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 Dave Bolding |
Engine Water Inlet |
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Posts: 44 05/15/06 19:14:00 |
I have been wondering what others do when their water cooling inlet becomes blocked by kelp or whatever. I've heard that if you have dive tanks on board you can blow the blockage free. Sailing in So. Calif., the kelp can be very trouble some at times. This hasn't happened to me yet but I want to have a plan if it does.
Dave Bolding, #462/2 cabin, Main Squeeze, Ventura CA
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bob776 |
Re: Engine Water Inlet | #1 | ||
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Posts: 115 05/16/06 05:22:04 |
Many older boats (sail and power) have a metal grate that covers the intake hole. This should prevent kelp from entering the intake, although kelp may stick against it due to the suction, but it will easier to clear.
Bob #776 |
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azure42 |
re: Engine Water Inlet | #2 | ||
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Posts: 304 05/19/06 17:58:59 |
Dave,
Since you've retired (congratulations!), I'm sure they've taken away your fire axe....too bad, otherwise you could chop a hole in the bottom and reach outside to clear away the sea grass....lol. We came through lots of grass and kelp along the coast....especially in Morro Bay. The main thing is to keep an eye on the clear top of your seawater intake strainer. If you see too much stuff floating, it's time to open it up and clear the crap out (take it from me -- don't forget to close the main intake thru-hull first). If you think the outside of the metal grate is stopped up, turn off your engine and drift for a few minutes. That should wash away anything on the outside. Along this note -- the worst thing you can suck up in the intake is jelly fish tentacles. If you do, wear rubber dishwashing gloves to clear the inside of the strainer. Say 'hi' to Donna from us! Rod Williams
Azure, #343, 2-cabin Alameda/San Francisco Bay, CA. |
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ernieapril |
Re: Engine water lnlet | #3 | ||
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Posts: 40 05/22/06 10:48:36 |
Hi, Dave-
I assume that you have a foot pump on board for your inflatable. Close the seacock, remove the cooling water hose. Insert the nozzel of the foot pump into the fitting. Open the seacock and stomp on the foot-pump bellow. You will hear an imediate wooshing and gurggle of bubbles as the glog is blown out. Close the seacock. You may need to send a puff back through the hose into the strainer bowl before re-attaching. All in less than 5 minutes. Ernie April WindCatcher (618, 3C, WK) |
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ragtime |
clogged thruhulls | #4 | ||
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Posts: 131 05/22/06 10:59:20 |
I use the foot pump in a similar fashion to blow out the sink drains when they seem to be draining too slow. I just wrap a rag around the hose and hold it in the drain. Then I stomp on the pump. It won't blow out a barnacle, but it does an adequate job on slime and debris.
Gerry Ragtime C42 #108 |
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