Too Old, perhaps I is, perhaps I aint.

There's never a simple answer to such a complex question.
In any event, a picture is said to be worth a thousand words...I just looked through all my Daytona pictures, but I was disappopinted to find that I didn't take any stern shots of these tabs.
I remember remarking "Hey, those are interesting tabs" to Dean about these exact flex tabs in question. I saw one actuate to about half-down and they do flex to a pronounced curved shape. I'm certain they work well in transitioning airflow and compressing it at the stern exit. From the way they felt, I'd imagine that they are more forgiving in an abrupt water impact...They will bend to absorb shock.