Backing question

[mhunziger]

Hello,
Quick question, Can the backing be put on the front instead of the back? I'm throwing together some very expendable red oak board bows that are going to get beat in the bottom of a boat, and have never used a fabric backing before. I figure if your using camo fabric why not have it on the front.

[adb]

What are you designating between "back" & "front?"

[Hillbilly]

If you don't put it on the back of the bow, it's not a backing. The back of a bow is under tension load, the belly is under compression. The purpose of a backing is to keep the bow from failing in tension, i.e. to keep the back from breaking. If your boards have good grain and are tillered well, they may not need a backing. If you're asking about putting a purely cosmetic backing that isn't adding tension strength on the belly as well as the back, it should work as long as the compression doesn't loosen it.

[mhunziger]

Ah thanks hillbilly that helps, I thinking in my mind  along the lines of cosmetic, and it being light enough not to comprisise my weight and performance too much.
At the same time having it as a backing for tension.
Of course it never comes out how I mean it to come out.
Thanks