London Hi There, been riding the Grip 81 here in Cape Town the last 3 days, so much fun - and funnily enough I was looking at the back footstrap when helping a friend set his 81 up - someone who used it before had put the back strap all the way back, which indeed reminds of the Tabou/Stubby - but when it is mounted on the second hole from the back, it is absolutely fine - remember the outline/wide point, straps, fins are all slightly further back - I am always the first one planing, my buddy feels like the 81 planes and accelerates better than his 82, which was his favourite board. So I would not worry at all - the final prototype of the 87 was just amazing, so I think you will be more than satisfied!