Unlike this picture, I prefer not to paint boards.  It does save work to be able to leave the board(s) floating at neutral, but as I see it the trade-off is against you.

In my experience every board will get damaged.  Even a gravel bank will scuff it up some.  A reef will do even more.  Doing the sanding for repairs on a board can be poisonous.  I killed the lawn for several years where I sanded the tip of my rudder once.  Throw a halyard on the board(s) and pull up until its out.  You will be appreciated by your future self.