The reason removing the tail feathers makes this hull faster is that the prop doesn't have to lift all that weight. Horizon designed this boat with heavier tails and wing to survive a blow over without breaking, but at the cost of considerable weight. If you like the look, you can cut them off and make hollow wood or removable glass replacements at about half the weight of the molded ones. If you do this, be sure to install some re-enforcement for your mounting system.