Vetus Sea Strainers

Vetus Sea Strainers: Engineered from the Start

There is a fitting piece of history behind Vetus and the sea strainer category: the very first product ever developed in-house under the Vetus brand name was a seawater strainer. That heritage runs deep. Sea strainers have been central to Vetus's identity since the company's early engineering days in Rotterdam, and decades of refinement show in every detail of their current lineup.

A Range Built for Real-World Marine Conditions

Vetus cooling water strainers are designed to protect engines, generators, air conditioners, and any other onboard system that depends on a steady flow of raw cooling water. Debris, marine growth, and sediment are constant threats in both saltwater and freshwater environments, and a quality strainer is the first line of defense against heat exchanger damage, overheating, and costly repairs.

Vetus organizes its sea strainer lineup across several distinct series to match a wide range of vessel sizes and flow requirements:

• FTR330 Series – One of the most popular strainer families in the lineup, the Type 330 is available in multiple hose connection diameters (from 16 mm up to 38 mm) with recommended flow rates spanning from roughly 35 to 200 liters per minute. All models feature a transparent cover for quick visual inspection without dismantling the unit.
• FTR330M (Heavy-Duty) – The FTR33038M is the rugged flagship of the 330 family. Its housing is constructed from NAVIDURIN®, a robust engineered material, and it features a metal inspection lid instead of plastic. Pressure-tested to 8 bar, it can be safely mounted below the waterline — an important advantage for faster planing hulls where pressure builds with speed.
• Type 470 Series – Stepping up in capacity, the 470 series handles flow rates from approximately 51 to 143 liters per minute across multiple connection sizes, making it well-suited to larger engines and higher-demand cooling circuits.
• Type 1900 Series – At the top end of the range, the Type 1900 strainers are engineered for high-volume applications, supporting flow rates up to 820 liters per minute through large-diameter connections — ideal for commercial or heavy-duty powerboat use.

What Sets Vetus Strainers Apart

Across the entire range, transparent covers are a signature design feature, allowing a quick inspection of filter condition without tools or disassembly. The large active filter surface area means the basket requires less frequent cleaning, and when cleaning is needed, the cover is removed by unscrewing a single central knob. Many models also allow 360° rotation of the hose connections at installation, simplifying plumbing runs in tight engine compartments.

Materials are chosen for the harsh marine environment: housings in glass-fiber reinforced polypropylene or NAVIDURIN®, and filter elements in HD polyethylene, all engineered to resist corrosion in both fresh and salt water. The FTR330 series supports six different hose connection sizes, giving boatbuilders and do-it-yourself installers real flexibility.

Vetus recommends installing strainers above the waterline in most installations, though select models — including the FTR330M series — are rated and tested for below-waterline placement. Always pair any sea strainer installation with a properly sized seacock at the hull inlet for safe and serviceable plumbing.

For boaters who trust their engine cooling systems to hold up in demanding conditions, Vetus sea strainers represent more than 60 years of focused marine engineering. Explore the full Vetus brand catalog or browse all sea strainers to find the right fit for your vessel.