Starboard "rail Protection" what is it?

[spleeft]

...works Great! Is it just heavy duty sail tape?

[mrpete]

Not sure, but i thought it was cool when i saw it...
I ended up with a Naish. Put on the "rail saver" tape, and it was a pain to get it just right, even and what not. I have the edge guard on my paddle. Wonder if anyone uses both? I currently am, but wonder if i could remove the rail saver tape. Sure was expensive for what it was...

[newton333]

their paddles have a little bit of hard rubber on the edges. i think that is what it is the paddles that have this seem on the heavy side however.

[Easy Rider]

It's a 3M product - much like the "clear bra" stuff you stick on the front of your car to protect against stone chips.

[juandoe]

This is the stuff Easy Rider is referring to
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/6-x-60-3M-Paint-Protection-Film-Clear-Bra-Bulk-Roll-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem35ab01ba65QQitemZ230502283877QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

I buy it in 4 or 6 in widths and split it down the middle with a straight edge and xacto knife.  Works great.   Put it on my first board 3 years ago and it still looks perfect.  In fact, it is cleaner than the rest of the board.  I have it on 5 boards now and I think it works great.  Cheap insurance.  If you have ever tried the cell phone covers like Zagg  Invisible shield, then it should be familiar.

[LagoonSurfer]

I have used both but I have found (over the past 2 years) that you don't need both at the same time. I tend to rely on just the paddle guard (and really advise not just to protect your equipment but YOU in the event of a wipe-out or mishap). I've gone with just the paddle guard and witnessed no damage to the boards.

[LagoonSurfer]

Oh, and for a fraction of the cost at the local hardware store you can use electrical tape and it works awesome (by ALL means just as well for sure). 

[spleeft]

can you'all give more detail on your paddle gaurds? do they go on the blade, or just the shaft, fit on any paddle, etc.?
Thanks for all the replies!

PS found the rail gaurd tape here for $15
http://www.autobodytoolmart.com/3m-scotchgard-paint-protection-film-strips-p-14225.aspx

[Aiyah]

which is best, rail protection or a paddle guard? or does it really matter?

[juandoe]

can you'all give more detail on your paddle gaurds? do they go on the blade, or just the shaft, fit on any paddle, etc.?
Thanks for all the replies!

PS found the rail gaurd tape here for $15
http://www.autobodytoolmart.com/3m-scotchgard-paint-protection-film-strips-p-14225.aspx

That is the tape I use for the paddle edge.  It is pretty thin stuff but helps take the razor edge off my quickblade elite.  It also has a stronger adhesive than the clear bra stuff.

[RecSuppa]

I only use the paddle guard, it really works.

The main advantage I see over the rail tape is that if you have your paddles protected (I have two), every board you ride is already protected. Also, it protects you taking away the "razor blade" risk. Down side is that it adds a little extra weight to the blade, but it doesn't affect performance (unless you're a top athlete trying to break speed records...)

You can buy it from SUP related companies, C4 is the one that comes to mind right now. Or you can use some car windshield rubber ("U" profile), super glue and mast tape to make them by yourself. I made mine and they work great. 

[AJR]

I like the paddle guard myself too; the protection goes with me if I try someone else's board. 

My latest guard was at the recommendation of a local shaper.  Get some black door edge guard for a truck or van from your local auto store.  Then you wrap it along the edge of the paddle and tape the ends (I used some leftover C4 handle grip tape but you could probably use mastic tape or even super glue).  Make sure to get the truck/van edge guard - it comes in longer lengths and it's a little thicker than the car version...

[ODJ]

i prefer a paddle guard over rail tape. i've been using mastic tape, but will soon be trying out car door molding. the mastic tape works well, but wears out, and leaves black streaks all over the rails (which easily comes off with goo gone or a magic eraser). Many here have recommended going to the auto parts store and buying truck/van car door molding and using that as a paddle guard. like another poster mentioned you get two benefits; your rails are protected, and YOU are protected from the paddle as well. Also, if you have multiple boards you only have to protect the one paddle instead of protecting the rails on all of your boards.