Got a new wave SUP. ASked for RSPro to be put on it for me. NIce looking job EXCEPt the wrap goes onto the bottom if the board. THoughts?
Need to redo? Will it affect performance?

What board?

I actually deliberately wrapped the rail tape (RS Pro) a little bit round onto the underside of my Naish Nalu 10-6 because I was fed up with it chipping just where the rail meets the bottom everytime I picked it up off a stoney beach. I wondered if it would affect performance, but I've not noticed anything.

Maybe if you were Kai Lenny in perfect conditions you might. But most of us aren't. Who knows, maybe with some boards it might even increase performance in some ways.

So if I were you I wouldn't worry about it, and just get out there and enjoy your new board.

95% rider 5% equipment

99.5% rider 0.5% equipment.

I have wondered about the RSP (which I love)

Reason:
rails have soft curves forward, to use "surface tension" to stick the rail to a steep wave face...
It occurred to me that the textured surface of the RSP might create cavitation, which would seem to break the "seal" that holds the board on the wall.

I have never noticed a problem from that, but still... I wonder if it has an effect.... especially in noseriding.

JL Stun gun
Tape not at crtical back section

I Hate rail tape -
- it creates drag,
- it adds weight,
- it looks cheap & messy (also if you nick / scratch it),
- it wrecks your board when you put it on,
- it wrecks your board when you remove it,
- it is not worth it so instead just put some tape on your paddle blade instead (if you have to :-)

i can see reasons to not want it but weight?
Please

Rail Tape is a NO Brainer... 99.9% of Paddle Boards should put it on your SUP.

Your board will look better for longer, it minimises damage and helps retain a better resale value.

The Only reason you might refrain in my opinion is if you really want the extra 0.1% extra in performance accessible on the cleanest waves.

For most of us the Benefits hugely outweigh the negatives

Ben

Just don,t use the Ocean and Earth tape. It's terrible, just put it on my jp and it lasted 2 weeks before it started to unstick its self. Just spent two hours removing the tape and the horrible sticky mess, got there in the end thanks to De-Solve-it from Bunnings. That stuff is amazing.

Anyways back lack to the trusty 3M 50 mm tape tomorrow

phil

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toolate said..
i can see reasons to not want it but weight?
Please

The two I can think of:

- If you already tape your paddle blades, you do not need it, once not a beginner anymore, and with a well-built board. And you should protect your paddle blade for its durability, unless maybe you race competitively. I tape if for visibility anyways to find it in whitewater.
- Opaque tapes may conceal damage and you may not see dings when they happen
- If you use RSpro, one of the best rail tape, you cannot use paddle guards, the rail pro will eat through it: so for me it is either rail or paddle protection.

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colas said..

toolate said..
i can see reasons to not want it but weight?
Please

The two I can think of:

- If you already tape your paddle blades, you do not need it, once not a beginner anymore, and with a well-built board. And you should protect your paddle blade for its durability, unless maybe you race competitively. I tape if for visibility anyways to find it in whitewater.
- Opaque tapes may conceal damage and you may not see dings when they happen
- If you use RSpro, one of the best rail tape, you cannot use paddle guards, the rail pro will eat through it: so for me it is either rail or paddle protection.

One thing though Colas....rail tape an prevent chipping simply from placing your board on its rails on stoney ground or rough surfaces. It isn't just about paddle whacks,. I use helicopter tape.

For those who use rail tape .....do you spray the the rail surface with mildly soapy water (sprayed on) before applying tape to allow for refinement of placement before it sets ?

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Johndesu said..
I Hate rail tape -
- it creates drag, its a SUP not a salt racer
- it adds weight, i its a SUP not F1
- it looks cheap & messy (also if you nick / scratch it), I guess that depends on how you apply it
- it wrecks your board when you put it on, Never once on all my boards
- it wrecks your board when you remove it, Again, never once on my boards
- it is not worth it so instead just put some tape on your paddle blade instead (if you have to :-) I guess you dont touch your rails. Can you start some surf clinics sounds like you are the Kelly Slater of SUP,,,

see replies in bold above

I to have used Ocean and Earth rail tape lasted less than a week on one side the other side came off in the surf . I clean the rails with alcohol spray from the chemist before putting on .

White spirit to clean first

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Gone to dark side said..
I to have used Ocean and Earth rail tape lasted less than a week on one side the other side came off in the surf . I clean the rails with alcohol spray from the chemist before putting on .

Yeah same here, applied to a brand new board and the stuff was bloody useless.

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Gboots said..
For those who use rail tape .....do you spray the the rail surface with mildly soapy water (sprayed on) before applying tape to allow for refinement of placement before it sets ?

No, I never have and have never had a problem with both 3M or the better product RS Pro

Any details of where to get the 3M tape and the product name of it (there's lots of types of 3M tape)?