[C320-list] Raw water intake thru-hull

[Rick Sulewski]

I have followed this raw water intake problem because over the years as I
experienced several occasions that required me to get wet and pull off a
ball of sea grass/weeds that managed to be partially sucked into the intake.


I have used several methods described in this thread, but there are times
when I had to put on the flippers and mask to remove the blockage. This
summer one blockage was so bad that I had to pull off the ball of weeds
because the roots found a way to be lodged in the intake. Another time this
season I found that some long tweezers did the trick when the blockage
occurred at the 90 degree turn on the thru hull fitting. 

This spring I plan to attach a thin grate with not more than a 1/4 inch
spacer between the grate and the hull, and preferably mounted as a screw on
or snap off screen, on the order of a shower or sink drain cover, but with
tightly spaced small holes.

I need to keep the larger pieces of seaweed/grass from entering the intake
so that anything that becomes attached by the intake suction would be
balanced against the turbulence of the prop and speed on the hull to remove
the grass/weeds. On my hull the intake is located right above the prop shaft
and near the point where the shaft exits the hull leaving very little room
to attach anything.

Has anyone attached some type of intake screen to the hull?

Would like to know what works best.

Thanks

My-Ria 277



-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com] On Behalf Of John Frost
Sent: Tuesday, December 18, 2007 6:37 PM
To: 'C320-List'
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Raw water intake thru-hull

I've heard that a compressed air can from an air horn is good for this. Just
push the hose into the neck of the horn till it makes good contact and most
of the blast will go down the hose.

John 
2007 C320 MKII, Hull # 1118
Lake Guntesville, AL

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com] On Behalf Of R Airis
Sent: Tuesday, December 18, 2007 3:38 PM
To: C320-List
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Raw water intake thru-hull

I cleared a blockage in the thru-hull by blowing it out with my dingy air 
pump. Just undo the hose off the strainer and pump in the air .


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Gene Musante" <gmusante at msn.com>
To: "Catalina, 320 intl" <c320-list at catalina320.com>
Sent: Tuesday, December 18, 2007 6:58 AM
Subject: [C320-list] Raw water intake thru-hull


I check my raw water strainer every time I go out.  Seems like warmer water 
temperatures are causing more marine growth, especially late in the New 
England season. (August-October)

Last year, I had a severe weed clog in the thru-hull fitting that caused 
complete blockage.  I was able to clear the clog by removing the hose from 
the thru hull and rotating a couple of tie wraps through the fitting until 
the sea weed cleared.  Beats having to get into cold water and work from 
below.Gene Musante  617-755-0680  gmusante at msn.com=