Coosa Board?

[boatnamesue]

I'm making plans to rid of my fiberglass center console, replacing with a helm setup similar to what you see below.  My current console is one of those helms w/a forward seat, and it's the space under this seat that houses my three 12V batteries.  I also have an oil reservoir housed under the console. 

Let's call what I need to have built a "box".  This box will be mounted on the deck directly beneath the helm control box and will house the 3 batteries and oil reservoir.  And given that the box specs need to be exact, as to fit inside the helm control's 4 aluminum pipe legs, I'm thinking I'll need to have this box fabricated. 

With all that said, wanted to get your opinions on the building material that should be used.  Since the box will have contact with the deck it needs to be a durable material.  And of course, needs to be weather resistant.  I've never worked with coosa board, but from what I've read it appears this might be the material best suited for this fabrication.  Any thoughts you have is greatly appreciated.  Thanks!

[wingnut]

Coosa would work but might be overkill. Something like Divinycell is easier to work with and cheaper, but would be plenty strong. People core small boat hulls, hardtops, etc out of it and it is bulletproof if glassed properly. I think it comes in 4.5 and 6lb density, either of which would be fine for your application.

[mshugg]

Wingnut is right. Divynecel or any number of similar foams would be more cost effective than coosa.  You could also use nidacore.  The strength comes from the glass laminated to the foam.  In the end, it’s probably best to go with whatever material you can get locally, because freight for large sheets can cost more than the foam.

[theFunsmith]

I used coosa extensively in my rebuild. It is pretty awesome stuff to work with, and the strength made it very appealing, however, it dulls bits and blades pretty rapidly. The cost was almost a push for me because it was available locally and the other commonly used synthetic coring materials were all going to have to be shipped.

[dmont]

Have you thought about making a simple plug/mold out of MDF or something else with a flange on the bottom that could attach to the deck. Or glass it down with no flange on the bottom. Wrap it in several layers of glass and pop it out. No coring needed. Leave the top open on the box then make a mold for a lid that has a lip around the edge that would fit over the open top box. Use some rubber latches to hold lid down to box. Hopefully that makes sense.

[boatnamesue]

Thanks for the input.  I reside in Tampa Bay....by chance, anyone know the local material distributors?

[RickK]

https://www.bing.com/search?q=fiberglass+supply+in+TPA&cvid=75e000201e234b84aa03dd62044a1dd5&pglt=43&FORM=ANNTA1&PC=U531