Standup Zone Forum

Stand Up Paddle => SUP General => Topic started by: exiled on July 29, 2016, 03:28:55 PM

Title: extra wide deckpads a good idea?
Post by: exiled on July 29, 2016, 03:28:55 PM

So a just traded boards with a guy who added traction pads to his board all the way across the deck and over the side to the midpoint of his rails. He swore it didn't effect performance, but I don't see how that could be true, but it did get me wondering: For those of you who have installed your own deck pads, do you have any guidelines about how far from the rail you keep your pad? On my production boards I'm seeing anything from 0 to 2 inches from the start of the rail.

Title: Re: extra wide deckpads a good idea?
Post by: Easy Rider on July 29, 2016, 03:35:06 PM

Once it touches the water - it is slowing you down. 

Title: Re: extra wide deckpads a good idea?
Post by: Easy Rider on July 29, 2016, 03:35:13 PM

~ weird double post ~

Title: Re: extra wide deckpads a good idea?
Post by: exiled on July 29, 2016, 03:50:15 PM

Yes, it would probably be more fair to say that it didn't bother him than to say that it didn't effect performance.

But how far from the rails to you go to keep your deck pad from slowing you down?

Title: Re: extra wide deckpads a good idea?
Post by: Sup-position on July 29, 2016, 03:55:51 PM

On customs I go this far..

Title: Re: extra wide deckpads a good idea?
Post by: exiled on July 29, 2016, 04:13:14 PM

Thanks for the reference! At the rear third of the pad it looks like its getting close enough to the rail that it would get wet

Title: Re: extra wide deckpads a good idea?
Post by: Sup-position on July 29, 2016, 04:29:59 PM

No issues and fast.

Title: Re: extra wide deckpads a good idea?
Post by: Subber on July 29, 2016, 04:40:38 PM

Sometimes the pads are not wide enough.

On my Laird, long ago, I slipped when I stepped
on the side of the board but beyond the pad.

Ha! I was sure I would have made the cutback if
I hadn't slipped on the non-tractioned part of the
deck near the rail.  (well, I was pretty sure)

So, I added extra bits of traction along each side
of the pad - pretty far out, but it doesn't touch the
water unless you lay the board on its side....if it does
then, I've noticed no performance issue.

Also, one time I backed way up onto the back of the board
and slipped.  Again....ha, I was sure I wouldn't have
fallen if their had been traction there....so I added some
traction bits behind the pad.

No issues since.

Title: Re: extra wide deckpads a good idea?
Post by: PonoBill on July 29, 2016, 05:26:17 PM

Most people stand on SUPs with their feet too wide apart. If you're really getting on the rail to tuen hard, then wax it. You don't need the consistent standing ability of a pad, and you shouldn't have it. Bad habit.

Title: Re: extra wide deckpads a good idea?
Post by: TallDude on July 29, 2016, 08:56:15 PM

I have a size 14 foot. That will slow me more than any deck pad.

Title: Re: extra wide deckpads a good idea?
Post by: Bean on July 29, 2016, 09:35:43 PM

TD, a 14 should be an advantage since you don't have to shift your feet rail to rail as much...