I happen to like short longbows, I shoot a 58" now.  Over this past weekend I had the opporunity to shoot a 56" bow and it shot very well.  In talking with the bowyer he stated the bow has a 16" riser and short working limb.  What are the pros and cons of this type of set up?  I always thought a long working limb was a benefit but after shooting this 56" bow I may be wrong.  Looking for some feedback before I take a step and order a new bow.
Thanks
ALDO

The con of a long riser and short limbs is stacking.  If you have a short draw it's not a problem.  I made a bow similar to what you are talking about.  It stacked at 26" and the limbs let loose after a couple of months.  Very fast though.  Dick

I thought stacking was more related to a limbs design than length?

Stacking generally occurs when the string gets to a 45 degree or close angle to the limb tips. It could also occur in an extremely short working area in the limb.

God bless, Steve

Thanks Dick, my draw is only 25.5" and the bow I shot pulled well to that length, it may have been a pound heavier than my currect bow but didn't seem to be an issue.  The other thing I noticed becasuse of the shorter bow was that the string did not interfere with my chest when I drew.  My current 58" does and I have to keep the bow to less of a cant when I shoot.  
ALDO

Looks like another centaur is in your future. Mine too.

The advantages of a short working limb is that you have less mass moving forward, and less mass weight in the limb to stop.... the disadvantage is getting an archer with long draw length and over stressing the limbs.

a lot depends on the design of the limb, and exactly where that working limb is located in relation to the fades or wedge. The taper rate of the cores, and how much preload is built into the limb are determining factors also.

Who ever came up with the statement "Cores don't matter" in a fiberglass or carbon backed bow is a silly rabbit.

Kirk

Thanks Kirk,
Appreciate the input.

Good info Kirk!

for me the longer the working limb the smoother the bow feels. However, I do like to hunt with short bows.

I don't think it is as easy as " short bows more stack" etc.  Depends on ,   well,  everything.  The whole design really.
ChuckC