Do you pass the tail of the dousing line (at the upper most dousing point) through a ring and then tie a knot to keep it from passing through? The F-18 spinnakers that I have seen pass the end of the dousing line through the sail via a small grommet and tie a knot on the other side of the spinnaker. Whatever strategy you use, it doesn't sound like you need to replace the rings - just make sure that your attachment to the uppermost dousing point doesn't come loose. The bundle of material that forms at the upper dousing point won't pass through the lower rings no matter how large they are... Any help???