Alex F
Well-Known Member
- Nov 14, 2006
- 9,167
- Boat Info
- 2005 420DB with AB 11 DLX Tender, Raymarine Electronics (2x12" MFDs) with Vesper AIS
- Engines
- Cummins 450Cs, 9KW Onan Generator, 40HP Yamaha for tender.
Couple of weeks ago I had strange thing happened. Both of my scoop strainers got clogged twice in the same day.
First time it happened, the boat lost performance and wouldn’t go over 4000RPMs. I went away from busy area, stopped and put her in reveres. Then, I shut the engines for a minute. This worked fine until sometime later while cruising in the ICW channel I felt like we hit something (like hidden huge seaweed). I’ve noticed different sound from the engines but they performed just fine. Knowing that I have only 10-15 left into the trip I just kept going. When we got to the anchoring spot I cleaned the sea strainers (they looked like they needed to be cleaned) and decided to inspect my scoop strainers. When I dove down under the boat I was shocked to see how much seaweed had been in both scoop strainers blocking the water flow. I had to do few dives to ensure that all is clean.
This made me think about scenario of travelling in colder season (fall or early spring) when water temps range in 50s. I don’t think I would like to dive in that water to clean the scoop strainers. But, on the other hand I can’t think of any other way to get the seaweed out of there. Does anyone know a trick that allows you to stay dry and accomplish this successfully?
Thanks,
Alex.
First time it happened, the boat lost performance and wouldn’t go over 4000RPMs. I went away from busy area, stopped and put her in reveres. Then, I shut the engines for a minute. This worked fine until sometime later while cruising in the ICW channel I felt like we hit something (like hidden huge seaweed). I’ve noticed different sound from the engines but they performed just fine. Knowing that I have only 10-15 left into the trip I just kept going. When we got to the anchoring spot I cleaned the sea strainers (they looked like they needed to be cleaned) and decided to inspect my scoop strainers. When I dove down under the boat I was shocked to see how much seaweed had been in both scoop strainers blocking the water flow. I had to do few dives to ensure that all is clean.
This made me think about scenario of travelling in colder season (fall or early spring) when water temps range in 50s. I don’t think I would like to dive in that water to clean the scoop strainers. But, on the other hand I can’t think of any other way to get the seaweed out of there. Does anyone know a trick that allows you to stay dry and accomplish this successfully?
Thanks,
Alex.