Rail Tape on a DW Board?

[SUPJorge]

Given (what I believe to be) the overwhelming force of planing on a wave and the typical victory-at-sea conditions of surfing on the Florida East Coast, I happily have Rail Saver Pro tape on my surf board (Naish Hokua). I just took delivery of a 14' SIC Bullet V2 and was about to put the same tape on when I paused to ponder what the effect might be of putting tape on my new board, especially considering that, while I'm waiting for the tropical storm-related DWs we get in Miami during hurricane season, the SIC will double as a flatwater board.

Does anyone have any insight on the actual drag caused by the tape? Will the drag created by the tape have a meaningful effect on the board's slipperiness through the water? 

 

[komsup]

i have no idea regarding drag... sure someone also will know something & i look fwd to reading & learning.
my thoughts are to work on my engine & the tape is to protect the board (mine takes a pounding when the wind pumps, in & out the water)

[PonoBill]

No effect. I've measured it with my zippy instantaneous speedometer. Of course the input power (me) is highly variable, but the measured effect was a very small increase in speed, which is highly doubtful, so I think I can safely say none.

[yugi]

Rail Saver is going to have less drag than dings would.

[headmount]

Rail Saver is going to have less drag than dings would.

This is true.  I use the RSP and love it.  If you look at the surface you'll see a texture that is very hydrodynamic.  They researched this stuff well.  It's great and IF you don't like it, you can peel it off easily, unlike many other rail tapes

It's also rugged and comes in handy if you ever have your board on rough ground on its rail.  I wish the whole top of the board could be covered with it