I guess I have missed something here. Probably have not read everything very carefully, because there is so MUCH to read.

I understand why you want to make the masts all equal in weight. What I don't yet understand is why the equalizing weight has to be put at the TOP of the mast. Why can't you have a strip of something that goes all the way up the mast or why can't you just use a halyard lined with lead (for those that use a halyard)? Well, you know what I mean -- distribute the weight.

Sorry for asking the question AGAIN. It's the TOP (or TIP) thing that I don't understand.