thruhull strainer

[C Sniper]

So my marine a/c has a regular thru hull, which pulls enough venturi at about 12 kts to overpower the ppickup pump and cause the system to shut down. I bought a Groco SC1000 thruhull strainer to scoop water into the water pickup and hopefully allow a/c use at planning speeds. Side benefit, hopefully it will reduce weeds filling up the inline strainer.

So couple questions:
The strainer is bronze but came with SS screws, From a bit of reading it seems silicon bronze screws would be best. Anyone think something else would be better?

What length screws would be suggested to run into the hull?

I assume I should sand off the bottom paint where the bedding compound would be, agreed?

Other than bedding compound any tips for doing this the right way?

[thataway]

There can be some controversy about orientation of the scoop. I understand how you want to use it, just be sure that there is a good sea cock that you turn off when not using the AC. The issue is that at times the "scoop" can generate enough pressure in hoses to either burst hose, push hose off fitting, damage pumps etc.

The screws are just to keep the orientation. Technically there should be thru bolts, and a backing block. That seems to be rarely done in the C Dory World.

The strainer can become loaded with grass even with the grating.

If not already done, you need to route out the core between the inner and outer skins and fill this with thickened epoxy. Be sure that the silicone Bronze screws are goining into the epoxy, not the balsa. 5200 is often used. 4200 is just as acceptable.

With the epoxy doughnut you are not compressing the balsa core, and fostering leaks into the rest of the core.