Thin, thick, soft or hard rails. Please explain.

[Bub]

Before posting this I tried to research old posts to see if my questions can be answered but I had little luck. I figured I'd start a new post on the subject just incase any other newbies need educated as well. Explain what each term means and what is gained or lost by each board design. The only take home message I have learned is that hard rails (i.e. the sides of the board are squared off...more at 90 degree angles) allow for better bottom turns, carving, manuverability. I guess if you're a newbie/ wobbler you'd want soft rails because you just want to maintain balance on the board and if it keeps a straight line you have a better chance of maintaining balance? Please fill in the gaps, I'd like to learn more on the subject especially if I'm off target on what little I think I know about it.

[surf patrol]

Check out the surfboard rails article for starters

[Bub]

Check out the surfboard rails article for starters

Thanks, that link did help alot...I read all of those information and instructional links on this site numerous times, I must have overlooked the rails info. before. So just wondering, what would happen if you designed a longboard with hard rails? Soft rails = better stability Hard rails= better turning and manuverability. So wouldn't an experienced longboarder that has no problems with the pop-up and balancing etc, be want harder rails to be able to do a little bit more with his/her board? Aside from being a beginner and learning to balance easily is there any reason an intermediate or advanced surfer would desire soft rails (even on a long board)? Maybe soft rails make it easier to walk out to the nose?
Not sure.

[drowningbitbybit]

Know your surfboard (bit about rails at the bottom)