Re: Water Separator
First, I would never own a boat with built in tanks withou a water sep. filter. I would never own a boat with portable tanks - if I was going to use it off shore or in a remote place - without a water sep. filter. I guess I'm saying they are not only good to have, I believe they are basic, "DUH" equipment.<br /><br />I've used both and prefer the bowl/drainable type. The plain cannister type are often/generally used in an engine compartment (e.g. I/0) because you can't use a plastic bowl inside an engine compartment. They do make brass and steel bowl models however that can be used there. A lot of times the issue is clearance - you wouldn't be able to easily drain a bowl inside some compartments, or there would be risk of spilling fuel in the bilge.<br /><br />I'd say the type with clear bowls are more common on outboard applications.<br /><br />Those no-bowl type you just replace the cannister on a schedule. If you wait too long and the cannister fills up, you can get water to the carb or EFI.<br /><br />The reason I like the bowl type is that you can drain the bowl and monitor it. I do replace the cannister part of mine every spring anyway, even though I've been told it isn't necessary. With these type, you can have the same problem if you don't keep it drained - the whole bowl and then the cannister can fill up with enough water to cause you problems. BTDT - when I first got my current boat and was ignorant and unaware.
