Have read this thread with great interest and noting the differences of opinion.
Have just fitted an external strainer, and boat is now in water, so that is it for this season for sure.
?
Reason for doing so is that last year on exiting an anchorage (with the inevitable harvesting of all kinds of bottom weeds) we had no water throughput and an overheated engine. Had to power off, and go over the side whilst in the middle of the main channel. Fortunately, calm waters and August warmth and little boat traffic allowed me to get away with that. Would not want to do in inclement weather.?
?
Unprotected raw water inlet was totally plugged.? Our previous boat had an external strainer and over 20 years no issues with that.
?
With respect to removing the inlet hose inside the boat and then opening the through-hull to clear a plug, I would be real nervous about doing that in the middle of the lake.
?
The comments about barnacles growing inside though is interesting, and suggests that we may have different solutions depending on the local environment. We are in fresh water.
?
Regards
?
Roy Little
iZula SV 402 / 61
Toronto CANADA
