Water strainer location and hose routing

[Guilhem]

Hello,
My 1991 42 Grand Banks has the original Groco water strainers that are combined with the intake valves. Those are installed in the front center of the ER, between the two engines, where the bilge pump is also located.
Previous owner had bought, but not installed, two new Guidi valves (this model), and water strainers (that model). I'm now planning the install of those at the next haul out.
Given that they are separate units, I can have the strainers somewhere else than next to the bilge pump. The worker who came over to check and prepare the work suggested to drill and taper the aluminium plate that covers the engine stringer, ahead of the engine (between the front of the engine in the bulkhead) and place the strainers there, with the proper 90° connectors and hoses. This would mean about 40-50 cm hose length (1,5 foot) between the valve and the strainer, and then another 30 cm (1 foot) to the raw water intake pump.


Is it a good idea? Otherwise where and how would you mount them? Do you have pictures of your setup?


Thanks

 

[kapnd]

I like to mount strainers height relative to the waterline, so that the strainer can be opened and the waterline is near the top. No need to shut the seacock to clean, and no need to prime before starting.
The hose lengths don’t matter much, as long as reinforced hose is used, but if it’s a long run, I prefer to use fiberglass tubing.

 

[mvweebles]

First, I have zero familiarity with the brand you cite. I've seen valves like that but not on a boat nothing wrong with them, just never seen one.

My only concern would be having hose of any length between the thru-hull mushroom fitting and the valve. I have never seen hose between the fitting and a valves and would be somewhat concerned about a hose or clamp failure over time as they have a shorter service life than the rigid fittings. If you can figure out the pipe thread (and it doesn't create any issues to make it vulnerable to side-loading), maybe going with rigid nipple/elbow to your valve. But frankly, even though proper seacocks are expensive, I'd bite the bullet and abandon the valve in favor of a Groco bronze seacock

If you decide to go with hose anyway, pop for the expensive non-perforated 316 hose clamps. And of of course the best possible reinforced hose available. I've used Trident.

Mounting the sea strainer on a stringer is common. If at all possible, the entire strainer should be well below waterline. If there's a leak, I'd rather have water leak out vs air leak in.

Here are some decent general articles on mounting and placement.

https://marinehowto.com/category/plumbing/

Peter

 

[Bacchus]

I have had a situation where not only my strainer was plugged with weeds but the thru hull, valve, elbow and hose to the strainer. It was a chore to clean out even with my close mounting. I'm sure it would have reqd removal if the hose was longer.

 

[Guilhem]

Thank you all for your answers. More details.
- I was not planning to have the valve far from the thru-hull. Valve will be mounted directly on the thru-hull, then a length of hose to the strainer. I noted Bacchus comment about the clogging of that section, this would tend to favor a strainer as close as possible to the valve
- well noted also that, the further down the strainer is, the more chances are that, in case of a leak, the system still stays full of water, thus cooling the engine, whereas if the strainer is too high, a leak may mean air intrusion and lack of flow to the engine.
On the picture below, you will see the current setup: black Groco valve/strainer combo. and I've added the new strainer on the engine stringer at the proposed location, pointed to by my finger, port side.