After reading about the pros of soft shackles I made up one for headsail sheets per attached using 8 mm and it is perfect for the number 1 BUT would not go through the jib cringle due to the small size . So I made up another with 6 mm. Today I went out with the number 1 up and because the winds were only 5/10 kn. used the 6 mm sheet. All was fine until the wind dropped out and the hanging clew caught against the lifeline .
I gave it a shake and the damm shackle parted from the sail presumably because the cringle was too big for 6 mm. allowing it to slacken off .
Back to bowline.