Fitting cleats to Carbon fibre mast and spar

Carbon fibre, Stainless steel and Aluminum are dissimilar compounds and if bolted together without using an inhibitor between them the Carbon fibre and Aluminum will slowly degrade. This is called electrolytic de-composition, and this is the same problem as when using Stainless steel fastenings on aluminum spars etc. Important note- most mast manufactures would not recommend you drill any holes in your mast or spar but this is not practical for most sailors these days. There are a lot of opinions out there on the forums etc. and different methods of attaching our products. Using a dissimilar material bonding adhesive like Plexus is popular. We recommend leaving this to the experts because, if not completed correctly this could lead to damage to the structural strength of your spars. So, after taking advice from several carbon fibre spar manufactures, this is what we would advise. 1/ Put masking tape on the spar, on the area where the cleat will be fitted. Mark out and tape the product into position and reeve the cleat to ensure it is in the correct place. Go through all the scenarios that you would use the cleat for, again, to ensure it is in the best position.   2/ Drill the holes using a sharp drill bit without applying to much pressure as this can create a problem when the drill bit breaks through the inner surface. Too much pressure can damage the inside of the hole and the fibre weave.   3/ Create a plastic backing pad to go between the aluminum cleat and the carbon fibre (the retail card the cleat comes on is ideal) or a thin piece of plastic shaped to the cleat, drilled with the 2 fixing holes. Also make 2 x plastic washers the same size or larger than the 2 x S/S washers you will use to secure the cleat. A paper hole punch works well to punch out the centre holes. 4/... For the full fitting advice click below