Sea Strainer Maintenance

[rich]

Do the scoop type external strainers need to be opened up and cleaned out each season? Mine look clean from the outside but noticed some sort of hinge on the aft end, wondering if I need to open it up and inspect the inside?

Thanks

[Laukia]

That portion of the hull under the screen is bare gel cote. Ideally you want to take the screen off and clean it up and then apply primer/barrier coat followed by your bottom paint. It's a bad spot to have any sort of accumulated marine growth. Then open up the hinge to clean it out in following seasons and you should be good.