Along with everything else. Probably not worth the trouble moving the raw water intake as the access is also for the fuel filters, fuel pump, HE, prop/stuffing box, engine/transmission etc. I usually try and keep the area clear of storage or bedding when the boat is in use just in case I need to get access quickly. Apart from doing an occasional check on things while underway, I must say I have never had to open up the area in a hurry.
John Meyer

I agree with John. Although I am not familiar with your waters or any potential clogging risks therein, I find it hard to imagine a strainer situation serious enough to warrant moving this robust item to a more accessible location. Importantly, the raw water intake is located at a considerable depth below the surface, and so does not have a tendency to pick up material that ordinarily would be floating on or near the surface. In Puget Sound and other areas in the Pacific Northwest we experience seasonal dense eelgrass beds floating on the surface. Often I have needed to motor through these beds, sometimes for 1/8th mile or more. These have never been a problem for my Mk II. In fact, I can count on two hands the total number of eelgrass blades I have removed from the strainer in 8 seasons.

One more bit of experience, from the very brief 5 months that I've owned my 1988 Catalina 36. Leaving the marina, traveling up the river to the Saginaw Bay (MI) I noticed no water coming from the diesel exhaust! Engine temp rising, Turned around and made it back to the dock before engine damage (hopefully). After sending my son and his wife overboard to look for plugs in the raw water inlet, I found that by closing the thru hull valve, unscrewing the filter and then purging the inlet water into a cup that the clog (grass blades and weeds) was removed. It worked! Sorry about the dockside swim, Ryan and Fiona.

John "Airborne",

I hope you changed your impeller right after that. Running dry for even a minute can severely damage it. Don't ask me how I know.

In the New England area we frequently need to clear the strainer of eel grass. The hull opening on our 1994 C36 is not protected by any kind of screen like our 1981 C30. Rather than diving on the hull, I have used the dingy bellows and the air horn to blow back the offending eel grass still plugging the intake line before the strainer. To do this close the shutoff, remove screen from the strainer and reinstall the cup only. Clean the screen in a bucket in the sink. It may be smelly but you do not want to loose or toss the rubber gasket overboard. I say this but I've tossed three gaskets overboard. Disconnect the input hose to the water pump so you can use the air pressure to blow back the intake line. Open the shutoff and blow back the intake line. When the line is cleared, you will hear the bubble of air being force out of the hull bottom. The air horn doesn't sound the horn because of the back pressure, just push the the hose (5/8") into the bell of the horn and toot away the grass. Close the shutoff valve and reinstall the screen.
Any increase in temperature is a sign that the strainer needs to be cleaned. If the engine overheats, change the impeller or at least examine it closely for cracks in the blades if you don't have a spare. Loosing an impeller blade in the engine is not an approved vacation activity. Moving the strainer further away from the sea gate can lead to more a serious blockage.