It’s one of the most common questions we hear.
The honest answer? It depends.
Every ElectroStrainer system is selected for a specific boat and cooling system, so there isn’t a single price that applies to every installation. Factors such as your boat’s size, cooling-water flow requirements, installation complexity, and even where you boat all influence the final cost.
That may sound like a frustrating answer, but it’s the same reason you won’t find a single published price for a new HVAC system or a custom boat lift. Every installation is different.
We can say that boat owners in high-growth waters, like the Gulf Coast, say they typically recoup the cost of their investment within a year of installing the ElectroStrainer due to reduced maintenance (no more descaling) and strainer cleanings.
Here’s what affects the cost of an ElectroStrainer.
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Your boat determines the system
ElectroStrainer isn’t a one-size-fits-all product.
A center console with a single outboard has very different cooling requirements than a 60-foot cruiser with multiple air conditioning units and other raw-water-cooled equipment.
The larger and more complex the cooling system, the larger the ElectroStrainer required to protect it.
Other factors include:
- Raw-water flow requirements
- Inlet and outlet plumbing sizes
- Number of engines and generators
- Air conditioning or chiller systems
- Available installation space
Selecting the correct model is one reason we work through our network of authorized dealers who understand your boat’s cooling system.
Installation varies from boat to boat
Installation is another significant factor in overall cost.
On some boats, installation is relatively straightforward. On others, technicians may need to reroute plumbing, relocate equipment, or work in extremely confined engine rooms.
Labor rates also vary by region and dealer.
That’s why two nearly identical boats can receive different installation quotes.
Where you boat matters
Marine growth isn’t the same everywhere.
Warm saltwater environments often experience rapid fouling, while freshwater lakes may see very little. Some marinas have significantly more marine growth than others only a few miles away.
Where you keep your boat can determine both the system that’s recommended and the value you’ll receive from it over time.
For boaters in areas with aggressive marine growth, ElectroStrainer can dramatically reduce one of the most common maintenance headaches: marine organisms growing inside raw-water cooling systems.
Looking beyond the purchase price
For many owners, the better question isn’t, “What does an ElectroStrainer cost?”
The question is: “What does marine growth cost me every year?”
Marine growth doesn’t just clog sea strainers. It can restrict cooling-water flow throughout the raw-water system, leading to additional maintenance and expensive repairs if left unchecked.
Depending on your boat, marine growth can contribute to equipment failure and expensive maintenance:
- Repeated sea strainer cleanings
- Chemical descaling
- Air conditioning failure
- Restricted cooling-water flow
- Increased maintenance time
- Interrupted weekends on the water (arriving at docks and finding a hot boat)
For many boat owners, those costs continue year after year.
Many owners say it pays for itself
Every boat is different, so there’s no universal payback period.
Some owners tell us their ElectroStrainer paid for itself within a single boating season. Others estimate it took about a year. The answer depends on how much marine growth you deal with today, how often your boat is used, and what maintenance you’re currently paying for.
One thing we do hear across the board is that owners wish they had installed one sooner.
Many describe ElectroStrainer as the best investment they’ve made in their boat because it eliminates a loathsome maintenance chore they had simply accepted as part of boating.
Think long term
The initial purchase and installation are typically the largest investment.
After installation, owners are no longer starting from scratch. Like any piece of marine equipment, ElectroStrainer has maintenance requirements over its lifetime, but the system is designed as a long-term solution rather than a recurring seasonal expense.
Many owners find they’re spending less time cleaning strainers, scheduling descaling services, or wondering whether marine growth is beginning to restrict cooling-water flow again.
Every boat owner values something different
Some buyers focus on maintenance savings.
Others appreciate the convenience of not constantly checking and cleaning strainers.
Others simply want greater confidence that their air conditioning system is protected when they’re miles from the dock.
For owners who rely on captains and marine technicians, their goal is to protect a significant investment. Repeated chemical descaling requires introducing acidic cleaners into the raw-water system, a maintenance process that can contribute to wear on seals, gaskets, heat exchangers, and other cooling-system components over time.
Additionally, they want to own and operate a vessel that’s equipped with modern technology. ElectroStrainer is the safest and most advanced way to maintain their boat.
So… how much does ElectroStrainer cost?
The only accurate answer is one based on your boat.
Because every installation is different, your dealer can recommend the correct ElectroStrainer model, discuss installation requirements, and provide an accurate quote based on your vessel and where you boat.
If you don’t have a dedicated dealer, or your dealer does not install ElectroSea products, you can reach out to ElectroSea for a quote and dealer referral. An ElectroSea rep follows up with a phone call or email, usually within 24 hours.
We’ll help match the right ElectroStrainer to your boat and explain exactly what’s included in the price.
Common FAQs
Here are the most common questions we receive about investing in an ElectroStrainer system.
Who uses ElectroStrainer?
Thousands of boaters, captains, sportfishers, and owner-operators use the ElectroStrainer system for marine growth prevention in their A/C lines.
Vessels range from sailboats and trawlers to center consoles and motor yachts, including live-aboard vessels or boats that docked throughout most of the year.
ElectroStrainer is installed standard at the factory level by many boat manufacturers, including Viking Yachts. It can also be optioned on at the factory level by OEMs like Galati or Tiara.
You can find reviews from boat brands, dealers, and end user customers on the ElectroSea reviews page, or on its social channels across TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram.
How many ElectroStrainers do I need for my boat?
According to ElectroSea rep, Brielle Trupiano, most boat use cases take one ElectroStrainer but more information is needed to be sure. It’s uncommon, but some boats can take multiples.
How long does ElectroStrainer last?
If the ElectroStrainer is appropriately sized to your vessel and its flow rate, the cell should last anywhere from two to four years, says Brielle Trupiano.
The ElectroStrainer Pro comes with a two-year manufacturer warranty, but customers are generally seeing much the Pro last much longer.
What are some cheaper alternatives to ElectroStrainer?
The marine growth prevention (MGP) technology fueling ElectroStrainer truly is unique, but customers who don’t have ElectroStrainer generally use conventional sea strainer baskets (most cost below $1,000). They must rely on regular, manual basket cleanings and professional descalings.
Some boat owners use Barnacle Buster or similar descaling flushes to deal with marine growth; however acidic cleaners are hard on boat parts (shortening their lifespan) and cannot prevent marine growth. They’re designed to eliminate the biofouling after it’s colonized in your system.
What’s the difference between ElectroStrainer and ClearLine?
Both products are ElectroSea-brand marine growth prevention systems (MGPS).
The ElectroStrainer is an all-in-one system that replaces your current A/C strainer whereas the ClearLine (our first-generation system) worked with your boat’s existing A/C strainer to feed chlorinated water.
ClearLine was installed after the pump, whereas ElectroStrainer goes before the pump. This new setup replaces your existing strainer and introduces chlorine earlier in the system for even better marine growth protection.