[Sentoa] Sea Strainers

[John Cook]

Mike and Tom,

For what it's worth, I flush my main engine and genset every time I  
leave the boat by simply hooking up a hose from my fresh water supply  
onboard to those fittings atop the seawater strainers, close the  
seacocks, and start the engines. They suck freshwater from my tanks,  
flush out the seawater, and I shut down after two or three minutes.  
This also works great to empty my water tanks in the fall. I would  
advise using a clear see-through hose from the tanks so you can see  
when you run out of water. I just put in a tee and ball valves near my  
domestic water pump to gain easy access to the fresh water. I do not  
use the electric pump during this procedure.
This system eliminates the problem of applying high pressure water to  
your engine cooling systems, and having to regulate it, and making  
sure the engine is running, etc.....

John Cook
Morning Mist 32066
Valdez Alaska


On Mar 7, 2009, at 9:26 AM, Thomas Mapes wrote:

> Mike:
>
> The fittings on your raw water strainers were made by a company no  
> longer in business called Thoroflush and are designed to flush your  
> engine with fresh water.  The important instructions on how to use  
> them may be somewhere in your "Tug Book."  I recommend that you not  
> attempt to use them until you learn how because the engine(s) need  
> to be running at idle during the flushing process.  You may be able  
> to find more info on the internet.  The former owner, Rich Lorch,  
> used them on a regular basis so he could leave the boat sitting with  
> fresh water in the cooling system.
>
> You will need to purchase a water pressure regulator to reduce the  
> water at your hose bib to 35psi.  They can be found at most marine  
> and rv stores.  You will also need a good heavy duty water hose as  
> plastic hoses will collapse when used with the main engine.
>
> The tops unscrew just like any other raw water strainer so you can  
> clean the screen, etc.  If you do not want to deal with the valves,  
> the original strainer caps are probably on the boat somewhere or you  
> can buy replacements.
>
> Tom Mapes
> Buddy Boy
> 42-53
> Marina del Rey
>
> From: m-cox at speakeasy.net
> To: sentoa at lists.samurai.com
> Date: Fri, 6 Mar 2009 15:22:44 -0800
> Subject: [Sentoa] Sea Strainers
>
> How does one clean the sea strainers on the main and genset?  Also,  
> I have brass taps with hose fittings and ball valves at the top of  
> each strainer.  Can these be used to flush the strainers?  Any  
> special instructions/care required to use them or do you just  
> connect the hose and fire away?
>
> Mike Cox
> Sea Racer 42-041
>
>
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