Sailing Umavideo
Our New Raw Water System Failed. So We Built a Better One | Step 481
April 5, 2026 · 33 min · 104K views
What this video covers
A sailboat refit project requires consolidating multiple raw water intakes into a single, bulkhead-mounted manifold system to improve safety and simplify maintenance.0:17 The installation centers on a raw water strainer located below the waterline, necessitating a robust, pressure-tested housing.1:14 Initial attempts using a stainless steel Vetus strainer failed during pressure testing when the non-captive neoprene gasket expanded and leaked at approximately 20 to 30 PSI.9:39 A subsequent upgrade to a solid cast bronze Guidi strainer provided the required reliability, featuring a captive O-ring channel and a Lexan cover.15:49 The transition to bronze components required a complete redesign of the cockpit locker plumbing layout to accommodate different inlet and outlet orientations while maintaining a compact footprint.17:35 The system supports three distinct pumps for HVAC, watermaking, and saltwater washdown.0:34 Successful pressure testing at 60 PSI confirmed the integrity of the new bronze manifold and fittings, though the reconfiguration remains an ongoing challenge due to space constraints and the length of bronze plumbing components.20:56
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