Draw length is defined as the length of your draw as measured from the back of the bow to the bottom of the nock at full draw.
Get somebody to help you. Draw the bow with an arrow on it. Have somebody mark the arrow at the back of the bow when you have come to full draw. Then let down and measure the arrow. This is your draw length.
Your draw length will change based on your release style, and how much weight you are pulling. I don’t believe you will be happy with anything less than a 66 inch bow (r/d style) or 68 inch (straight long bow).
find a bow that looks good to you, and then just ask the bowyer to make a bow for you. You may not have gotten many responses because these guys deal with tire kickers all the time. If you commit to a serious discussion of purchasing his bow, you will get a better response.
All you need to do is tell them your draw length (measured as previously described) and what weight you want at that length. The rest is easy peasy.
As for arrows… I would suggest you stick with carbon until you get good with whatever bow you end up with. Don’t try to challenge yourself with too much stuff too fast.
And don’t worry yourself about the “physics” of it. Whatever bowyer you settle on will guide you through arrow selection. That’s part of the perks of dealing with a custom bow maker.
