Should I run strainers or not, I have seen a few guys with raw water pick ups and strainers get elbow deep in weeds cleaning and back flushing. What a nightmare, I've never had strainers, but I came in to a pair, should I think about incorporating them in even though I am using my Bravo gear case pick up? I do run an oil cooler. Thoughts??

A seastrainer is way better then with out.

Once the $hit gets in the cooler its tuff and on the water almost imposible to clean or backflush,with a strainer u shut off the valve (put one infront of the stariner !!!) then open the strainer and clean it out . Close it and run the boat again.

Same thing ,,,is it better to wear a lifevest ???? it will not garanty that u live longer ,,but it def. helps !!!!!!

DD's right.

You get crap into that cooler and it could be over with.
Weeds floating debris and other garbage can get sucked up pretty easily.

The also act as a buffer to keep the sea pump wet during wave jumping

I prefer the type that have a hand removable tops to using tools

Keep the hose length as short as possible so as not to let the impeller run dry on start up and you should be good.

Invest in the integrated flush kit and clean up is a breeze no more muffs to screw around with.

Real cheap insurance ! If you have them put them on. you will be surprized at how much sh!t they stop from going into the engine and coolers. All it takes is one weed to plug up the pump and you are having a really bad day . Been there ! Jeff

Can weeds get past the screens on the Bravo gear case pick ups? Is it common for boats with Bravo Drives to run Strainers too?

Can I jump in on the Sea Strainer thread with an additional question. I assume with a Bravo install the Sea Strainer is put in the hose line coming from the Bravo, Then plumbed up to the input side of the sea water pump. I have considered putting them in as well but didn't have a great option for running the lines without a few 90 degree bends. Does that matter much for flow pulling the water through the strainer as well.

YEP,,,doesen't matter what drive or pickup u got !!!

Don,t forget to put a valve in between the drive and strainer,,,if the hose gets a hole u sink without a valve.

Through hull water pick ups are below water line so thats why you need the immediate shut off valve right? But Bravo Drive pick up comes through the transom assembly above the water line, so no shut off valve needed right?

Sea strainers mounted below water line still could not start a syphon of into the water because they are above lower gear case pick up, right?

This sounds like you want to get this right or you sink!

The strainers should be mounted as low as you can get in the boat . With that said they WILL syphon into the boat that is why you need a valve on the intake side of the strainer. you shut the valve off to clean them out .