One other reason I prefer not to have heavy hardware on my genoa sheets
is
that a knot to the clew seems not to hang up while tacking with a staysail
inter stay. Especially in lite air.
**** Try using a 'buntline' instead of a bowline.... a square rig
sailor would never tie a bowline in a clew.

My staysail has a single row of reef points. I'm considering some additional
re-enforcements and use this as my 'poormans' storm staysail. It would be
about the right size.

I also use a downhaul on my staysail but it is called a Modified Gerr
Downhaul. In addition to hauling down the luff, it also gathers the clew up
to the gathered luff.
****Could you explain a little bit more on the Modif. Gerr Downhaul.