In feathers: are 12 inches equal to 12 inches?

[DanielB89]

I am wondering if you guys think that 3-4" feathers will have the same stabilizing power as 4 - 3" feathers?  

Sorry if this seems silly, I am just considering going to 4 3" as i bought 300 of them recently and they are lower cut, so I think I would get better trajectory out of them.  


Any thoughts?

[monterey]

I have always thought that it would be equal.  I subscribe to the surface area view, so if the surface area is equal it's probably going to stabilize the same.

I would be willing to bet there are not even a handful of guys good enough to actually tell any difference at all!

Bisch

[M60gunner]

In one of my old Bowhunters Digest there is an article on just this subject. The author and his companion shot arrows with both configurations in a crosswind. He claimed the 4 fletch, 3 in feathers never wavered.

[LoneWolf73]

great Physics question but I believe the difference would be small.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Is 12 inches really 12 inches?  If you ask a guy, then it is, if you ask his girl friend she will say "awwwe,, of course it is honey".    

I have to agree with Bisch on this one.  a lot will have to do with feather cut but the differences are so small you will never notice it.

[ChuckC]

weigh them.  If they were rectangular so every portion of that 3 or 4 or 5 inches is the same height, then you could easily know, but they are cut.  A lot depends on the style and depth of the cut as to whether they have the same "wind catching" ability.  

That said, I have experimented with different sized feathers and find that for field points I couldn't tell the difference.  A big broadhead MIGHT bring out a difference.  

You also might consider the immediate stabilizing effect of large feathers and the lack ( relatively) of wind catching ( side wind) on the smaller ones.  I have had heavy side winds blow my arrows almost sidewise on a shot numerous times.

ChuckC

[H1tman7]

I personally shoot 3 feathers on my shafts, however for simply stabilizing power 4 feathers might have some advantage...

having 4 feathers with the same surface area as 3 and having them mounted starting at the same distance from the knock would increase their leverage relative to the center of gravity on the shaft.  IE: the more of the surface area is further back on the shaft.  

The area exposed to crosswind as the shaft rotates or corrects from a stiff or weak condition should also be more consistent.

[Mark R]

If I find 3" feathers for an insanely low price or for free I use 4 instead of three,they fly great for me, but three 3" I find are not as stabile  as four 3" or three 5".

[Brianlocal3]

I shoot them and find them to stabilize just fine. BUT I know you are a tournament shoot like myself so just remember, I don't think 3" feathers are illegal in IBO, just like in your strike plate thread, make sure if your gonna shoot IBO your within the legal limits. For all other shooting have at it

[DanielB89]

Originally posted by Brianlocal3:
I shoot them and find them to stabilize just fine. BUT I know you are a tournament shoot like myself so just remember, I don't think 3" feathers are illegal in IBO, just like in your strike plate thread, make sure if your gonna shoot IBO your within the legal limits. For all other shooting have at it

I had no idea!!  you're telling me that certain length feathers aren't legal?  That is insane!

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I don't think you are going to see a lot of difference unless you are flight shooting , or shooting real long distances. the 4 fletch is going to have more drag on the arrow.... I prefer a low profile 4" fletch and fine tune my arrows prior to fletching..... one less fletch to get screwed up in your quiver too.

[Cwilder]

I've been shooting 4 3" feathers for a bit now I have no problems with broad head flight

[BAK]

Hardly "insane" at all.  Without those rules someone will always be trying to come up with an "edge".

[DanielB89]

Originally posted by BAK:
Hardly "insane" at all.  Without those rules someone will always be trying to come up with an "edge".

how would that give someone an edge?  

Wouldn't shorter feathers would be less forgiving; making the shooter have to be better than someone with longer feathers.  The edge would be shooting what you want.  Thats like putting a restriction on how much your arrow can weigh.  A lighter arrow is definitely an "edge".

[Brianlocal3]

Daniel
Yea, I'm pretty positive of it bud. I re-did the shelf on my Titan riser when when implemented the enforcement of no felt pads on the strike plate rule.
I don't know why they are there but I want to play the game so I follow the rules.

I'm not a fan of the minimum 450 grain rule in vintage hunter class as my 28" 2016's with 125 up front weigh in at 415 I believe so that rules me out

[DanielB89]

Brian,
Where can o see these rules?

[JJY]

http://www.ibo.net/pdf/2015/2015%20Trad%20Rules.pdf