Need Help with a Drawlength Guess

[c'ville]

Hey guys and gals,

My girlfriend told me the other night that she would like to learn to shoot a longbow. She won't be able to draw any of mine even to her drawlength, and I love any excuse to make a bow (im sure you know the feeling) so I am just going to make her a light weight one.  My only question is what drawlength to measure it at to get the weight right for her.  I don't want to actually measure her because I would like it to be a surprise.  She is 5' 3" so do any of you with any experience building short bows have a guess a what her draw length might be?  Im not looking for exact science or anything just a range would be nice as Ive never built a bow except for ones with a 28in draw.  Thanks for any help.

Shoot Straight,
Jake

[John Scifres]

Make her first one 30# at 28" and she'll settle on a drawlength.  If she needs more weight, you have another excuse to make a bow.

[c'ville]

Thanks John, I like where your heads at.

[Jake Fr]

must agree with john pluss she can work on form and such lil stuff that makes the big differances while you go over the top on a new one but becare full you makeing her bows could turn in to like girls owning purses they never have just one or two and you'd never get get outa the shop      

[George Tsoukalas]

For my daughter I make them as tall as she is. The draw length  will fit right in. Jawge

[George Tsoukalas]

Then when the bow is tillered to about 23 in and 25# let her draw it. If she draws to 29" you can immidately start her another one. LOL. Jawge

[George Tsoukalas]

Is tis a selfbow?

[7 Lakes]

Put a yardstick & hold it from her center chest straight out.  Have her clap/clasp her hands on the yardstick and read the inch mark where her longest fingers meet.  This should put the arrow just under her eye while shooting or pretty close.

[c'ville]

Thanks guys.  George, it is either going to be an osage selfbow or a rawhide backed cherry.  I have them started and I'll probably keep building both and see what the bows decide.  I'll be sure to post them.

[c'ville]

Haha Jake, if it turns into the way she is with clothes I could be in trouble

[Colorado Joe]

measure her long sleeve shirt then add more for her hands