Howdy,
Just wondering. Does Rail tape do anything? My old board had marks and a couple of areas where the gloss cote had come away. New board is showing some impact marks.
I had heard of "Helicopter Tape" that protects the rails from these marks. Id it worth it??
go to clark rubber and get a thin rubber protective strip. wrap it around the edge of the blade .... I just tape it on with a bit of electrician tape. If you bang your rails a bit you may have to replace it now and again
Helicopter tape is a 3M product, you can buy from 3M distributers, try their website for a dealer near you. It comes in about 35 & 50mm wide rolls starting about $8 per m. It's easy to put on being slightly stretchy, but beware will pull off more paint when removing especially if there are other chips. You can also cut the 35mm into two strips to use to tape your paddles in lead of electrical tape.
Your SUP dealer will also have the Naish kit.
However for a great product I recommend Railsaverpro. Looks great and lasts the best.
www.rspro.org/
Great fast service from these guys.
Still makes me laugh that people put electrical tape on the blade...it basically does nothing.
Boards are definitely built stronger now but rail tape or the Surf Co paddle uard is the way to go IMO!
Beg do differ
Over many years we have found that you cant beat rail tape if you have a chipping issue. Good rail tape (which we cant get enough of) is half the cost of getting your board repaired.
Rule number one though, dont use it if you don't need it.
Everyone is different and some 'stab' more than others with their paddle and some boards mark easier than others.
Rule number two: Dont put rubber stripping on your paddle. You wouldn't put it on your fin and it has the same affect each time you stroke. It really kills the efficiency of your blade.
We have found that two layers of Electrical tape (sorry Bnacca's) around your blade has minimal impact on the performance of your paddle and will help with scuffing on your rails. Just replace it as it wears.
It wont stop the big knocks though and if you are getting more than your fair share of chips you need good 3m rail tape.
Each to their own of course but this is what has worked for us over many years.
Thanks and food for thought. See the point about removal though.
as I have a new board I may try the tape first! And see the logic on the rubber strip on paddle edge.
I'll have to try that one!
Seriously, your blade is like your fins! The foils work best just the way they are!
i bought the Naish kit about a year ago just put it on the paddle, Have not used the rail tape, plan to cut it up and just use it for the paddle (should last me for about 10 years, $4 dollars a year good for the consumer not so good for naish)
just my thoughts
cheers matt
I found rail tape to be handy when your out of the water,standing your board on the rail on conrete or in so me beach carparks that are all tar and cement
Hi Peeps,
We recommend rail tape for most new boards. The 3M stuff is practically invisible, sticks like sh1t to a blanket and does a fine job of protecting the rail. As Vee said, placing your board on the rail whilst you change grip to put the board on the roof or whatever is invaluable. A small gust of wind if the board is on it's rail against a pole and the gelcoat cops a nice scratching.
Paddle strikes are practically inevitable even on experienced paddlers boards. Correctly positioned rail tape prevents damage to the shiny gelcoating on the board. Light scratched can be buffed out with some cutting compound, but only the light ones.
We recently traded an old Starboard Whopper which had been badly mauled along the rails, but it's previous owner had the rails taped. I removed the old rail tape, gave the whole board a good cut back and polish and re-rail taped the board, and fixed a couple of minor chips. When it came in, it had a resale value of about $600, after the two hours of polishing, cleaning and repair work, we were able to sell it immediately to a "walk in" for $800.
Is $50 worth of rail taping worth it? Absofriggenlutely! You can use paddle guards and blade tape too on the paddle, but it does effect the hydro dynamic efficiency of the blade in the water.
I guess at the end of the day it comes down to how much trade in you want to get on your board when you are looking to upgrade. $50 of rail tape will add about $100-$200 when it's time to trade or sell.
DM
Two years ago I paid $60 for a set of rail tape for a board which has been thrashed by learner SUPpers constantly for that time .. It was well worth the effort and the cost .. No daggy paddle blades and chipped rails ... and because it wasn't a Bunnings Product it has no drag or suffered unnecessarily from paddle hacks.
Rail Saver Pro. Bought some. Great product. Easy to apply no more marks! Easy. I try to stay away from teh rails with the paddle but sometimes just can't help it.
Will use it on any new board I Buy!
Local supplier will b esupported.