Bare Shaft Planing Test

(Finger release - RF, CF)

In addition to tuning, the bare shaft test is also useful for determining if the correct shaft has been selected. If the left/right adjustments outlined under "Fishtailing" do not cause the unfletched shafts to group with or very near the fletched shafts, then a weaker or stiffer spined shaft (based on where the arrows have impacted) must be selected. Arrows that do not fly well and do not group tightly are usually affected by one or more of the following problems:

1. They may PORPOISE in flight.

2. They may FISHTAIL in flight.

3. They may not CLEAR the bow properly as the arrow leaves the bowstring. They may also MINNOW in flight (a specific type of clearance problem).

1. Porpoising

It is important to correct for porpoising first. If the arrow leaves the bowstring with the nock too high or too low, a motion known as porpoising occurs. Porpoising is caused by an incorrect nocking point location. Use the Bare Shaft Planing Test to find the correct nocking point location. Shoot at least three fletched shafts at a distance of 15 to 20 yards (or meters). Then shoot two identically-aimed unfletched shafts. Once you get the bare shafts to impact close to the fletched arrows at 20 yards (or meters), you may want to try shooting 25-30 yards (or meters) for a finer tuning indication. If the unfletched shafts impact above the identicallyaimed fletched shafts, move the nocking point up on the bowstring until both fletched and unfletched shafts strike at the same elevation. See Fig. 10.  If the unfletched shafts impact below the identicallyaimed fletched shafts, move the nocking point down on the bowstring until the unfletched shafts hit at the same elevation or slightly lower than the fletched shafts.* To assure you have eliminated porpoising, repeat the test, shooting first the fletched, then the unfletched shafts, and make adjustments to the nocking point until both fletched and unfletched shafts impact at the same elevation.

* It is sometimes desirable to have the bare shaft impact just slightly below the identically-aimed fletched shafts. Bare shafts that impact above identically-aimed fletched shafts indicate a low nocking point. If the nocking point is too low, it may force the arrow fletching down into the arrow rest, creating Clearance problems. Nocking point too low* Nocking point too high*

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