Rail Descriptions
- Round rail: a well rounded rail that almost forms a complete semi-circle.
- Down rail or down-turned rail: a rail coming to an edge at the bottom of the board.
- Rolled rail: a down rails that is rolled under the board.
- Egg rail: similar to round rail but more drawn out (like an egg).
What do surfboard rails do?
The rail of a surfboard is the perimeter edge of the board. It determines how the board turns and interacts with the water. Rails are the outer edge of a board. They affect how well your board can dip under the water, affecting turning and speed. When riding a wave, the rails dictate how the water will move around your board.
What does 80 20 rail mean on a surfboard?
The rails of a surfboard are the edge of the board and runs the entire length of the board. The rails are considered the most important part of the board since it is It also determines how well the board will float on top of the water and determines how well it will turn in large waves. Surfboard rails are broken down into hard rails or soft rails as well as where they fold on the surfboard.
What is the best foil for a surfboard rail?
To put it simply, the rails of a surfboard are its edges. Surfboard rails run the full length of your surfboard on each side from the nose (or front) to the tail (or end). Surfboard rails are KEY to how the water will move around your surfboard when you are up on the wave. The rails on your surfboard are most narrow at the nose and tail, and are the thickest up in the center.
Are harder or thinner surfboard rails better?
A surfboard rail is the outer edge surrounding the blank of a surfboard. The angle of the rail at the nose and tail of the board affects maneuverability, buoyancy, and stability. Soft rails, or more rounded rails, are best for beginners due to their buoyancy and stability, while hard rails, or sharper rails, are used by advanced surfers for their maneuverability and how they can aid in …
What does it mean to surf on rail?
If you watch closely, you will notice that advanced surfers always shift their weight to the inside rail (the one facing the wave) on the way up; and then shift their weight to the outside rail (the one facing the shore) on the way down.Jun 8, 2017
What are rail channels on a surfboard?
Channels are a design tool to cut paths for water and air to pass quickly, with forced direction, though the bottom curves of a surfboard. Similar to concaves, of course, but more dramatic and usually more focused.Nov 18, 2016
What does 50/50 rail mean in a surfboard?
The 50/50 rail lets some water slip by, so you must increase the fin area or move the fin aft for more leverage. 50/50 rails feel somewhat smoother – they have that glide feel. They find a slightly lower line on the wave, and seem to nose ride with a little more control.
What are boxy rails on a surfboard?
Boxy rails A full - round rail. Boxy rails will vary in volume with the overall thickness of a surfboard. The top of a boxy rail will flow out of a relatively flat or very moderately crowned deck. This rail configuration is generally applied to shorter lower volume boards.
Where is the rail on a surfboard?
Surfboard rails run the full length of your surfboard on each side from the nose (or front) to the tail (or end). Surfboard rails are KEY to how the water will move around your surfboard when you are up on the wave. The rails on your surfboard are most narrow at the nose and tail, and are the thickest up in the center.May 28, 2009
What does full rail mean?
Full rails will feel thick and provide lots of flotation, while thin rails will allow sharp turns and sit lower in the water. Although full rails are more difficult to turn, they generate more speed through turns because of the buoyancy force of the water pushing back against the surfer.Aug 4, 2017
How do you train rail to surf?
2:2412:31How to Surf Better Generate Speed "Rail to Rail" Plus Carver Surf Skate ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFor the turn and power watch now i'm going to start compressing on the way down you see that i'mMoreFor the turn and power watch now i'm going to start compressing on the way down you see that i'm compressing. Watch me start extending here it goes there i'm extending.
What are 60 40 rails?
60/40 rail is going to be turned down with the apex slightly under the middle of the curve of the rail. This type of rail can be blended into both soft and hard rails and is also a great option on smaller wave grovelers, fish and Fun Board options. They generally give you a good blend of maneuverability and stability.
What makes a surfboard a fish?
The shape of a typical fish surfboard is meant to give an intermediate rider a much more pleasurable experience on waves that are generally small and not all that thrilling. The wide and flat bottom makes it much more stable than a shortboard. It is also thicker and has more volume which adds to the stability.Jul 27, 2020
What is concave on a surfboard?
Concaves on surfboards are used to channel the direction of the water flow under the surfboard towards the fins. They also allow air to get under the surfboard when you are surfing on a wave. (A bit like an aquaplane.) Concaves on your surfboard will increase both its sensitivity and speed.Jun 24, 2009
What is The Rail On A Surfboard? Surfboard Rails Explained
Picking out what surfboard to buy requires a lot more research on what surfboard will fit your needs than the color and design of the surfboard. There are many different styles and constructions to surfboards. Surfboard rails are one important aspect to research before purchasing a new surfboard. Surfboard rails come in different shapes and styles.
Parts of a Surfboard
A surfboard is made up of three parts which are referred to as the nose, rails, and tail.
Hard Rails V.S. Soft Rails
The rails of a surfboard are broken down into hard rails or soft rails. The hard rails are sharper edges to the surfboard and have less padding on the edges. Soft rails have more padding to the edges of the surfboard so they are more rounded.
Soft Rails
Soft rails do not have such a “sharp” curve to them and are more rounded and smooth on the edges. The soft edges allow for more foam on the sides which makes the surfboard float better on the water. The extra foam makes these surfboards lighter and why soft rails float better.
Hard Rails
Hard rails are referred to as hard due to the “sharp” shape of the curve. Hard rails are best for making quick turns and swiftly moving through the water. Hard rail surfboards have sharper edges than soft rail surfboards. These sharp edges help the board cut through big waves better which is why they are easier to maneuver.
Surfboard Folds
The fold of the rail on a surfboard refers to where on the board the surfboard curves.
Which Surfboard is Best For Me?
Each surfboard comes with its own benefits and situations that they work best for.
How does a surfboard rail work?
To put it simply, the rails of a surfboard are its edges. Surfboard rails run the full length of your surfboard on each side from the nose (or front) to the tail (or end). Surfboard rails are KEY to how the water will move around your surfboard when you are up on the wave.
What is the purpose of a medium rail surfboard?
The medium rails will ensure that your surfboard is not too unstable but will still be able to turn tightly. The medium rails will give you great ...
Why do surfboards have softer rails?
Long surfboards generally have softer rails to aid the board in flotation and stability.
Why do surfboards cut through water?
The harder the rails on the surfboard, the easier that particular edge will cut through the water. This is because there is less resistance against the water.
What is a soft rail on a surfboard?
Softer rails make for a more forgiving surfboard, but you won't be able to turn as easily as someone with a harder rail . If you're getting a custom board made and don't know what to do, the best solution to this is to have medium rails on your surfboard.
Can a longboard glide?
The longboard is going to glide along, not perform radical cutbacks and tight maneuvers in most instances. Of course there will be exceptions to this rule: different designs and fins will let you coax different performance out of your surfboard.
What are Surfboard Rails & What Do They Do?
In simple terms, the rails of a surfboard are the edges or the sides of a surfboard. They span the full length of your surfboard, from the nose to the tail, and cover both sides.
Surfboard Rails: Hard Rails vs Soft Rails
The rails of a surfboard will dictate how easy it is to glide through the water and the types of turns your surfboard will do well with.
What is Surfboard Rail Foil?
The foil of a surfboard rail refers to its thickness and how the material is distributed along the rail. The foil generally varies in range from a 50/50 to 80/20.
How Do I Choose A Surfboard Rail Shape?
If you’re a beginner surfer, you don’t need to worry about the exact rail specifications of your surfboard. Just look for something that is long, affordable, and provides a lot of volume and stability, as that will help with paddling and will allow you to tackle small to medium waves without issue.
Conclusion: Surfboard Rails
The rails of a surfboard are why surfers primarily buy surfboards. They pick up the surfboard, put it under their arm like they are walking to the beach and determine if they like the feel of the surfboard by holding the rail.
Where are the rails on a surfboard?
The rails are the "edge" of the surfboard and run from the tail to the nose of the board. Rails are where the deck and the bottom meet. Like the other parts of the surfboard, rails have their part to play in shaping the overall performance of the surfboard.
What is a rail?
Rails can be described not only in general terms like hard and soft but also in more abstract terms like characteristics of shape and proportionality as a ratio of distance of the widest point between the deck and the bottom of the board. Round rail: a well rounded rail that almost forms a complete semi-circle.
What determines how water flows over a board?
The shape of the rails determines how water flows over them when the board is planing and turning. Different shapes have different uses. Rails are thickest towards the center of the board and thinnest at the tail and nose.
What is a hard rail?
Hard and Soft Rails. Hard rails and soft rails are the two main types of rails. Soft rails are nice and rounded with no defined edges and a smooth transition. Hard rails have a distinct edge and may meet the bottom of the board in a corner.
Do longboards have soft rails?
Soft rails are common on traditional longboards and provide good stability and plenty of drive. However, a board with soft rails will not turn as easily as a hard-railed board. The harder the rail, the quicker and tighter the board will turn.
What is hard rail on a surfboard?
Hard Rails, which are more commonly found on higher performance boards, have a more defined edge at a certain point around the curve of the rail towards the underside of the board. This helps the rail to bite into the wave face and give you more hold in critical surf and helps you respond better through turns.
What does a surfboard tail do?
Surfboard shapes with a tail that has rounder angles or no angles, is going to help you ‘hold’ the water for a little longer. This will translate into more control of the board. When you get harder angles in the tail, more water will “release” and give you a looser, more snappy feel to the board.
What is the best surfboard for beginners?
Longboards – maybe one of the most iconic surfboard shapes. These boards are ideal for beginners because they offer better stability, easy to paddle, and can be used for small waves. Longboards are usually 4 to 11 feet long, have a round nose with a rounded tail pin tail or square tail.
What are the factors that determine a surfboard's performance?
Some of the biggest factors, however, are directly related to the outline of the surfboard or surf board shape. The Nose, Rails and Tails and how they are linked together are massive in creating a good board.
What are the different tail shapes for DHD surfboards?
Different tail shapes from DHD Surfboards, from top down: the Joyride, the Twin Fin and the Pocket Knife.
What foils are used for surf boards?
The general foil of your rail will make a difference in performance. The exact foil of your rail can be different depending on surf board shapes, however there are a few trusted foils generally used, which are 50/50, 60/40 and 80/20. This relates to where the apex of the rail is around the curve.
What is the nose on a surfboard?
The Nose. When it comes to determining surfboard shapes, the first third of your board is known as the nose. When we talk about nose width, we take that measurement from 12 inches down from the tip. The shape of the nose is a key element in how the board paddles and catches waves.
What is a surfboard rail?
Surf More. Surfboard rails are the literal ‘edges’ of your surfboard that run from the tail of the board all the way to the nose. If you were to grab a board and hold it up in front of you, your hands would be cupping around the rails of the board. Different boards rails have different types of curvature. .
How do surfboard rails affect the way a board rides?
They affect the way that your board paddles, floats, and (most significantly) the way that it turns in the water. When looking at different surfboard shapes, to understand the hydrodynamics of a rail, you will have to understand the elements of: Soft Surfboard Rails.
Why do surfboards have less volume?
Less Volume in the Rails. Because hard surfboard rails are angled and sharp, they will have less volume throughout the rails. The lessened volume allows the surfer to maintain complete control over the way that the board responds to both wave and surfer movements.
What is a soft rail on a surfboard?
A soft rail is nice and full, containing more room for the surfboard foam along its edges. Because it has more foam (or volume), this is going to give a surfboard with soft rails more buoyancy when floating in the water.
What does increased rail volume mean?
Increased Rail Volume = Buoyancy and Floatability. When learning how to catch waves, you need as much floatability as possible. This will make it much easier to catch waves. Also, when surfing small waves, extra buoyancy can make up for the lessened energy of the wave. Soft rails will help you to maintain the buoyancy needed for surfing.
Why do you need soft rails on a board?
The water flow around soft rails will also help to hold your board steady through turns, as it prevents you from hitting sharp bumps or edges.
Why do surfboards have soft rails?
Because of this rounded direction of water flow, a surfboard with soft rails will be less responsive to the rider’s movements.
