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I have recently been working on a large battleboard that involves alot of modelling sand and gravel as a sort of beach for the water features, I want to know how to secure it in place so that it doesn't chip off either in storage in my room or if it needs to be moved. I had thought of going over it with a watered down coat of PVA glue, maybe even as low as 1 part PVA to 10 parts water so that it dries clear and covers the large area.
What do you guys think?

By the way I have already started painting it, I didn't realise how week the bond between the board and the sand was until I finished painting it. So I dont exactly want too go back and start painting it all over again with a primer that would ruin my paint job on the board. So the less re-painting your idea has the better!
Thanks in advance.

I don't have experience with it myself, but I have heard that a coat of spray varnish seals the board nicely - this would also stop unnecessary repainting.

Other than that, a coat of PVA should work fine, as should repriming - though I understand that's your least favourite option.

PVA Glue and varnish should hold it nicely, however, I use watered down Wood Glue for securing modelling sand, it seems to hold better.
Granesh

For the watered down mix, I add a drop or two of dishwashing liquid to the mix. It's an old painting trick.

It helps lower surface tension and allows the glue to get in and around all of the particulates to bind them all together.

After it is painted, then I hit it with a matt estapol varnish.

Takes me about 2 weeks to do a table, but it lasts for years.