I've considered similar ideas and some say that the proximity of the wires together may upset the balance of Space Time. Kind of when you use a fan dipole. Why does it have to have spreaders? Why can't the wires just be closer?

Just for your own sanity, make it easy to disassemble so you can get to the insides any time you need to. There may well be quite a bit more experimentation than you are bargaining for.

Is there something you can put on the end of each wire so that it will truly be easier on the tuner? Half wave inductor? I dunno at this point but if a bicycle wheel reflector can work on VHF ..........................