Brian, I use a really deep hook and if I set the feathers too close to the nock sometimes my fingers hit the feathers as the string pulls out. Some say I'm crazy, but I've gotten a better release by moving them a bit further away from the nock. But, the further back you put them towards the nock, theoretically the better for steerage.
Love splices too...just haven't figured out how to make them durable.
I'm with ya tippit, the shorter feathers aren't bothered as much by soakings as the tall fletch.