I agree with the past few posts. I was considering installing an external strainer but, after discovering a veritable Bouillabaisse nesting comfortably in my thru hull one day (literally ceasing all seawater flow) after not using the boat for a couple of weeks, I decided against it. I keep the bottom half of a thin plastic kids fishing rod aboard as a tool to clean out the thru hull - it is useful to avoid scratching up the seacock in the process as opposed to something metal. This would all be virtually impossible if there were an external strainer. One other small and inexpensive tip: I also keep a spare run of hose aboard, sized to fit between the thru hull and the Groco seawater strainer. Given that this particular hose receives more frequent stress due to removal and replacement when the thru hull inevitably gets clogged once or twice per season, I figured it couldn¡¯t hurt to have a spare just in case it breaks.
?
Richard Papert
S/V Zenith S402/007
Marblehead, MA
