Mine really does not run that well in flat water, to much chine walk at high speed. I like 3-4' chop, much more fun to drive in (passengers don't like it much).I have tabs but don't see the need to use them unless I have some friends on board and need to smooth the ride out. The chine walk is easy to steer out of but the hull likes a little air. It defintely cleaned my transom up. I don't know about fuel consumption, when the tank gets down to a 1/4, I just re-fill it.