Kalapattar Posted August 7, 2018 Report Share Posted August 7, 2018 Hi! How much of an expansion gap should there be laying down ply boards please? I have a steel hull Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chewbacka Posted August 7, 2018 Report Share Posted August 7, 2018 From memory my boat had a gap about 1.5 inches either side - can’t see it as it’s behind the side lining. Obviously too big for expansion, so probably that big to get the least waste/least joins when cutting and laying the boards, though it probably helps with ventilation and keeping the bilge dry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
koukouvagia Posted August 7, 2018 Report Share Posted August 7, 2018 (edited) It depends on what time of the year you are doing this. In this hot weather the boards in my back cabin have shrunk leaving a good inch gap. When they were laid in the winter there was almost no gap. eta: didn't notice you're laying ply. Ignore the above remarks because in my experience ply doesn't shrink or expand very much. Edited August 7, 2018 by koukouvagia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Brooks Posted August 7, 2018 Report Share Posted August 7, 2018 31 minutes ago, koukouvagia said: It depends on what time of the year you are doing this. In this hot weather the boards in my back cabin have shrunk leaving a good inch gap. When they were laid in the winter there was almost no gap. eta: didn't notice you're laying ply. Ignore the above remarks because in my experience ply doesn't shrink or expand very much. But the boat may. If the OP laid them with no gap in the heat of the day at them moment (south) with no gap then in winter some may try to bow as the hull shrinks. The hull may not expand a lot but it can be noticeable with things like doors sticking etc. I would think if ding it in the heat of the day 0.5 to 1 mm would be enough for hull expansion but I had a feeling that timber expand more than steel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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