Slot Size?

[DavidF]

I’m building a 15’8” Chesapeake skiff from Hylan’s drawings and I need guidance on the width of the centerboard slot. The centerboard will be made of 3/4 marine ply, about 16 x 48. I would like to epoxy and glass the board and epoxy the interior of the box, but prior commitments render some options unavailable, given what size the slot ought to be. What is not too tight?
I appreciate your help.

[Jay Greer]

David,
May I suggest that you book match your center board out of 3/8" ply from the same sheet to accomplish the
3/4" thickness you plan prior to glassing. This will minimise any tendencys of the board to warp. Leaving an 1/8" inch clearance or more between the finished board and trunk will allow suffiient space to allow the board to jibe in the trunk a bit when tacking. If this is done intentionally it can improve the windward performance of your boat. This, of couse will require a wedge on a string dropped into the after end of the trunk to keep the board set at a slight angle to the center line of the hull.