camping box

[jim454]

Guys,

I'm looking to build a kind of pantry type box for hauling all my cooking gear. Also maybe another box for overnight stuff we would need. For the cooking stuff I'd like to build it with compartments to keep things organized and also it would double as a counter top.

Wondering if you guys can give me some ideas.

My father-in-law has a nice wood shop and it'll be a winter project.

[MrGadget]

I'd hope WoodenPontoon would chime in here, but my own two cents would be to select wood types that are strong but light weight, and marine grade or low-void wood that doesn't absorb moisture so they won't get heavy from soaking up water from the air or ground. Since it sounds like they'll have heavy stuff, perhaps size to carry loaded with handles in good places for two-person carry.

[mike]

Another option is to use starboard, its like a hard plastic that is very popular for boat hatches and such... It works like wood in most cases...

[mike]

Here is a link to some cool starboard projects, some nice tackle boxes at the bottom:

http://outdoorsbest.zeroforum.com/zerothread?id=883178

[jim454]

Good advice guys, thank you.

I like the idea of your material Mike.

I'm still doing a lot of head scratchin'.

[dockholiday]

The starboard stuff looks pretty good. If you happen to go wood, I would use an oil finish, never will peel, and just gets better with age. It will need some attention from time to time though, so from a maintance standpoint the starboard wins.
doc

[mike]

starboard also works great as a cutting board... Only downside is its pretty expensive, I had a friend swear by it on his 28' striper, rebuilt just about everything out of it!

[Bamby]

When we are going out for overnighters we sometimes put one of the smaller diamond plated aluminum toolboxes on out toon. It's light, will fit in our boat O.K., waterproof, and it's got good handles on it to remove from boat to pickup bed, and then sometimes to garage where it's also rodent proof. It works for us.

[mike]

Great idea... You can usually pick one up on craigslist cheap!