings in the bottom of the strainer is a good idea to try and stop sand. It's $399.

What do you all think?

I'd like to avoid a through transom pickup if at all possible. Less holes in my boat.

I did some more research and it looks the new ARG groco is the unit to get. Last forever and easy to service. The next question is to go with 1" npt or 1 1/4npt for the 1 1/4" hose barbs?

I use the Perko system similar to the Graco. The taller the better. Keeps the sand further away from the pump side line.
They are a must for a deep water pick up.

Jim

Thanks. I ordered the 1 1 /4" greko model. $165!!!

zimm - I need one also. Where did you order yours from ?

Thanks !!

www.go2marine.com

it shipped the day I ordered it.

Thank you for the link !!