Personally I say no.. don't use rail tape.. but it depends on how much you hit your rails.. and depends if you have tape on the blade of your paddle or not.

It depends how much your care about how your board looks. The rails of your Falcon will probably look pretty grim in a short time if you don't protect them. It probably won't be anything to worry about structurally, but the carbon one I paddled seemed to collect paddle scuffs at an incredible rate. Glossy finishes are probably more resistant. I don't use rail tape but I do put tape on my blades, and all my DW boards have glossy finishes.

I've got an original Naish 17 and it has not ONE mark on the rails after all these years: they are still shiny like new. But the 2014 carbon Falcon I borrowed looked like it was 10 years old.

I think in some cases the manufacturers have actually gone backwards in terms of construction, and are passing off shonky construction that wouldn't have passed muster a few years ago under the guise of "carbon" "lightweight" construction or some other blather. The original Naish "carbon" (actually it wasn't carbon as far as I can tell, but some aramid or other) were reasonably light and were very tough, and had a proper paint job. I think most buyers would prefer that construction now (in terms of the durability vs. weight trade-off) than what we are often being offered. Sometimes I almost wonder whether the manufacturers are deliberately trying to see how crap they can make the boards whilst still relieving us of our hard-earned cash.

You only need to look at the construction of a Jimmy Lewis M-14 to see how it could be done. There's no need there for two constructions (eg. HRS/AST vs. "carbon") because the standard construction is perfectly light enough and yet very durable.

Just as a side point, I tried those textured rail tapes on a surf sup. Bad idea!!! I think it reduces drag. Surfed the 8'3 hokua with it and I couldn't get the rails to hold. Kept sliding Out in my bottom turns. Which had to be the tape as I had big fins in and this board as a pin tail is a rail master.

So maybe the textured stuff would be good to reduce drag on a raceboard? Although u do go allot slower then when u surf

Another thumb up for Railsaver pro.I got 2 new full carbon racers and although I don,t hit the rail that often the start of a race and buoy turns can be very hectic.compared to a board or even a repair its rather cheap and saves a lot of hassle.
Performance wise I didnt feel and measured any speed diff bwtween with or without tape.

WTF did RJK and DJ get red thumbed for their comments.

Speak up keyboard pussies!

I I use the Rail Saver Pro clear textured stuff on my hokua le 8, 3 and not a mark on the rail, I swear by the stuff or the Ion stuff as well, the only problem I have had is its so tuff and and a bit sharp, in summer you can scratch your arms on It when getting on your board or paddling on your stomach.

With my raceboards I haven,t measures any performance loss (I paddle with a HR/GPS unit)....

scary comments on stand up zone at moment about lack of durability of this year's starboard carbon range.....so mayb rail tape good as might help hold boards together :)

RJK said..

GizzieNZ said.. scary comments on stand up zone at moment about lack of durability of this year's starboard carbon range.....so mayb rail tape good as might help hold boards together :)

classic!! I green thumbed you in advance before the red thumbers come rushing in. Starby has a pretty big following these days. what happens when red maxes out???

I fear not RJK ..........here's the topic
www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php/topic,23674.msg238842/boardseen.html