Hi
I’m getting a new sup board for surfing this summer and wondered what the latest best rail tape is currently ?
I usually buy ION as it is super strong. Costs about $60 to $80 for XL. so not cheap but good.
I still got lots of paddle chips close to the nose however. I was surprised how far forward some of the chips are…..
I could have put the tape closer to nose obviously but looked weird and the tape gets far to wide on the thinner nose rails. So obviously designed to not go to close to the nose. Perhaps I must just cut the first 500mm way thinner and bring it way forward.
I don’t recon the back of the board needs much protection. Side rails just need protection for when board goes on its side.
Any comments or ideas on new rail tape on market ? Any of them designed to go closer to nose ?
My favorite is the one sold by Gong. It is as thick as 3M Helicopter tape, but a bit stiffer, so it spreads the impact forces a bit better.
Its smooth surface prevents abrasive wear on the paddle blade.
3M Helicopter tape is still better for sharp curves (paddle blades, very thin rails) as it is more supple to fit on tight curves.
However, I think it is kind of a generic product, and it should be nowadays similar to most rail savers on the market (such as the ION one I guess), except maybe the ultra-cheap ones.
I only put it in the 3' (80 to 90cm) from the nose, at it is where I hit the rails.
Plus I thus do not have the feeling of the rail tape under my hands when grabbing the board, which I dislike.
For this I use only 90cm of the rail saver, that I split diagonally to get 2 pieces that become narrower towards the nose.
Tips:
- I round the corners
- I try to never touch the glue with my fingers. When applying it I keep the backing tape where I hold the rail tape
Thanks that is good advice. In the past I have always tried to cover the entire rail nose to tail but now realising it is not necessary. The front one metre is all that is needed.
Select to expand quoteMark _australia said..
Tape your paddle well with electrical tape and use any rail tape
Not any rail tape. The textured ones will eat the tape on your paddle blade...
But yes, I use also 3M Helicopter tape on the paddle blade, to prevent damage to the paddle... and my toes :-)
And also when using the paddle as a crutch on the deck to stand up (the supthecreek method) to save my old joints...
Also, having some protection on the paddle blade means you do not need as much protection on the rail, and use rail tape only in the very exposed parts (or not at all).
Been using the 3M tape for years and you can't go wrong. Cheap (ish) and easy to apply. And unlike Gong products available globally and probably from your local surf / SUP ship in SA.
Phil
A solution I have found works great is to use the u-shaped strips designed to fit around car doors to prevent dinging other vehicles parked next to them. I have been using this for about 10 years and have not seen any serious paddle marks on my boards. I had tried the electical tape, but the door guards offer much better protection and last forever. I could see an argument against using this on race paddles, but I have used this on paddles for surf and for downwinding without feeling any compromise. As Colas pointed out, this also prevents deck damage when using the paddle as a standing aid and prevents any paddle blade damage from shallow ocks or reefs.
Select to expand quoteRossall said..
Been using the 3M tape for years and you can't go wrong. Cheap (ish) and easy to apply. And unlike Gong products available globally and probably from your local surf / SUP ship in SA.
Actually:
- 3M (8671HS) is nearly twice more expensive than rail savers sold in your local shop
- 3M compromises on protection for suppleness (to be able to wrap around helicopter or paddle blades). This is why I still use it for my paddle blades.
- I was citing Gong since this is what I use but I also stated that it is now similar to others.
- 3M is not found in surf shops. You may however find them in bike or car shop to protect paint from gravels, but beware of the cheap imitations that are clearly inferior, as they are much thinner.
PS: I was using U-joints for my paddle blades when I started SUPing, but with modern streamlined blades, they can induce a small "wobble" that may or may not bother you. I still have them for the old paddles I lend to beginners.
I simply use Railsaver pro in combination with paddle gard with good results
