Is a strainer necessary?
 

I've always fed the engines through the drives to the raw water pumps without strainers. Now I'm changing to through hull fittings to the pump. I have strainers on the innercoolers that are fed by through hull fittings and have never seen anything in them.
Better safe than sorry?
Does the pump draw up more debris?

It really depends on what is in the water. Most of us around the Bay do not have to run strainers and don't have an issue. But when we ran the boats down in the Keys, the ones without strainers kept drawing in sea grass and trashing water pump impellers. If you have floating vegetation then a strainer will help. Another reason to run a big strainer is as a water reserve when the boat flies. It is a basically a bucket of water that helps keep the water pump fed when the boat is in the air.

I understand the reserve. Flying and reserve water wasn't a problem before. Whenever I landed I'd always stop because the drive was busted. Is that what Bravos are for? Engine protection?
With the new set up I hope to fly more often without stopping in between so I guess I'd better add them.

After owning a boat with strainers I will never own one again without. Seaweed while your running and sand if you venture into shallow areas. Saved my a$$ a few times. Worth the money IMO

guess we could call that SERIOUS air time protection. LOL...

And if not you be Sunkin. :lolhit:

I never had one before my current boat and never had issues. Now that I have one, I like the fact that it makes it easier to flush the motor. My strainer has a hose fitting on the top.

What about an air bleed in the strainer? Good, bad, better, indifferent?

interesting post,as i was thinking about installing one,too

Teague has the pressure relief valves :drink:




ROCK ON !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:coolcowboy:
ITS A SKATER NATION !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:drink:

:cool:Yes good addition! Have a few old style wing nut ones from when I changed if your interested?I have M/M strainers now!:cool:

i guess a good design shouldn't make any restriction?
got pics,P I?

Ran IMCO SC's on a 35 Fountain with no strainer. The water intake on the IMCO's was a large rectangle opening on the front of the nose cone, versus Mercurys mutliple smaller holes on the front of the gearcase. When I would back flush the system I would get gravel, and even small shells from the oil cooler because of the IMCO's larger opening. Strainers are a good thing.:drink:

Paradise what do you have for sale?

Definately go with the strainer. Saves alot of headaches, I have sucked up weeds without them. Just easy to plumb one in and forget about it.

I'll install a pressure relief but what about an air bleed at the top of the strainer? Necessary? My innercooler strainer doesn't have one and I can see air in it and the swirling effect at 40MPH. Never looked at WOT though.

I put a picture of mine on your water pump thread but here it is again. I have found that if for some reason the strainer has gone dry that the system will not self prime. Before starting the engine the first time of the day I must watch the strainer for water flow or the gauge for 3-5 psi at idle. If it loses it's prime I simply loosen the wing nuts enough to let it fill. It is below the water line. Yes, if I have to open and clean it on the water I get a few gallons in the bilge but it's not a big deal. I got rid of the pressure relief valve on mine since the closed cooled 525 likes 35-40 psi.
http://i763.photobucket.com/albums/x...s147Medium.jpg

I own 2 boats - one with a strainer- one without.
The one without will be getting a strainer this season.

I recommend a strainer with a single knob that doesnt require any tools to open and close vs a dozen wingnuts or a single bolt with a special wrench.

Pay attention to firing up with a dry strainer as thirdchildhood mentions- it will cost you an impeller if you try it.

Uncle Dave

I have a large KPM for sale that will take 2 engines easily. I just put it back up in the swap thread.

Doesn't sound like anyone uses an air bleed so I guess I wont. Being small it'd probably plug with crap anyways.

My strainers on my 38/700 Fountain has air bleeds from the strainers. Came that way from Fountain

Ok then I'll install them. How large is it?
I'll use 1/2 hose and install an orifice then take the orifice out when I hook the garde.....engine flush hose up for trailer running. Does the air bleed have a one way check valve of sorts to let air/water out but not in?

Do the air bleeds have check valves?
Do they stay and dump below the water line?
What size are they?
Thanks for the input.