Sea Strainer Baskets

[JLR]

In the course of winterizing this boat for the first time, I discovered that I had no baskets in the sea strainers for the engines. I then recalled, that the prior owner had put South Bay strainers on the outside of the hull. Although I do not boat in a sandy or shallow water area at all, I was wondering whether it is necessary to lay out the money for baskets (which I understand cost way more than they should). Any thoughts as to whether they are necessary? I can only presume the boat has been run for the past ten years without them.

 

[Paul45c]

I'm not familiar with the "South Bay" product you cite, but if your external hullbottom strainers are a mesh say only slightly larger holed than a typical strainer basket, you're good to go and don't need the strainers inside. If they're basically just the longitudinal bars over the highspeed pickup for the seacock, you still need some kind of strainer.

I've been flirting with the mesh-type screens on the hullbottoms, but I'm worried that they'll clog up some -- even minor growth on those would really impede water flow. I understand most new boats are coming with that type now, obviating the need for bulky strainer containers in the ER. That would be a nice plus with a sportfish of my size.

 

[StratPlan61]

Baskets inside the strainers in the ER are pretty handy to clean out and also 'eliminate variables' when hunting down high tempertures, etc. I'd rather pop into the ER and mess around with a messy strainer than pop over the side to check for a 'possible' clogged water pickup. I also keep a spare basket hanging in the ER for those emergency cleanouts when time and weather dictate urgency. Just my .02 worth? Of course the water can be pretty frisky up here in the Lakes - anytime of year, most of you don't have that issue.

Bear'
1984 61' MY Strategic Plan