On Mon, 5 Oct 2009 16:41:19 +0200, "Edgar"
wrote:


This facility is available on some small boat inlet strainers that I have
seen but I think it is a bad idea as you do not want to put dirty bilge
water through your engine, as a modern engine has very small cooling water
passages and any blockage there means big trouble..

It would only be used when sinking. The strainer should be kept
clean. Can be tested with a clean bilge.

Moreover, the capacity of an engine cooling pump is pretty small in
comparison with a decent bilge pump, which is another reason against such an
arrangement.

That was my thought too. Didn't bother to check various engine water
pump GPH capacities.
The cited article did seem to indicate the diversions kept them from
sinking.
Personally, I'd go after patching the hole one of the first measures.

If you want to use the engine to pump your bilge, rig a belt driven high
capacity low head pump that will really shift some water.

That was one of my first thoughts, but it's a bigger project.

--Vic