www.iFourWinns.com

After my fun with ripping open the floor of the 230 to be able to access the gas tank so I could clear the crud out of the bilge drain in the ski locker, I am searching for some good way to filter this opening so I never have to clean it again. I have to park the boat under a tree sometimes and lots of little tree crap can fall into the boat. I think the hole is 1" or so Inner Diameter. I got a sink strainer with fine mesh that fits loosely inside but it won't stay in place on it's own, and gets clogged up to easily and won't allow anything past. I need something that has a good amount of surface area that will catch even pretty small stuff and will stay in place.

Anyone have any really good effective and reliable solutions to this simple problem?? thanks!

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2005 Horizon 230 5.7 GI/DP 280-HP
2005 Suburban "The Battlewagon"

Get a cover from Wally World for $100 keeps everything out!

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2008 H190 Blue W/Red accents 4.3L Merc
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#736

try the filter screen that goes on a 150 cc chinese moped. I think it will fit right in there.

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Four winns 180 horizon

Can you use a filter out of a irrigation system for a garden by any chance???

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Ardy
Adelaide South Australia
Red H180 3.0 Merc

Park somewhere else.

Get a cover... and use it.

I've recently seen a foam mesh block they're selling as insert to household roof rain gutters. Can't recall the brand name. But it was designed to pretty much fill the gutter. Not sure I'd get them for the house but it might be something to consider for your situation.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

I have a factory cover but it is a chore putting it on and off during the spring when I am working on the boat every day, and I am still filtering out the previous owners leaves.

That gutter foam filter looks like a perfect solution, IT goes under the name of gutter stuff, and gutter fill, I am going to try and get some. GREAT IDEA!!

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2005 Horizon 230 5.7 GI/DP 280-HP
2005 Suburban "The Battlewagon"

Take your strainer, cut out the screen then bend/mold it to fit in the opening. Leave a tab like section protruding so that you can pull it should occasional cleaning be required. Honestly keeping the crud out of your boat is the best solution, you might think about buying the factory mooring cover - much easier to put on and take off, but the screen should keep large crap out of the bilge. Also don't forget the issue with the gas tank shifting around slightly contributing to the blocking of the ski locker drain hole. Placement of a small block of starboard plastic or wood to act as a shim preventing the tank from obstructing the drain hole may be the way to go there. Good luck!

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2007 Horizon 200
4.3L GXi/ SX 225 HP

Glad to hear you found the 'Gutter Stuff'. I'm a little skeptical of it's suitability for house gutters but that's off-topic for a boat forum.

I'll second Jim's point about keeping crud off the boat. Mainly because if you leave stuff on there long enough (and it doesn't take long) you'll end up with a mottled bunch of very faint stains all over the gelcoat and worse, the vinyl seating. At least be sure to swab a healthy amount of 303 to protect the seating. Otherwise the sun will make it get brittle sooner.

If the factory cover's a pain, perhaps a cheaper one would be easier? Won't last as long, or look as nice, but one you can more easily use might be a solution to consider.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista