starboard seaboard marine HDPE?

[theFunsmith]

I was wondering if there are any plastics experts here. A lift-out console door from boatoutfitters.com, 32"x22" looks like it would run me around $330. I am thinking I am just going to make one, but the materials have me scratching my head a little. Is there any real difference between a name brand "marine" HDPE and a regular HDPE you would purchase from any plastics wholesaler? I am skeptical of the cost premiums of industry specific products. In the firearms service industry, a gun specific screw can be $5 a piece and mcmaster will have the same screws $10 for 100. I don't think it'll be on quite that scale, but I think you get where I am going here. If anybody knows their plastics, I am all ears.

[mshugg]

I hope it's ok to post this link.  There was a discussion of this topic on THT.  A couple vow people are using the textured HDPE.  No mention of results.  My only concern would be color stability with long term exposure to UV.

https://www.thehulltruth.com/boating-forum/589581-hdpe-high-density-polyethylene-same-king-starboard.html

[boatnamesue]

My only concern would be color stability with long term exposure to UV.

I agree with this^^^^.  What I recall when I was researching HDPE was the marine board is specifically engineered to prevent UV damage.  And if you're looking for a less expensive way of buying marine HDPE, definitely stay away from your brick n motor marine supply stores, like west marine.  Rape you over the price.  Just a quick google search brought up this link, 48"x48" for $120.  I'm sure there are cheaper too.

https://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=102721&catid=705

[theFunsmith]

Thank you both. Actually, the $120 sheet is not too far off from the other non-marine specific sheets I was finding. I think I'll be going that route.

[Que Pasa]

And there is always the home depot PVC board, pretty sure it was 98.00 a sheet.

[wingtime]

King starboard is a name brand. There are other brands that are just as good for less. Also I have found there is a HUGE mark up on it. I think I bought a full sheet of brand called seaboard from a local plastics wholesaler.

[JimInPB]

Since you mentioned McMaster...
Take a look at their catalog.  They carry several grades of HDPE including "marine grade HDPE" & the prices are better than some marine supply places.  When I have gotten it from them, it was genuine King Starboard brand. 

The only hitch is shipping on larger pieces.  I got whacked about $90 truck freight on a big piece that I ordered.  That did include the double length skid that it came on.  A piece the size you need can probably go UPS for reasonable cost. 

[theFunsmith]

Thank you for all the replies. It looks like the US Plastic is still the best price going on. They even come in under Mcmaster for the marine grade stuff.

[wingtime]

This is where I bought mine:

http://www.farcoplastics.com/Pdf/FarcoMarineIndustry.pdf

They are local to me but they have several locations.