I noticed rail patches gained some popularity when some of the big name brands started putting them on their boards. Now I see guys on Swaylock’s putting them on boards, but I’m curious as to why. Didn’t those big name brands do it because most of their shortboards were only being glassed with one 4 oz. layer of E glass on the deck? If you use two layers of 4 oz. or more on the deck, aren’t rail patches unnecessary?
I typically do two layers of 4 oz. S-glass or one 4 oz. and one 6 oz. S-glass (depending on the board) with RR epoxy. Is it correct of me to assume that I’d never need a rail patch with this method?
Carbon has high tensile strength which is good for flexibility, but carbon has very little impact strength so i have never really seen a need for it on the rails. but that is just my .02
been seeing a lot of boards with carbon tail patches, so i figured i would try them myself too see if they really are magical/worthy of the hype..
So i shaped a little 5'7 . 18 3/4 . 2 1/4 grovel board for myself with 4oz all over and carbon patches on each rail.
what i've found is: the tail flex is completely different and its far too rigid because of the carbon's strength property's and the nature of its flex property's.
i have also found that while i wont be able to kick my foot through the tail/rail where the patches are but consequently along the edges of the patchs and around the patch in general is a weak spot, where the carbon being so rigid has transfered the pressure you would put on the rail back into the board where the patch stops therefore making a weak spot just off the patch. if that makes sense?!
i'm finding lots of people are interested in carbon patches, but personally i just think they are a bit of a gimmicky marketing thing more than anything else... but hey, thats just my opinion.. the carbon fiber is cheap(ish) and a board with patches will definitely sell for more and/or faster.
Thats why i went with a nylon based patch, or the fiberglass based patch. They both have a composit carbon look, but do not change the flex pattern. They do help with with the rail crush problems when sandwhiched b/w cloths layers. Ive been testing quite a bit lately and kiterider is right about it being even stronger between the layers of cloth vs under both layers.
Would 12" of carbon affect the flex in the tail? With boxes and box patches plus two layers of cloth on the deck all in the same area? You would never feel the dif. On lite weight glass jobs it will help with tail cancer. Its a plus in cool looks and cancer prevention. Other then that it may make your tail even more heavy. If it did do anything it may add a little Poop to your board. When it comes to flex it’s in how the board twist not bend. Those $100 wonder Rail patches wouldn’t hurt the twist in anyway. The board would still load up.