GLEN JUSTICE 

Groco's new raw water system monitor reads the water flow to your engine's cooling system and sounds an alarm — audible and visual — if there's a reduction. And it does it within seven seconds.

We haven't tested it, but warning the captain of cooling problems — while he or she can still do something about it — seems like a strong idea. It compliments and advances the trend toward more sophisticated system monitoring.  

The system can protect engines, generators, air conditioning or any equipment that uses raw water cooling. It uses fittings (pictured above) with an impeller inside to measure flow, and information is relayed to a central unit that handles the monitoring and alarms.

The fitting can be removed, to change the impeller — or to add function. Plumb in a hose and the fitting can become an emergency bilge pump, pulling water from inside the boat using an engine or generator. 

The system can monitor seven different components and can be retrofit on boat using lines from 3/4 inches to six inches. It won an Innovation Award at this year's IBEX show.