Is Marine Plywood Really Necessary?

[TheOtherLine]

Got a new ditch bag and want to place a piece of plywood in the bottom to help support the contents and add some rigidity to the "floor".

http://www.boatersland.com/acr2272.html


Since the bottom of this bag may get wet from time to time (from being on deck), should I spring for marine plywood or just buy some regular plywood and paint it with something?

What would I treat the standard PW with? By the time I add cost of sealing the standard wood, would it have been cheaper to just buy marine grade and just leave it at that?

 

[pelagic2530]

is the ditch bag waterproof? if so, theres no need to worry about it at all. you could use cardboard, if you were so inclined.

if its not waterproof, then you might want to consider a different ditch bag! :shock:

 

[Bryan 2530]

Marine ply and regular exterior grade plywood use the same exact glue.

The only difference is Marine plywood has dutchmen installed to fill the voids in the plys.

But as mentioned, I would use something else, maybe a piece of 1/4" plexy glass, nice and cheap at ACE hardware.

 

[Megabyte]

Hou 'bout a piece of 1/4" starboard :?:

Good idea. 8)

 

[sparky]

Marine ply and regular exterior grade plywood use the same exact glue.

The only difference is Marine plywood has dutchmen installed to fill the voids in the plys.

But as mentioned, I would use something else, maybe a piece of 1/4" plexy glass, nice and cheap at ACE hardware.

Ayup on the plywoods. I've found that you can fill the voids in exterior ply with 5200, or epoxy. Of course, there will inevitably be a void right at the corner of whatever you are trying to cut... just Murphy bein' a PITA.

Polycarbonate/Plexiglass is brittle, and when it snaps, it'll make sharp points that may puncture the bag. I'd stick to something like starboard/coosa or even CDX exterior plywood. Just sand the corners round, and paint it with some exterior grade paint. I'd suggest a white primer, then 2 coats of Safety Orange (or any bright orange), then clear coat. Then, the stiffener in the bottom of the bag becomes a potentially helpful piece of gear in the event of a disaster.

 

[TheOtherLine]

Good suggestions all! Got me thinking....

How about one of those plastic (or whatever they are) kitchen cutting boards? I think you can buy those in different sizes and thicknesses. Any reason that wouldn't work?

 

[Bryan 2530]

Perfect!

 

[Megabyte]

Perfect!

Yup!

 

[TheOtherLine]

Found a cutting board with enough w x l to allow me to use it as a bottom filler. I need to cut one edge and round out the corners. Board appears to be 5/16ths. I think that will work.

Thanks for the ideas.

The last bag barely floated. Maybe this one being larger, it will float. I don't plan on having it sit in the ocean for an extended period of time. I just need it to float long enough for me to retrieve it, in case I accidentally drop it in the water during a life raft boarding attempt.

 

[Megabyte]

My bag is pretty full too.
What I did with mine was to use about 6' of parachute cord to construct a painter.

I put one of those aluminum carabiners on both ends that you find at every checkout lane in Home Depot to secure it.
That way If the bag ever needs to get wet, it can get clipped to something (or me) and stay 'in touch'.

 

[POGE]

for a float in the bag if you have room throw an empty 2 liter bottle in the bag. Run some sealant (silicone tub caulk) around cap and screw back on.