Doug,

A tapered Spar (Mast) held in rig by a fore stay, a back stay, Upper
star'b an Port Shrouds and Inter medium shrouds/ with spreaders are sure
as hell more than capable of supporting a man. Very often, in racing
circles, you will see a man sent aloft to look for wind sitting on the
upper spreaders. This is the type of strength the topping lift can
deliver to a hoist. A boom vang cannot.

Give it up Doug, the horse is dead, beating it won't help. Bury it.

Ole Thom