"step on the ball" there right rudder. Sounds familiar.
I'm new to bowmaking too. Also just finishing up my second board bow.
Outer 2/3 is stiffer to my eye too. Good point about the shorter string, I had a gut feeling the long strings were deceiving too, glad Roy spelled it out for us. I file nocks very early on and made a long 18 strand flemish string with a loop on one, timber hitch (bowyers knot) on the other. Fit any bow length or strength I'll make.