How to Choose Rails on a Surfboard

To choose rails on a surfboard you must first how you want the surfboard to move in the water because different shaped rails respond differently to your movements and to the waves. Once you've chosen the proper rail to fit your surfing needs, you can move on to shaping the rails. Here are few tips on how to choose rails on a surfboard.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Caliper
• Surfboard template

1. Go for hard rails if you want the surfboard to respond quickly to your movements. Hard rails allow for easy maneuverability for quick and tight turns on the waves.
2. Choose soft rails if you want more stability in your surfboard. Soft rails give you more stability when riding bigger waves.
3. Decide on a "tucked under" edge. If you want both easy maneuverability and stability while riding big waves, the tucked under design offers the benefits of both hard and soft rails.
4. Measure the thickness of the surfboard. After you've decided on what type of rails you want, you have to use a caliper to make sure the surfboard is the thickness you want. If it is too thick in some places, you have to plane those places down until they are even with the rest of the board.
5. Shape the rails using a template. In order to make sure the rails are exactly as you want them, use a template to avoid misshaping them.

Tips & Warnings

• Always choose thicker rails if you're a beginner. Thicker rails float better and help to prevent you from sinking while honing your surfing skills.