Interesting, the manual definitely says the knot should face the mast. I guess that's wrong! I tried having the knot face aft with no luck. The boat is actually pitched forward on it's cradles - I don't think I could tip it forward much more.

So you're saying to literally grab pliers and bend the tiny little ring forward (away from the knot)? Or are you saying bend it between the shackle and the ring?