Author Topic: rail tape vs paddle guard  (Read 23822 times)

exetersup

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rail tape vs paddle guard
« on: December 15, 2010, 07:10:24 PM »
I know this topic has been brought up, but I'm curious to know why one way works better for some than others. And way do boards with a glossy finish have such high maintnence? My old board with more of a matte finish barely had a scuff from scraping my rails. My new board with high gloss is all marked up only after 1 session. Not sure if I'll tape the paddle (likely) or tape the rails (probably not unless I need to cover up the scuffs).
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808

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Re: rail tape vs paddle guard
« Reply #1 on: December 15, 2010, 07:15:47 PM »
I prefer the paddle guard. The tape on the rails frays at the edges and looks bad after a while. The paddle guard is way easier to replace if you need to IMHO.

raf

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Re: rail tape vs paddle guard
« Reply #2 on: December 15, 2010, 07:46:46 PM »
A lot of those marks will disappear with a quick wipe of a rag and mineral spirits.  Keeps demo boards looking like new.

river

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Re: rail tape vs paddle guard
« Reply #3 on: December 15, 2010, 08:36:07 PM »
You would be surprised how much the paddle edge guards affect paddle performance, lots of drag on the release, added swing weight, excessive drag while feathering, etc...  On the other hand the rail tape can not be felt in term of performance on the board IMO.  Why would you reduce paddle performance when it's the board mfg's that need to address the rail ding issues?  I believe this is a call to the board mfg's to make better rails where they get banged up the most.  I have yet to see a Werner paddle fall apart from hitting the rails.
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808

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Re: rail tape vs paddle guard
« Reply #4 on: December 15, 2010, 08:44:20 PM »
Wow River thanks I had no idea about the paddle performance. Thanks for the heads up. I guess the best thing to do would be to work on your stroke so you don't bang your rails.
 
« Last Edit: December 15, 2010, 08:46:34 PM by 808 »

surfcowboy

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Re: rail tape vs paddle guard
« Reply #5 on: December 15, 2010, 08:49:16 PM »
I rode a rental recently that had grip tape for rail tape. Do not use that, it tore my belly up getting back on the board.

I rock the mastic tape on my paddle edge and I seriously doubt you'd feel a difference, it's less than a mm added around it. Not like the "edge guard" stuff.

Sometimes I need a Magic Eraser to get a black mark off after a wild wipeout, but no dings so far.

Boludo

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Re: rail tape vs paddle guard
« Reply #6 on: December 15, 2010, 10:19:43 PM »
I just like running pvc pipe tape (I think it's 20 mil).  Or just regular electrical tape.  Don't like how thick the paddle guards are and I don't like putting rail tape on my board.

jdmotes

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Re: rail tape vs paddle guard
« Reply #7 on: December 16, 2010, 04:59:06 AM »
 Lately, I've been using the airplane/helicopter (clear) tape on my paddle edges. It's thinner than mastic, not black and it's super-strong... Later,   JD
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caRRera

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Re: rail tape vs paddle guard
« Reply #8 on: December 16, 2010, 12:56:48 PM »
I agree that a paddle guard affecte heavily the hydrodinamics of the paddle apart from ugly.

I've been testing lately a new rail tape, and it's impossible (for me) to diferentiate the board with the rail tape and the board without ... and it's beatiful, and you can even personalise it with your colors.

Tom

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Re: rail tape vs paddle guard
« Reply #9 on: December 16, 2010, 01:33:52 PM »
I use car door protector on the upper 1/3 of my paddle. When I went all the way around with it, I could feel the paddle vibrate when I paddled hard. I like having it on my paddle because the edge is very sharp and I think it protects me from cuts as well as the board.

I would like to see paddle manufacturers come out with a soft edged paddle, or at least a duller edged paddle. Some of the paddle edges are sharp as a knife. I also dull the trailing edge of my fins since I've been sliced pretty bad once.

Killafornia

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Re: rail tape vs paddle guard
« Reply #10 on: December 16, 2010, 02:30:30 PM »
I made my own paddle guard with 1/4" drip line and silicon.  Works great

ehrawn

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Re: rail tape vs paddle guard
« Reply #11 on: December 16, 2010, 10:03:11 PM »
Quote
You would be surprised how much the paddle edge guards affect paddle performance, lots of drag on the release, added swing weight, excessive drag while feathering, etc...

Quote
I agree that a paddle guard affecte heavily the hydrodinamics of the paddle apart from ugly.

What are you guys using for paddle guards? It was a couple of months before I started using the Surfco Hawaii kit and I've been very happy with it: not only did I not notice a decrease in performance when I did, I saw a significant decrease in the number of rail dings. It's lasted a year without any visible degradation- which I can't say for my buddy's rail tape. That stuff got tore up on his first paddle. As far as "ugly" goes, I doubt anyone even notices it that doesn't know it's there.

newton333

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Re: rail tape vs paddle guard
« Reply #12 on: December 17, 2010, 05:05:35 PM »
both are lame don't hit the board and you'll be good.

Puamana4me

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Re: rail tape vs paddle guard
« Reply #13 on: December 17, 2010, 05:34:00 PM »
For surfing-  clear paddle edging ( shops in So.Cal selling it for 5-7.00 for enough to do one paddle) it lasts a long time/no board marks

For racing - no paddle edge ( it does affect paddle performance) , no UGLY rail tape

kabeth

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Re: rail tape vs paddle guard
« Reply #14 on: December 18, 2010, 04:04:27 PM »
Me being parinoid for my 1st year out I put rail tape and paddle edging on.Next season I'm taking off the rail tape. Should I expect some residule glue from the tape?  If so what do I get it off with?

 


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