How long do you think this will hold?

[djousset]

Raw water intake McGyver fix

[Sailmonkey]

That’ll work as long as it needs to. But will fail if the replacement parts are purchased and not immediately installed. It’s the way of Murphy.

[Spot]

Diane, in my world safety wire + hose clamp is a Cadillac solution


Did the swinging bolt/stud thingie break on the one side? Hopefully it can be spares rather than a new unit. Probably want to do both of them and a fresh gasket.

[mvweebles]

Question: How did it break?

Seems like it should hold for a long time. Nice workaround. An example of necessity being mother of invention

Good luck. Stay dry.

Peter

[Bellinghamster]

Seeing that sure makes me glad I recently decided to relocate my sea strainer so the top is a couple inches above static waterline!

Did the bolt break? If so, it shouldn't be hard to cut the head off a bolt and drill a hole through it for a roll pin (assuming you have a vice, hacksaw, drill and some spare bolts on board).

It looks like it'll hold for awhile, but may not have enough "downforce" on the cover to keep it from leaking. Might let water out, which is obvious, or air in which is less obvious and can cause engine cooling problems. I'd definitely be closing the raw water intake seacock when not running the engine

[jimbunyard]

In my experience with those type strainers, the cover has to be tight to seal effectively.

As I don't see how much tension can be put on the broken side, my concern wouldn't be how long it lasts (not long), but what happens when you start pulling in air around the loose side, potentially loosing suction and overheating the engine.

If the weather's good, maybe easy enough to stop and fix, but if it's bad or there are other extenuating circumstances?

Shouldn't be too hard to modify (drill and hacksaw) a standard carbon steel bolt to use until you can get the proper bronze replacement.

[djousset]

Thx for all to be advice. Seems to be holding well as I wind my way south. But jeeeez..... minor heart attack. Stainless wire twist hold and hose clamp. A nail biter for sure and replacement parts on order. Always learning.....

[jimbunyard]

Well, when one's in transit, one does the best they can with what they've got.

It's working now, you're aware of the problem and it's potential. 'Control' is good...

[s/v Jedi]

I recommend to carry a ClampTite tool aboard, plus a supply of different diameter stainless and Monel wire.

Not only can it do all these kind of emergency repairs, you can also use it for regular hose clamps and never scratch your hand and arms on clamps again.

I do not use it for hoses that I need to remove regularly because you need to cut and replace the wire when clamped with this tool.

https://clamptitetools.com/

[Compass790]

Oh no not another possible air leak!
Looks like a good temp solution to me.

[OldManMirage]

I find that to be a fantastic use of available materials to effect repair of something that would not be expected to break.

Two thumbs way up !

[Bill Seal]

Maybe find a small eyebolt that will fit.

[Spot]

Would it be safe to reason that the issue may have come from over-tightening the cover in the past, perhaps due to a worn gasket?

[Compass790]

Originally Posted by Spot

Would it be safe to reason that the issue may have come from over-tightening the cover in the past, perhaps due to a worn gasket?

Could be but my vote would be electrolysis eating & weakening the bronze.
Old boats, stuff breaks.wears out,deteriorates, it's an ongoing battle.
New boats aren't free of problems either but I know which I'd rather have.

[djousset]

@compass790: air leak.....thats' exactly what I was thinking! I may be guilty of some over-tightening and the unit appears to be quite old.

@s/v jedi: I like the clamptite tool, thx for the tip

I motored through some heavy weather (with the step out and one eye on the strainer). It held beautifully. I will pull it apart at haul out and clean, evaluate and maybe move to a higher location.