What rail shape?

[wyatt]

Hey All,
I am working on the 8' board and I am getting ready to shape the rails. I am a woodworker, not a surfer, so I have no experience as to what shape works best. I have done some research, but wanted to see if anyone here had any advice, by the sound of it, the rails make a big difference. So...that being said, I am up in the air between a full round rail and a tucked under rail. I am looking for the best all around shape, and both styles seem to fit that, but of course, there are drawbacks to both. Round rails mean suction where as edgy rails release. Round rails seem to be good on smaller waves, but have a maximum speed where the board will not go any faster. They ride in the whitewash better than an edgy rail. The tucked under is a compromise rail, the tucked under edge gives some release (improved speed and will ride a bit more in front of the wave) while the rounded rail gives some suction....so pretty much combines some riding aspects of both types of rails...a bit of a jack of all trades master of none from what I gather.

Any advice will be appreciated.

-Thanks

[apauly1954]

Hi wyatt,

What I usually do on boards that are not high performance shortboards is 50/50 egg rails right along the board other than the tail (the last foot or 14" of the board) where I do a pulled down or edgy rail to give release & aid turning in the fin area. I also use this system on mini/midi simmons shapes.

Seems to work well but others may have some differing ideas & also I'd suggest you see what Chad says he has used on 8 footers he has built.

Cheers,
Pauly

[bigape]

I've never shaped rails before. How do you make sure that you are getting the same shape on both sides? Seems that if you eyeball it you'll get uneven rails, yes?

[TimelessSurf]

Since the rail shape is roughed in by design, just keep track of the amounts of cuts on each side. After that it's just lighting and feel.