short longbows??

[ChuckC]

Don't let anyone tease you into thinking a particular bow isn't a bow ( well, 'cept a crossbow).  

Bows are tools, designed to do something.  If you need a 1/4" nut turned, you don't grab a 1/2" wrench, and if you grab an adjustable wrench, you get something that does OK at a lot of things, but not really great at anything.

If you are 5'6" tall, you will by default have a smaller draw than a much taller person.  Getting the most out of that shorter draw needs a bow that is made FOR that smaller draw.

Sounds like a shorter bow, be it "long" or "recurved" might just be the tool that works its best for you.  An established and accomplished bowyer can make a bow that works in your parameters.

Give one a try and report back on how it works.
ChuckC

[**DONOTDELETE**]

The biggest factor to take into consideration on a short long bow is the string angle at full draw. The limb design makes a huge difference.

Take a look at this Sasquatch hybrid long bow. The limb is designed very much like a semi static tip recurve, only it has deep core narrow limbs.

The amount of limb travel getting to full draw makes a huge difference on the string angle where your fingers are on the string..... This 60" bow can draw to 32" with a better string angle than many 64" bows do.

I've built these down to 56" for guys with shorter draw lengths and got some serious performance gains too.

 

[Doc Nock]

I've read the reviews of those short draw/short bow guys Kirk bows.

While i seldom can fully appreciate all that he shares of the science behind things, over the years, I've come to recognize it's not "theory" but he builds it into his design and bows and the performance is incredible.

I have a couple bows that collect dust and just shoot my SAS lb now with a custom built handle that finally, finally, I have a bow that fits me and how I shoot.