RE: How much louder are feathers???
I have shot both, been kind of going back and forth lately, and I really don't think there is much difference in noise. Feathers will be quieter than a vane if there is any damage though, and you can shoot feathers even if they are a little buggered up, where vanes don't do well if they are damaged. As faras steerage, I shoot 4" vanes right now, and I put a wicked helical on them so steering now is great on my arrows. As far as FOC, the difference in minimal between the two, not enough to make a difference IMO.