I think the origin of the beak design date back to the partnership with Moses and SlingShot with the ghost whisper foil.
The beak was a half tuttle (Chinook) head so it fit in the Wizard line of boards from SlingShot.
Moses also sold it with there brand logo both in the 101 and 111 the beak head is definitely faster to mount on your board butt yes if the board as a vee in front of the fin box the beak will flatten the board. I use the the beak style of head on my boards butt I make my boards so they are flat in front of the box along with a wood stringer a 1/8 wide in all of my boards. This allows me to tighten it down very tight so it is locked down.
Yes it's a old design and tracks are the new thing so they will get kicked to the curb one day butt for the 2021 season i'll be riding the beak 111cm as far as the balance adjustment thing I haven't had a problem so I guess I'm blessed.
Yes it is wise to pick a matched set as this will let you get more time on the water and improve faster . I feel the same about wasting time on fiddling around with all these adjustment. I like to just jump on it and go.