Dennis,
I swapped my classic 6 tail for an 8 tail last year. My reason was to add the counterbalance for racing speeds. In talking with Van's staff, sounds like some later 6 kits actually came with an 8 tail, so its a straight forward swap, if you decide to go that way. My experience was that it was a simple change, and even my tail fairing fit the new VS pretty well.
As far as performance changes go, I think it slowed me a knot or two (perhaps due to the 5" taller tail), and I actually feel like I need a tad
more right rudder than before (still can't quite figure that...thought it would be the opposite, and neither had/has fixed tabs). As for being stiffer...maybe...a
little...but my 6 is heavier and longer than stock anyway...and I'd not doubt my pal Smokey on that assessment. It does feel a little lighter than the 7's I've flown, FWIW.
I really like the classic tail looks too...but I'd never call my new tail gangly!
![Stick out tongue :p :p](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
Truth be told, I wish I'd done what Dave Anders did on his 4 and Greg Nelson did on his F1 Rocket: Build a 4 or 6 tail with a rudder counterbalance engineered and built in! Classic look, good speed, and counterbalance ta-boot! A fair bit of work though!
Here's some pics for comparison:
Before:
During:
After:
Before:
After:
Does that make the call any easier?
Cheers,
Bob