Opinions? - Marelon MF810 water strainer
- Thread starter Nick F
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Comodave
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Why would you want to get rid of the bronze ones? Are they broken? What volume does the Marelon strainer hold compared to the bronze ones?
mvweebles
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While no experience with the Marelon strainer, I've given up on Marelon valves due to breakage issues with valve handles. I am okay using Marelon mushroom thru-hulls above waterline, and the vented loops are fine. But I shy away from anything with two or more parts.
What problem are you trying to solve? Weight is down low so not an issue. Guessing your old ones are original to the boat and have lasted at least 48-years which is impressive when you think about it. I know bronze fittings are expensive, but they do last. And if you're near a marine salvage store, you can often find used ones.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
Peter
What problem are you trying to solve? Weight is down low so not an issue. Guessing your old ones are original to the boat and have lasted at least 48-years which is impressive when you think about it. I know bronze fittings are expensive, but they do last. And if you're near a marine salvage store, you can often find used ones.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
Peter
helm
Senior Member
We had those strainers on our Lindell 36. The reason for had is the design, they are bottom in and side out, but the inlet side is obstructed by the molded in supports for the threads that will retain the center bolt on that knurled knob.
So if you are in an area with long stringy weeds they will not make it into your strainer and simply jam up your inlet hose above the thru hull - not a lot of fun.
On the delta we deal with Brazilian water weed which is a menace. I took out the marelon strainers and replaced them with Arctic Steel bottom in side out strainers which have worked great for our engines. We put an external strainer on our generator thru hull and kept the marelon strainer in that location. If you really decide to go with the Forespar strainers PM me I have a couple you could buy.
Best advice, keep what you have if it works.
Best
Eric
So if you are in an area with long stringy weeds they will not make it into your strainer and simply jam up your inlet hose above the thru hull - not a lot of fun.
On the delta we deal with Brazilian water weed which is a menace. I took out the marelon strainers and replaced them with Arctic Steel bottom in side out strainers which have worked great for our engines. We put an external strainer on our generator thru hull and kept the marelon strainer in that location. If you really decide to go with the Forespar strainers PM me I have a couple you could buy.
Best advice, keep what you have if it works.
Best
Eric
Comodave
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That would be my concern too.
helm
Senior Member
We have all Marelon thru hulls and seacocks with zero issues. Never a cracked lid on a strainer which seems like it would be the result of aggressive tightening. The picture however shows the strainers Achilles heal which is obstruction of the inlet by the tripod supports for the lid fastner which causes debris to hang up in the hose and never make it to the strainer basket
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Nick F
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In response to questions about why I dislike the present strainers in my boat:
They are bulky - occupy a lot of space.
They are extremely heavy - although, since my boat is heavy and slow, this is normally not a problem.
The plexiglass tubes are somewhat frosted.
They need new gaskets which I will have to have custom cut from sheet rubber.
I really don´t need the duplex changeover feature.
I have to re-locate the strainers anyhow to give myself more battery space.
They are old and grungy looking. A previous owner has covered them with a type of preserving vaseline that looks like ghostbuster slime.
To clean the strainer requires dumping the water and removing the plexiglass tube - you cannot just lift the basket out.
Yes, they are bronze and will last another 100 years (they look like they belong on the Nautilus with Capt. Nemo).
Ya - de - ya - de - ya . . .
They are bulky - occupy a lot of space.
They are extremely heavy - although, since my boat is heavy and slow, this is normally not a problem.
The plexiglass tubes are somewhat frosted.
They need new gaskets which I will have to have custom cut from sheet rubber.
I really don´t need the duplex changeover feature.
I have to re-locate the strainers anyhow to give myself more battery space.
They are old and grungy looking. A previous owner has covered them with a type of preserving vaseline that looks like ghostbuster slime.
To clean the strainer requires dumping the water and removing the plexiglass tube - you cannot just lift the basket out.
Yes, they are bronze and will last another 100 years (they look like they belong on the Nautilus with Capt. Nemo).
Ya - de - ya - de - ya . . .
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Comodave
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I would probably get rid of those odd looking strainers but would go back with some other bronze ones.
I had that exact strainer in my last boat. It’s a really excellent unit, and will indeed last forever. I lapped mine when I was refitting the boat and it worked like new. Price a new one and you’ll gain some respect for it.
Maybe you can work a trade with someone for a small one.
I was thinking it was an older groco strainer. They still make duplex strainers but I couldn’t find a horizontal format, here’s a link to the modern iteration from fisheries website.
https://www.fisheriessupply.com/groco-vd-series-vertical-duplex-bronze-strainers
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Nick F
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Thanks Bmarler - must indeed be early Groco. I just looked at the Groco site and their full name is "Gross Mechanical Laboratories". This same Gross name is on the casting of my unit. The current design has the removeable basket - which answers one of my complaints regarding my early units.
C lectric
Guru
Why not contact Groco. Send a photo of your current unit. Maybe they can suggest an update for your unit and a better setup for the glass removal.
There are still three mfgrs. of high quality bronze strainers like this, Groco, Buck Algonquin, Perko which is what mine is.
Take a look at their offerings before chucking what you have.
As for the frosted sight glasses they can be polished or simply replaced. I replaced my Perko sight glass with 4" diam x 1/4" wall acrylic tubes
San Juan Engineering , now Orca Marine used to make a pancake bronze strainer with a clear polycarbonate lid held with a single stud. Try them for a pancake type strainer.
Custom Design & Assembly of Marine Heat Exchanger & Cooling Systems - Orca
Yes I like the bronze items.
There are still three mfgrs. of high quality bronze strainers like this, Groco, Buck Algonquin, Perko which is what mine is.
Take a look at their offerings before chucking what you have.
As for the frosted sight glasses they can be polished or simply replaced. I replaced my Perko sight glass with 4" diam x 1/4" wall acrylic tubes
San Juan Engineering , now Orca Marine used to make a pancake bronze strainer with a clear polycarbonate lid held with a single stud. Try them for a pancake type strainer.
Custom Design & Assembly of Marine Heat Exchanger & Cooling Systems - Orca
Yes I like the bronze items.
mickand
Senior Member
I agree with Helm's comment - the entry is easily blocked and is a pain to clear. I fitted a Marelon for my gen due to lack of space for a Groco - I tolerate it but can't recommend it as it clogs too easily in 'grassy' areas. I normally have to remove the strainer to clear as it 'packs' grass tightly in the narrow neck.
Lostsailor13
Senior Member
Recently installed a new 1 1/2 Perko bronze sea strainer and raw water intake pump,was pretty costly but so worth it,don’t cheap out and install that crappy plastic thing
