Pentair U-3 Skimmer Basket with Handle, 08650-0007Z

This is the replacement basket with handle for the U-3 model skimmer, the skimmer sold over the years under the Pentair, Sta-Rite and Swimquip names on concrete and vinyl pools. Pentair part number 08650-0007Z.

Measurements

The basket is 5 1/4 in deep with an 8 1/4 in top diameter and a 5 3/4 in bottom diameter. That taper is what seats it properly in the U-3 throat, so a basket from another skimmer will either sit high or drop through. If you are not certain which skimmer you have, measure the old basket at the rim first.

Why it is worth changing

A skimmer basket takes the first pass at leaves and debris. Once the mesh cracks or the rim splits, debris slips past and ends up in the pump strainer basket or, worse, wedged in the impeller. A basket is the cheapest part in the whole suction line and the one that protects everything downstream of it.

The handle

The handle is molded onto the basket. Full baskets are heavy and slippery, and a handle is the difference between a clean lift and dumping half the load back into the pool.