jon, I think the killer was that last 1/4", I had 16 1/2" draw from 30", 1 1/2" past half the length, I got greedy and thought maybe i'd get 17",middle 8" was 1 1/8" wide and straight taper to a point, no cut in nocks just a slip knot and a bowyers knot with some half hitches, I did trap the back, I still think I could get 22" with a 42" board, deflex it slightly and flip the tips and get 45#