Sea Water Strainer Stuck

[Buddy28TE]

I only have two major complaints about my 28 TE, the door latch and this darn fussy Sea Strainer Cap. It has been a problem for me every single time a mechanic comes onboard and messes around in that area. I tell them each time do not over tighten it. I spent the better half of what will probably be one the few remaining nice days screwing around with it attempting to remove it to do some general maintenance. I sprayed with lubricant designed to loosen the toughest jams (yeah right) and frankly I am done with this system. I would like to replace it with something that is user friendly and allows me possibly to see into the strainer though this is not my most important requirement. I am desperate and angry today because I lost this battle and frankly feel completely defeated (okay now I do know someone who I will not name who has it much worse than I and has an amazing attitude). Anyhow, I am looking for recommendations for a new system and degree of difficulty to replace it. If I do not do it myself I wonder how many hours a qualified technician (whatever that means these days) will take to replace it. Thanks so much to all of you and I am so sorry if I sound like an angry child today. I attached a picture of that awful top that hates me ))))

Shawn Gross
Buddy III
2002 28 Albin Tournament Express
Chesapeake Bay Region

[LillianpFD]

I just whack mine with a hammer to loosen it in the direction to open it. I only hand tighten it so I usually don’t have an issue.