Hey fellas-

Question:  Been thinking/reading Ashby study on EFOC.  I am coming in around 19.25%. I can bareshaft (out to 30 yds) with a 31.5" GT trad with 250gr. up front out of my BW 55# @ 31". Dr. A is saying that with the higher FOC we do not need as much fletching.  I am sure he is right. . . just curious if any of you have experimented with this?

Wind can be an issue here in KS and hunt other Plains states I hunt.  Dr. A has me thinking of trying really short and low profile fletching- like 3- 4" parabolics.  

What do you think?

Thanks in advance
Dan in KS
Merry CHRISTmas

KSdan,
I have hand loaded some 30-32% UFOC arrows and used three 3 inch banana cut turkey feathers.  From my experience the high FOC helps bareshaft tuning. If the arrow bareshafts well then the less feathers are needed to stabilize the arrow.  And less feathers create less weight on the nock end creating high FOC.

BUT....It works well if your mechanics are exactly the same everytime.  Larger feathers are more forgiving allowing you to get away with a bad (mechanically) shot.

I don't know if wind will be a factor either way.  

Others with more experience can help you further.

I was pondering the same thing and thought about trying 4 3" feathers

If I am not mistaken,  I believe Dr. Ashby liked using 4 3" feathers.  

What I have noticed with short feathers is that the shorter they are the less helical the are...at least with my fletching jig.

Yep the small feathers work great and are less affected by wind with less surface area. I have used the small 2 inch ryzer feathers with great results . Dr. Ashby and O.L. came up with a feather shape they like also called the A&A fletch . This is a low profile short feather with a 90 degree back witch is very quiet . Hope this helps. Drew