Sea Cocks

[Doug in Williamsburg]

Hello to all; I am new to the forum. I am about to buy one of two new R25s. One is an early 2009 model which has the usual sea cocks. The other is a slightly later 2009 and has the new Sea Strainer arrangement which shares the intake and reduces the number of thru-hulls (see the diagram in the Ranger 25 Owners Manual).

Have any problems been reported with the previous arrangement of sea cocks? Is there any reason to shy away from the traditional arrangement? Thanks for your advice.

 

[sparky]

Doug

Welcome aboard!
We have hull 2513 or the 113th R25 built. It is a 2009, delivered last August. We have 3 thru hulls, one for the engine (and head), one for the generator and one for the air conditioner. No problems with any so far.

Sparky
Starry Night
2009 R25
Virginia Beach

 

[Andrew Custis]

There are no problems with either arrangement. The Multiport strainer supplies the engine,head and washdown with only "1" hole through the bottom of the boat. That is the only benefit, in my opinion.

The generator and airconditioner have to each be on their own valve.

With the old setup we didnt have the multiport strainers available so each component that required raw water had its own thru hull.

 

[henrym]

Has anyone tried removing the unused wash down plug from the multi-port strainer and hooking the air conditioner raw water pump up to the multi -port strainer? (This is assuming that the multi-port strainer is below the waterline.) By doing this you would get a much larger and easier to clean strainer for the AC raw water. On a two day trip the small Ranger installed AC filter clogged up four times due to flotsam in the water. Cleaning the presently installed AC strainer is no easy task because you can't see it much less you need a long arm to reach it, and lastly, you have to remove the plastic overflow tank if you have a Cummins engine.\
Henry

 

[captain's cat]

Henry, before you do that, I'd ask Andrew why he said

"The generator and airconditioner have to each be on their own valve. "

Charlie

 

[commander bill]

I have Hull 67 with 3 separate thru hulls. The strainer for the GENSET is not hard to service but the strainer for the AC is a "bear". I would like an answer on the above questions. Specificially I would like to replace the AC strainer with a longer hose connected to the unused washdown fitting on the larger main strainer. Would make life much easier.

 

[Tom Ray]

Charlie, I think the reason Andrew intended to convey was that there wasn't a multiport strainer that they could use, so if something needs water, it would need a dedicated strainer and through hull.

Henry, if you don't use the washdown, I see no reason you couldn't use that outlet for the AC. The strainer looks like it has plenty of flow capacity to supply the engine and AC simultaneously if needed.

 

[henrym]

With a multiport strainer installed, has anyone experienced difficulty pumping water into the head while clipping along at 15± MPH? For some reason the pump on the head loses its prime and is unable to draw raw water up from the strainer....
Henry

 

[bluebayou]

Henry,
Yes, I have noticed many times that the flushing of the head "freezes up," or, doesn't pump, at higher speeds. Of course, being a solo sailor, at those speeds I would then be on auto pilot, and with my hand on the head plunger, instead of the helm, and my line of sight------well, you get the point......usually I am not fiddling with my head at those speeds. By the way, with my Cummins 150, I have clocked 24 mph. It's nice to be able to run away fast from trouble, when you need to, but it's too fast for regular cruising. And, way too fast to be on auto pilot, and back in the head, solo.

 

[commander bill]

I am the guy with the 75 HP Yanmar so I have never had an issue with any type problem while at 15 kts.

 

[sparky]

Yes indeed, at speed over 10 knots the head will not draw water. Andrew suggested keeping a gallon jug of water in the head (maybe under the sink) and use that when you need to add water to the bowl while underway. Works like a charm. 😉

Sparky
2009 R25
Starry Night

 

[Stella Maris]

Andrew obviously missed the obvious. If you need to add water to the head because it won't pump, use the removable shower head.......

 

[Andrew Custis]

The reason that happens if because the engine is taking all of the water for the head as it is plumbed on the multiport strainer. I dont know if we were expecting people to use the head at those speeds. I will copy and paste what I replied to henry about plumbing the AC to the multiport strainer.

 

[Andrew Custis]

This was my reponse.

Henry,

John Livingston and I just talked about this. We both think it should not run on the multiport strainer. The problem we can see is not taking water from the engine, since the engine is impeller driven. The problem would be if you are running at higher rpm or speeds the air conditioner (diaphragm pump) will not be able to get water as the engine is going to be sucking most of it. Otherwise wouldn't be a bad idea.