I've been SUPing now for about 6 years.

.. and still we have paddles that ding rails.

.. and rails that are dingable.

.. we shouldn't need to buy and fit rail tape.

.. the products we use should be compatible.

.. shouldn't they ?

Yes.

You're still hitting your rails after six years!..

No

.. but I take a lot of learn to SUP classes.

I think Starboard are onto something with their new rail construction on some of their 2017 boards..

I don't see why paddles don't come standard with something like the RSPro paddle guard.. Maybe one day.

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2MT said..
I've been SUPing now for about 6 years.

.. and still we have paddles that ding rails.

.. and rails that are dingable.

.. we shouldn't need to buy and fit rail tape.

.. the products we use should be compatible.

.. shouldn't they ?

This is all very true but a bucket load of paint can hide all sorts of cheap materials and poor workmanship. Look for a board that has a clear glass job or resin tint and no paint and you should solve all your woes.

It is all posable if they chose not to cut corners

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DavidJohn said...
You're still hitting your rails after six years!..

Best comment ever. Feckn first world problem.

As supuk says, it doesn't have to be this way. John Lydon said it best:



Hopefully Starboard have taken a step in the right direction. But one day soon globalisation is going to be a dirty word and we'll all be buying our SUPs from local shapers and then none of them will have any paint to chip.

- Some paddles have an ABS edge that alleviate the problem (the Gong ones for instance, even the high end 100% carbon)
- Most brands have now rails that are much more resistant

The question is: would you rather have a boards that get some paint chips once in a while, or one 1kg heavier? I would chose the lighter option!

people ding rails...........paddles dont

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mybrosweeper said..
people ding rails...........paddles dont

The classic NRA defence.

Dig deeper with your paddle

THESE PADDLES WON'T

DING YOUR RAILS

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DoctorSUP said...

THESE PADDLES WON'T

DING YOUR RAILS

Where can we get them doc?

The only way to stop a bad guy with a paddle is..... a good guy with a paddle - they don't damage their rails

if you go to clark rubber you can buy slotted rubber edging.
i stick it around the paddles and never have a problem.
its cheap and offers much more protection than rail tape at about 1.5 mm thick.
you can use silicon or liquid nails to stick it.i prefer liquid nails.
theres heaps of different types of edging to choose from,i think i paid about 8 bucks a meter.
works for me , hope this helps.

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Smash1 said..
The only way to stop a bad guy with a paddle is..... a good guy with a paddle - they don't damage their rails

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riverider said..

DoctorSUP said...

THESE PADDLES WON'T

DING YOUR RAILS

Where can we get them doc?

The elves refuse to accept any more orders for Christmas

There's a 30 day waiting period right now

Phone 0427 600 333

Thanks for your interesting comments

SUMMARY:

* Starboard rail construction is evolving

* RS Pro paddle guard is now available

* No paint .. clear/tint glass jobs will help

* Dig deeper with your paddle .. always an option

* Don't paddle unless you're really good at it

* Watersport TAS ding proof paddles are now available

Get a plastic board.or inflatable

or mana soft top.

a resin board will alway chip or ding .But......we love the performance .

I put pigmented hot & finish coats on the boards I build for myself, paddle strikes are never a problem. Any light scuff marks are easily wiped/sanded off with 2000 grit wet dry sandpaper with zero effort. As said before a hack glass job can be covered up easily by filler and a slick paint job. Looks good...but strength can be suspect.

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Tardy said..
Get a plastic board.or inflatable

or mana soft top.

a resin board will alway chip or ding .But......we love the performance .

That is the point a good board made properly does not have the paint chip. If it does chip the board is not fit for purpose.

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2MT said..
* RS Pro paddle guard is now available

As much as love RS Pro products, I am not fan of their paddle guard:
- it is too short: As I dig a lot my paddle, my paddle hits are actually on the blade edge quite close to the shaft not covered by it
- it is extra expensive for its size... and it wears out quite fast, as unlike rail guards, the hits are always on the same spot

I recommend 3M Helicopter tape: better than the RS Pro paddle guard: thicker, as least as extensible, quality adhesive. And much cheaper.
I cut it in 1/2" x 3' bands for a paddle and I apply over it some bright red or orange electrical tape for visibility (finding the paddle if it let it go) and disposable wear protection.

Anyways, mechanically, having two hard surfaces collide will do damage, to either board or paddle. You need some shock absorber between them, as car safety advances have demonstrated.